Info On Large Gold Movado “Calatrava” With Fancy Teardrop Lugs

Laharrier · Dec 31, 2018

Spotted this beauty recently at a local antique store. I love the dial and the fancy lugs. Have seen this case on other watches but never with this dial. The shop owner hasn’t much info.

Anyone have any ideas on age? It’s about 36.5mm so a bit larger than I’m used to for a gold dress watch from the 40’s-60’s.

Also curious on how much I should offer to purchase.

Thanks gents

Maybe · Jan 1, 2019

Im thinking like this: the watch is in great condition and that also makes it more expensive. If you can open it and see if its a bumper movement, its probably more of a 40s than 60s watch. Sometimes you can bargain gold dress watches but be prepared to pay minimum 1000 usd up to how much you want it.

Laharrier · Jan 2, 2019

Maybe
Im thinking like this: the watch is in great condition and that also makes it more expensive. If you can open it and see if its a bumper movement, its probably more of a 40s than 60s watch. Sometimes you can bargain gold dress watches but be prepared to pay minimum 1000 usd up to how much you want it.

Thanks! My thoughts too. It’s a cool watch - seller is asking for $1900, which considering condition is probably a fair ask.

Syrte · Jan 2, 2019

In style and design, I’d say late 40s to very early 50s. 1948-1951.

Tony C. · Jan 2, 2019

I am skeptical of dial originality, as that "Automatic" signature is unfamiliar to me. In fact, it looks more like a '50s Longines signature.

Now, I could be wrong, but would need to see some other examples in order to be convinced.

This was a typical bumper dial signature:

X350 XJR · Jan 2, 2019

Laharrier
Thanks! My thoughts too. It’s a cool watch - seller is asking for $1900, which considering condition is probably a fair ask.

Does the OP even know it the case is signed?

Is the second hand missing it's tail, both of the watches Tony posted have tails?

Even if the dial were original I'd say closer to $1000-$1250 than to $1900. If it were a chronometer perhaps more.

Laharrier · Jan 2, 2019

X350 XJR
Does the OP even know it the case is signed?

Is the second hand missing it's tail, both of the watches Tony posted have tails?

Even if the dial were original I'd say closer to $1000-$1250 than to $1900. If it were a chronometer perhaps more.

Yep, no tail on the seconds hand. Thought that a bit odd too. The case does match others I’ve seen, but the dial appears somewhat unique.

ConElPueblo · Jan 3, 2019

Tony C.
I am skeptical of dial originality, as that "Automatic" signature is unfamiliar to me. In fact, it looks more like a '50s Longines signature.

My thoughts too. When a dial is that pristine, extra scrutiny is required.

Helvetia History · Jan 3, 2019

Seconds hands with an arrow pointer like that on the end often had no tail so that is not necessarily a bad sign, I don't know enough to comment on the font.