Hi all,

I've recently started getting interested in vintage Movados (slippery slope!) and found what appears to be a nice example while browsing some auctions. While the watch has since sold, I may have a shot at purchasing it as I was the under-bidder.

My research hasn't resulted in too much but @tomvox1 helped me understand broadly the majority of vintage Movado chronographs I was seeing online: SS vs 14k vs 18k, snap back/flat pusher models vs screwed back/round pusher models, 2-register M90 vs 3-register M95, and 34mm vs 35mm vs 36mm.

This example has a 18k case, 36mm w/o crown and a cal M90. Case, movement and dial appear original and in very good condition. 18k examples also seem to be less common than other metals.

I have attached a few pictures below, would appreciate some input on authenticity, and if possible, current market value. Thanks in advance.

 

A beauty, nice dial, nice case

 

Nice watch, sold for a very fair price, and well below "dealer" prices.

 

For comparison purposes, @minutenrohr shows a similar watch in this thread: https://omegaforums.net/threads/movados.42414/page-2

If it was me, I'd hunt for an example with those unique kris subdial hands:

 

Thanks, I agree.

Thanks, Tony. Sounds like you were following it as well I feel a bit more comfortable seeing your input on the condition and price.

Ah ha, thanks for that link! I had trouble finding this dial style with red hands online. I think a Kris sub-dial hands version is in my future

 

I've recently started getting interested in vintage Movados (slippery slope!)

Is that because there are a lot of fakes or something else?

 

Looks great. Nice size, and the case is in incredible condition.

 

As someone who had never explored the brand, I was honestly a bit amazed at the quality, design and history behind vintage Movados.

I did not encounter any fakes, probably because vintage Movado is not a mainstream thing.

 

Moreover, I think that many of us are members of a generation whose initial connection to Movado was dominated by the "Museum Watch". But their old chronographs and triple-calendars were spectacular, and they made very high-quality and stylish time-only three-handers as well.

 

Movados (and specifically M95s) are awesome watches. I didn't "get it" until I handled one in-person and I was absolutely blown away by the quality relative to the prices for good examples. The current brand image is holding back vintage Movados, but I would bet the farm that it doesn't stay that way forever. Get 'em while you can!

My babies:

 

Movado is a terrific watch-nerd brand, made more affordable to vintage collectors by its transformation into a mall brand. A victim of its own success. Get a copy of this if you're interested:


Learn about the first watch truly made for the wrist... the Polyplan, from around 1915. If you don't think this watch is known to collectors, go ahead and try to buy one at auction.



And so many collectible models to follow, all the way through the Zenith years, to the early museum watches. The Ermeto. The Celestograph. The chronographs for sure, both pre- and post-Zenith merger... they are all wonderful. Movado was one of the few true chronograph houses, and the 90M and 95M were among the best. Here is my inverse panda... I wish I had a few more.



And here is the first vintage watch I ever purchased. An absolute beast

 

I was telling @slique12 that I had a shot a a nice super sub Sea a few years back. I regret not pulling the trigger.

 

I had to buy that watch.
I made my (winning) offer 10 sec before auction ending.

THEN, I don't know why, eBay asked me to validate my phone number (?!?!?!?).
Congrats to the seller, it's a very very very nice Movado. Shame to eBay, SHAME! ARGH!

 

Are you referring to the watch I posted? Maybe your offer wouldn't have won, after all, you only see my winning bid and not my max bid Joking aside, I can offer you 1st dibs if you're still interested once the watch is here.

 

Really like the book suggestion, will check it out - thanks!

 

Thanks but no, it doesn't make sense now
Anyway it's a very nice watch. Congrats!

 

Thanks

 

Slique, I'm a big fan of that 36mm 90M you've landed. It is very visually appealing to me, and the condition is superb. the indices and numbers appear to be applied gold-really nice. I'm a sucker for 18K cases as well. Congratulations!

Did anyone here land that pristine 95M with the F Borgel waterproof case that was on eBay, listed from Brazil? I I saw it Monday night, fell in love and was formulating an offer to submit in the morning. Tuesday AM it was gone. You snooze- you lose...

But as a consolation prize I did negotiate a deal for this tasty little 95M driven piece, now winging its way to me here in the US from France. Its my first Movado. 18K rose gold 34mm Favre & Perret case, and supposedly dating to the 1940's or 1950's. The Anti-Magnetic text just below the hands leads me to believe that era of production is true. can anyone help me establish a date of production?

Channeling Slique's comment in the OP: Slippery slope indeed...

 

I never understood why Movado doesn't receive more attention from collectors. They make some exceptional watches of high quality, especially relative to other brands of similar vintage that get a lot of attention. Some of my earliest pieces were Movado (back when I had no idea what I was doing)...I bought this some 30 years ago. But the "Fat Watch" is my favorites...relatively new finds.

 

Slippery indeed. I just bought a Vintage Movado 1940s with Breguet numbers. Will post when I get it