Movado
Movado was founded in 1881 under the name LAI Ditescheim in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland by Achille Ditesheim, one of three brothers and a gifted watchmaker who set up his business with just 6 employees, manufacturing pocket watches by hand. During this time, the company operated under the name “L.A.&l. Ditesheim, fabricants”, after the three brothers: Léopold, Achille and Isidore. It later became L. A. I. Ditisheim & Frère when another, unnamed, brother joined. The company grew so quickly that by 1897, the workforce had increased to 80 employees. This is definitely an extraordinary achievement when you consider that in those same years, watchmakers of the likes of LeCoultre employed 100, meanwhile Audemars Piguet had just 10 watchmakers. The hard work paid off and by 1905, the company had gone on to manufacture wristwatches and changed its name to Movado, meaning “always in motion” in the international language of Esperanto.
Over the coming years, Movado watches received acclaim around the world at different trade fairs for their introduction of 8 ligne wristwatch movements. The introduction of the Polyplan watch in 1912 took the watch community by storm, and these watches are highly sought after at auction today.
Movado now create watches for a number of large fashion houses such as Hugo Boss, Juicy Couture and Scuderia Ferrari as well as their own luxury collection.
Description
Here we have a wonderful previously restored Movado gentleman’s dress watch from c1958 with a beautiful ruby studded dial. This is a classic and an excellent 1950s example of some of the outstanding work Movado created. This watch shows hardly any signs of ageing, which is one of the reasons we have to decided to leave this watch alone.
The Dial
This dial is beautifully symmetrical, well balanced and proportioned. The dial itself, in slightly off-white, contrasts wonderfully with the pink gold case, original gilt ‘index’ hands with pink gold ‘2 – 4 – 6 – 8- 10 -12’ Arabic numerals with ruby stud hour indices between. It is signed with ‘Movado’ at the very top below 12 with ‘Switzerland’ at the very bottom below 6 and also has the addition of a subsidiary seconds dial in the lower half. The dial is in absolutely superb condition. Typically, a dial of this age will suffer from fading, staining, pitting, spotting and scratches, but this dial looks simply wonderful.
This watch has been previously restored to a very high standard and still remains in tip-top condition.
The Movement
The Movado Cal.470, 15 Jewel hand-wound movement fitted to this watch was one of Movados most successful movements, remaining in production for over 20 years.
Manufactured by Movado in the 1920s, the Movado Cal.470 movement is very highly regarded for its accuracy and reliability, making this watch perfectly suited for everyday use as well as evening wear. The movement is in tip-top condition having been overhauled and serviced by our vintage specialist watchmaker which means it has been completely disassembled to all its component parts, carefully inspected under high magnification and replacement where necessary with only genuine Movado parts before careful reassembly and adjustment and calibration. The watch winds, sets and runs perfectly accurately and reliably within +6 seconds per day, averaged over 5 positions which is excellent for any watch of this age and has been confirmed on our electronic watch timegrapher. The movement also has an excellent 36-hour power reserve when fully wound. We are therefore more than confident in offering 12 months’ warranty with this watch movement*.
The movement is correctly signed ‘Movado’, ‘Swiss Made’ and ‘15 Fifteen Jewels’, and carries the Calibre 470, along with the movement reference number 670 which dates this watch to c1958.
*Please note – our 12 months’ warranty is only applicable if the list price is paid.
The Case
The totally original, 18ct pink gold case measures 36mm in diameter, excluding the crown. The case is of a heavy two-piece design with a press-fit case-back and carries attractive swept back lugs. The overall impression is of a classic late 1950s design. It is solid, elegant and of obvious very high quality.
This watch case has been carefully inspected for fatigue marks and there are none. It is very rigid and the case-back and bezel are a nice tight fit. Importantly, it is of full thickness and has never been inscribed.
Inside the press-fit case-back, we find all the markings are correct and as expected with 18K and 0.750 and a hand holding a watch, a trademark that appears in many Movado watch cases. The case-back also carries the serial number R490670 and and the model number R4764.
As ever, our standard advice applies: Vintage watches should be kept clean and dry at all times.
The Strap and Buckle
The watch is fitted with a new, high quality burgundy leather strap with a Movado plated buckle. We feel this matches the case nicely and lifts the watch. However, if a different colour or style of strap is preferred, please let us know and we will do our best to oblige free of charge. We carry Tan, Conker, Dark Brown and Black in stock and in plain padded leather, or crocodile skin or lizard skin. For a wider selection, please take a look at the wonderful choice of straps offered by our suppliers, Watch Obsession. We will be pleased to order and fit the strap of your choice, within 24 – 48 hours.
The Box and Papers
Although there are no original papers with this watch, the numbers and markings on the watch are all correct, dating the watch to circa 1958.
Detailed particulars will be included with our purchase receipt for your interest and security. A separate insurance valuation for the replacement value of this watch will be provided at the time of sale along with our unique ‘Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee’ which states: “If this watch proves to be anything less than 100% genuine, authentic and original, a full refund will be given at any time”.
A high quality hardwood presentation box is included in the sale.
In Conclusion
A unique example of a fascinating timepiece which will undoubtedly make an excellent financial investment, as well as be something wonderful to wear, treasure and enjoy! It could make a practical watch for regular or occasional use, as you wish and if it continues to be well cared for and regularly serviced, it will provide dependable service for many decades to come.
This watch carries a great deal more style, individuality and panache than a new watch and to buy the same quality today would be difficult, at 4 or 5 times the price.
However you may wish to view this watch, as each year goes by and the world market grows ever larger, the limited supply and high demand for the finest vintage gold watches means prices will inevitably climb ever higher!
A word on our prices – We always try our hardest to acquire the very highest quality watches we can find, before then restoring them to the highest possible standards. We then offer these at the fairest prices we can, taking into account our pre and post-sales care and service. This approach means we will never be the cheapest, but nor will we be the most expensive. Indeed there are some well-known stores in West London which are highly successful charging between two to three times the price you see here. We therefore consider our prices to be good value and very fair, given the quality of watches we have to offer.
We are happy to accept payment via PayPal as this is the quickest method of payment. However, if you would like to pay by UK cheque or by bank transfer, we will be pleased to assist you with this.
Please check the import duties and any taxes your government may apply, these are different for each country and unfortunately out of our control.
We understand there may be some ‘loopholes’ that may help you avoid these charges, however attempting to use these could impact our ongoing ability to serve our growing international customer base.
For those that happen to visit the UK on occasion we are of course more than happy to store your watch until we can meet you in our offices in Kensington, London, and your watch directly to you there.
If you have any questions please call: 0207 727 7095 or if calling from overseas: +44 207 727 7095.
Please note, we also welcome part exchanges.
Please take a look at our other vintage gold watches.
Thank you.
Andrew M via feefo 
3rd December 2024 
JLC1891 
