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·Since long ago my wish has been to add a “El Primero” to my (humble) collection. Finally, here I am.
It is in the first version from 1969, i.e. 3019PHC (at that time not marked “El Primero” yet).
The watch which hosts this “legend” is a Movado Datron HS360, steel, with blue dial (ref. 434-705-502).
It is also available with black and with white dial; the reference number does not change; it was also available gold plated (ref. 434-615-502), in 14 kt. gold (ref. 434-225-502) and 18 kt. gold (ref. 434-215-502).
It was not an easy search, since very often these watches are not 100% correct; many of them miss the bracelet, some have a Movado bracelet from another model, some have the crown branded “Zenith” (thus, replaced), some the mass or the entire movement replaced (e.g. they have a “400” movement, which is not correct since it has been produced from mid-80s). Mine has only two minor aspects; the crystal has not the “Movado” logo and the bracelet has a sort of extension, since there are only 18 links instead of the 20-21 needed.
It is almost impossible to date the watch, given that the movement has not a serial number; however, from the serial number of the case (2473, engraved between the lugs) I would bet 1971-72,
It is already “Datron”, while the very first version was “Datachron”.
The movement has 17 jewels, and therefore the watch was produced for the USA market (for customs duty reasons, while in Europe it had 31 jewels); and in fact I bought it from a shop located in Boston.
I find the dimension (38 mm) perfect for my 18 cm. wrist and in my opinion is in excellent conditions, with both the concentric satin towards the lugs (while the profile is polished) and the engraving “sub sea” in the caseback well visible.
But now it is time to stop talking and show some photos.
It is in the first version from 1969, i.e. 3019PHC (at that time not marked “El Primero” yet).
The watch which hosts this “legend” is a Movado Datron HS360, steel, with blue dial (ref. 434-705-502).
It is also available with black and with white dial; the reference number does not change; it was also available gold plated (ref. 434-615-502), in 14 kt. gold (ref. 434-225-502) and 18 kt. gold (ref. 434-215-502).
It was not an easy search, since very often these watches are not 100% correct; many of them miss the bracelet, some have a Movado bracelet from another model, some have the crown branded “Zenith” (thus, replaced), some the mass or the entire movement replaced (e.g. they have a “400” movement, which is not correct since it has been produced from mid-80s). Mine has only two minor aspects; the crystal has not the “Movado” logo and the bracelet has a sort of extension, since there are only 18 links instead of the 20-21 needed.
It is almost impossible to date the watch, given that the movement has not a serial number; however, from the serial number of the case (2473, engraved between the lugs) I would bet 1971-72,
It is already “Datron”, while the very first version was “Datachron”.
The movement has 17 jewels, and therefore the watch was produced for the USA market (for customs duty reasons, while in Europe it had 31 jewels); and in fact I bought it from a shop located in Boston.
I find the dimension (38 mm) perfect for my 18 cm. wrist and in my opinion is in excellent conditions, with both the concentric satin towards the lugs (while the profile is polished) and the engraving “sub sea” in the caseback well visible.
But now it is time to stop talking and show some photos.
