Community Stories

1930s and 1940s Movado dials

DirtyDozen12
Posts
2,770
Likes
4,816
I am starting this thread following a discussion that began here. I imagine that this thread could serve as a place to discuss Movado dials from the 1930s and 1940s.

To continue the aforementioned discussion, immediately below is an image of a watch/dial, posted by @themattedial, that @Modest_Proposal expressed skepticism about. Further below are other examples and a catalog image that were posted to illustrate various features.

x1513441-dc104e4a9c6ec9ce97b9ce649883292f.jpg.pagespeed.ic.csXAe-G2I0.webp
https://omegaforums.net/threads/fab-suisse-roll-call.20625/page-7#post-2084779

I posted this example to show what I see as one of the typical variants of a 1940s outer track.
x1513740-ee490c11e9d8324626240b5882aa7509.jpg.pagespeed.ic.ZvjfzdBGld.webp
https://watchestobuy.com/images/Movado1940b.JPG

I posted this example to show a less typical but seemingly original outer track, where the long markings do not touch the inner circle as they do on the previous example.
x1513741-e0946a435c1d7bcc991dcfb852bc5cf4.jpg.pagespeed.ic.3DPjrXYCJQ.webp
https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/855128792/1940s-vintage-movado-calendomatic-wrist

@Modest_Proposal posted this example to show a similar handest to the first example, but with a counterpoise on the second hand.
x1513752-297ca7c2358234379bcb6d76cbcfe97b.jpg.pagespeed.ic.EsHZSXEet7.webp


@themattedial post this catalog image to show other examples (in addition to the first example in this thread) of dials with hour markers that consist of "pyramids" or squares and a printed line that connects them to the outer track.
x1513762-c25cb777b6f9026e4b95ff3ca51a28b2.jpg.pagespeed.ic.4-MQy7ZaIp.webp
https://omegaforums.net/threads/fab-suisse-roll-call.20625/page-8#post-2084939

@themattedial posted this example to show a similar handset to the first example in this thread.
x1513765-123b71dadd5ac16c76b7f9b0a5a1107a.jpg.pagespeed.ic.PIO8xKVAcr.webp
https://omegaforums.net/threads/fab-suisse-roll-call.20625/page-8#post-2084941

I posted this example to show a similar dial to the examples in the catalog.
x1513766-97378f0d0432c9ddec0ef4e5ca547416.jpg.pagespeed.ic.0y0VqF0dtG.webp
https://www.watchnet.co.jp/en/item/view/1909
Edited by a mod:
 
Tony C.
Posts
7,685
Likes
26,646
I'm skeptical of the originality of the Chronometre dial. It would be nice to see the rest of the watch, but it is, in a number of respects, unlike any Movado Chronometre that I have seen. There are other issues, that were touched on by others in the original thread.

As for this:

themattedial themattedial
For example, here’s an example of a Movado catalog from the 40s with two examples that have pyramid shaped markers with lines extending to the outer track

I'd like to see an example with applied, or embossed markers, as I cannot recall having seen one.
 
themattedial
Posts
416
Likes
2,849
Tony C. Tony C.
I'm skeptical of the originality of the Chronometre dial. It would be nice to see the rest of the watch, but it is, in a number of respects, unlike any Movado Chronometre that I have seen. There are other issues, that were touched on by others in the original thread.

As for this:



I'd like to see an example with applied, or embossed markers, as I cannot recall having seen one.

One example was posted to the thread above by @DirtyDozen12 and here’s an example of an M95 with raised pyramid markers.
upload_2022-11-27_15-14-17.png
 
themattedial
Posts
416
Likes
2,849
I found some photos and a video of the watch I took 3 years ago… sorry the logo is obstructed by some scratches on the plexi. I’ll try to grab it from the bank this week for higher res and more detailed photos! Appreciate the scholarly chat about this watch. Would love to see if any members have catalogs from Movado prior to 1946 (the only one I could find online)

33A88833-BA91-4F57-9BF9-2363B3D5BAC2.jpeg 520FC7F8-88FA-40CF-9B6F-CA0FAE9F3EDE.jpeg
 
DirtyDozen12
Posts
2,770
Likes
4,816
themattedial themattedial
One example was posted to the thread above by @DirtyDozen12 and here’s an example of an M95 with raised pyramid markers.
I think @Tony C. meant an example with embossed or applied hour markers, and the printed lines that connect them to the outer track. Hour markers that are raised/applied and pyramidal/square-shaped are certainly not unusual, but the printed lines arguably are.
 
DirtyDozen12
Posts
2,770
Likes
4,816
bubba48 bubba48
I see some dubious details
I agree, the long minute hand is a concern. I had not noticed the alignment/misalignment of "Fab. Suisse". I would still like to see other examples with "Fab. Suisse" at 6 o'clock, as it seem to be atypical for a Movado.
 
themattedial
Posts
416
Likes
2,849
DirtyDozen12 DirtyDozen12
I think @Tony C. meant an example with embossed or applied hour markers, and the printed lines that connect them to the outer track. Hour markers that are raised/applied and pyramidal/square-shaped are certainly not unusual, but the printed lines arguably are.

Ah yes! I’ll ask around and see if I can turn up some other examples or perhaps some catalogs. Either way, an interesting investigation!
 
themattedial
Posts
416
Likes
2,849
If anyone is on IG, drop me your handle and I’ll send you the video… can’t seem to upload here

for the sake of the thread I think we can all ASSUME refinish unless proven otherwise with examples.
Edited:
 
Tony C.
Posts
7,685
Likes
26,646
DirtyDozen12 DirtyDozen12
I think @Tony C. meant an example with embossed or applied hour markers, and the printed lines that connect them to the outer track.

This is correct. Furthermore, I not only agree that the length of the hands are red flags, but would also say that the margin outside of the red outer track is too wide. The combination of those two issues suggests a redial.
 
themattedial
Posts
416
Likes
2,849
What’s interesting to me is, assuming a redial, presumably the dial has these pyramid markers beforehand, so im still very interested in finding some examples of late 30s/pre-1946 caliber 75 models with raised pyramid-style markers
 
DirtyDozen12
Posts
2,770
Likes
4,816
themattedial themattedial
What’s interesting to me is, assuming a redial, presumably the dial has these pyramid markers beforehand, so im still very interested in finding some examples of late 30s/pre-1946 caliber 75 models with raised pyramid-style markers
Yes, I think that the raised hour markers would have originally been part of the dial. I suppose that the dial could have been swapped and refinished, but I am starting to notice that many Movado dials from the 1940s (based on style) have raised hour markers.

Here are two examples with foil hour markers.
upload_2022-11-27_22-36-15.png upload_2022-11-27_22-38-24.png

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1542392931...VSJQ7JQPZvljnIWAH3_vggIw3jmn6KYYaAiUvEALw_wcB
upload_2022-11-27_22-41-4.png upload_2022-11-27_22-41-51.png

https://cda.chronomania.net/forum_entry.php?id=199933&PHPSESSID=4416a8e1e0a956d0b80f7358a66eba76

And here are a couple of examples with somewhat similar case designs.

upload_2022-11-27_22-47-21.png upload_2022-11-27_22-48-54.png

http://www.db1983.com/our-archive/movado-oversized-three-tone-40mm-1938?imageID=0
upload_2022-11-27_22-49-23.png

https://www.instagram.com/p/CfUQ9J4OV5T/
 
This website may earn commission from Ebay sales.
Tony C.
Posts
7,685
Likes
26,646
themattedial themattedial
Found a 30mm example from ‘45 in a borgel case with raised markers — no lines to the outer track on this one.

Yes, and the hands appear to be the correct length, in contrast to the Chronometre dial in question.

I would also add that while the Chronometre and Movado printing look very good, that style (i.e. the curved "Chronometre) was rarely used by Movado, and especially so on round wristwatches. This one is a relatively early model:

MovCrv3.jpg


and this was even earlier:

MovChr5.jpg


These were not *true*, certified chronometres, as they were designated in-house, and not sent to Observatories for official certification. Movado's certified, manual-wind wristwatch chronometres from the '50s were powered by cal. 126 movements, and, to my knowledge, invariably featured this type of (horizontal) chronometre designation:

MovChr4.jpg


There were also some pocket watches with the curved variation, but they were rarely employed on wristwatches.

So, we have a dial design that appears to be anomalous in some respects, and unique in others. It is arguably too clean to have been produced >70 years ago, and the hands do not appear to be the correct length. In my view, all roads seem to lead to the redial conclusion.
Edited:
 
themattedial
Posts
416
Likes
2,849
Yeah I also found a dirth of examples with the curved text variation, and all seemed to be from the late 30s or prior and with different signature styles.

I think we're well convinced it's a redial, so I'm now more curious about exploring what it might have been prior to the redial.. especially with raised markers. I'm eager to get to the bank to see what clues I can find inside the case and if that might lead me to any catalogs or other examples from the same period.

I also wasn't able to find any Movado examples with Fab. Suisse at 6, but did find several such examples by Patek (ref. 2508)

Nor was I able to locate any example missing the counterpoise on the seconds hand.. so I'm eager to look at it under a loop to see if it may have been modified in any way.

42_001.jpg
 
20 More Posts...
Sign up or log in to reply...

Similar threads

bazamu

Movado Datron 14K Solid Gold

bazamu Private Watch Sales
bazamu
bazamu
Posts
1
Views
6K
Dan S

Vintage 1930s Cyma Sport in rectangular clamshell case

Dan S Private Watch Sales
Dan S
Dan S
Posts
2
Views
4K
bardamu

[REDUCED] 1930s Universal Genève Cairelli stopwatch

bardamu Private Watch Sales
bardamu
bardamu
Posts
9
Views
7K
Hensley

Need Help! 1930s~1940s R17.8 17 Jewels

Hensley Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
Hensley
Hensley
Posts
16
Views
3K
t_swiss_t

Movado M95 Chronograph - FB Facet Case and Stern Dial (19058)

t_swiss_t Private Watch Sales
t_swiss_t
t_swiss_t
Posts
1
Views
3K
slique12

Movado Triple Calendar ref 14820 circa 1940s

slique12 Private Watch Sales
cristos71
cristos71
Posts
20
Views
17K