Movado Watches
A watch brand with a history of innovation and exceptional craftsmanship, Movado certainly needs no introduction to seasoned collectors. Founded in 1881, Movado took its name from the Esperanto word for ‘movement.’ With a stunning span of wristwatches, pocket watches, fob watches, travel clocks and movements during the brand’s history, these timepieces can sell exceptionally well at auction.
Movado had an exceptional output, creating movements and timepieces both under their own name as well as the likes of fine jewellers such as Cartier, Tiffany, Gübelin, Bulgari and many more. These retailed pieces feature signed Movado movements, and occasionally feature a Movado and retailer double signature.
Polyplan Watches at Auction
Movado’s Polyplan watch was patented in 1912 and is amongst the top selling Movado watches at auction. Produced from this date up until the 1930s and 40s, the slimline rectangular or elliptical case of this iconic timepiece was constructed on a curve to ergonomically fit the wrist. Early 18ct and 14ct examples of this watch are very much in demand by collectors and can fetch thousands at auction.
Movado Ermeto Travel Clocks at Auction
The Ermeto travel clock was launched by Movado in 1926, and truly encapsulates that sleek, Art Deco design. Featuring a sliding case in gold or silver, these pieces can feature an array of case detailing with engraved, polished, textured, enamelled, shagreen, and leather examples.
Movado also produced under own name and together with fine jewellers novelty timepieces, including lighter clocks, brooch watches, ring watches and many more.
Mid Century Chronographs
Throughout the 1940s and 50s, Movado produced a fantastic selection of chronograph wristwatches. Capturing a spirit of innovation and encased within sleek stainless steel, 14ct and 18ct gold cases, these Mid Century Movado watches sell exceptionally well.
During this time period, models such as the Cronoplan and Kingmatic watches were launched. Complications such as moonphases, world time capabilities and triple calendar watches can be seen from this prolific time. Most famously the brand’s ‘Calendomatic’ line which was also sold through jewellers such as Tiffany & Co. and was fairly prolific from the mid 1940s onwards.
Movado Military Watches at Auction
Movado produced military timepieces for troops from WW1 onwards, with the very first examples dating from 1914 with pierced metal covers and cushion shape cases.
Moving into World War Two, Movado created a series of both 6B/159 and 6B/234 watches for navigators and RAF pilots. The 6B/159 watches were produced by Longines, Omega, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Zenith and Movado, throughout the 1940s, issued to the RAF before the time of radar and GPS, making these timepieces crucial to operations.
The 6B/234 watches were part of a later issue by the RAF and include makers such as Movado, Bulova, Waltham and Cyma. These watches were sometimes repurposed and bear the original 6B/159 allocation scratched out. A token of military history, these watches can sell well to a field of keen collectors.
Rarer still, examples of Norwegian Air Force chronograph wristwatches from the time can reach thousands at auction.
1960s and 1970s Movado/Zenith Watches at Auction
The 1950s and early 1960s saw a huge appetite for diver’s watches, with a quick succession of diver’s watches launches including the Rolex Submariner, the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, and the Doxa Sub 300. Accordingly, Movado launched the Super Sub Sea Diver’s Chronograph in the 1960s that shared a movement with Zenith Chronographs. Zenith merged with Movado in 1969, and from this point onwards the output of Movado was focussed more upon chronograph tool watches that retain an appeal with bidders at auction.
El Primero Watches at Auction
In 1969, Zenith and Movado launched the world’s first automatic chronograph wristwatch, named ‘El Primero.’ As a gamechanger in the history of horology, the Zenith El Primero watches are hugely sought-after at auction, and all bear a Movado signature to the case back.
Our specialist Fine Jewellery & Watch auctions are held four times a year. Our department is headed by Liz Bailey who is FGA and DGA qualified, with many years experience in the industry. We offer a free watch valuations service as well as a free collection service for items consigned to these auctions.
Contact our qualified specialist Liz Bailey to find out more.
