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Never before seen vintage (Movado) chronograph movement - identification?

  1. Modest_Proposal Trying too hard to be one of the cool kids Feb 18, 2016

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    A one-off? Or very small production watch?

    Just when you thought you'd seen it all...
     
    253370-35-013-hr-h.jpg lot-37-movement-1.JPG
  2. DirtyDozen12 Thanks, mystery donor! Feb 19, 2016

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    An odd looking chronograph movement. The column wheel seems to be inverted and the coupling system is hidden. I do not recall coming across another like it.
     
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  3. Modest_Proposal Trying too hard to be one of the cool kids Feb 20, 2016

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    Any other thoughts on this? I'm surprised nobody else shows interest. This was is big deal to me! :p
     
  4. DirtyDozen12 Thanks, mystery donor! Feb 20, 2016

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    There seems to be a lack of interest in the unfamiliar. I experienced this when I posted about my 1913 Rose Watch Co (Heuer) monopusher.

    I happen to like this Movado. It looks quite small but the style is very 1930s and the movement is intriguing. I also particularly like when the single pusher is integrated into the crown.

    Where did you come across it?

    Edit. The first photo looked very Auctionata and what do you know: https://auctionata.com/o/176178/mov...aph-switzerland-c-1930?search=movado&cat=shop
     
    Edited Feb 20, 2016
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  5. danomar Feb 20, 2016

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    I am interested in the movement, but I have not chimed in because I have never seen such a thing. I await someone else who knows better.
     
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  6. dsio Ash @ ΩF Staff Member Feb 20, 2016

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    I've looked 3-4 times but not known enough to comment, I do know there are some very cool sort of 50s era Movado chronograph movements that were fully in-house (with near unobtainium parts these days) but this seems even earlier than that.
     
  7. Syrte MWR Tech Support Dept Feb 20, 2016

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    I like it too, but rather than lack of interest it may be more inability to say much of value.
    I once posted a nice looking, very early Heuer chronograph (1930s) on Chronocentric and no one responded for at least a month, until I proded gently again at which point a member admitted not a whole lot was known about that period...
     
  8. gatorcpa ΩF InvestiGator Staff Member Feb 20, 2016

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    These Movado chronographs were very well thought of when introduced in the 1940's.

    From the famous Consumers Report article on watches from 1949:

    Page_4_zpsjlyg5k8j.jpg

    That was a pretty unique feature back then. Also, collectors go wild for crown pushers in a chronograph.

    Dial looks to be refinished at some point, and I'm not sure about the hands.
    gatorcpa
     
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  9. Northernman Lemaniac Feb 20, 2016

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    Tried the litterateur I have on chronograph movements. Nothing really matching came up.
    Finish looks fairly basic.
    ::popcorn::
     
  10. DirtyDozen12 Thanks, mystery donor! Feb 20, 2016

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    @danomar, @dsio, and @Syrte I suppose that I associate interest with input. I have seen many threads where observations and opinions are discussed, despite a lack of knowledge. I feel that these discussions are worthwhile as unique observations can lead to the discovery of relevant information.
     
  11. gatorcpa ΩF InvestiGator Staff Member Feb 20, 2016

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  12. Stewart H Honorary NJ Resident Feb 20, 2016

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    I too could find nothing in my reference library that looks similar.

    With the fixer bars, I wonder if it started life as a small, up/down pocket watch movement.
     
  13. DirtyDozen12 Thanks, mystery donor! Feb 20, 2016

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    Why up/down as opposed to chronograph?
     
  14. LouS Mrs Nataf's Other Son Staff Member Feb 20, 2016

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    you've looked in von Osterhausen?
     
  15. LouS Mrs Nataf's Other Son Staff Member Feb 20, 2016

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    up/down is a chronograph - just refers to the location of the dials. Perhaps you are thinking of the ALS "Ab/auf" power reserve?
     
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  16. DirtyDozen12 Thanks, mystery donor! Feb 20, 2016

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    Indeed. I was not aware of such terminology.
     
  17. Northernman Lemaniac Feb 20, 2016

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    Any leads as to case size?
    Should be possible to deduct the ligne/caliber diameter from that.
     
  18. Syrte MWR Tech Support Dept Feb 20, 2016

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  19. Modest_Proposal Trying too hard to be one of the cool kids Feb 20, 2016

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    I think it's about 30mm in diameter.

    The movement in the mono-pusher you pictured has a different movement entirely and one that is semi-common.

    Never seen the original post's movement.

    Also take note - the original movement in question is 4 times adjusted!

    .
     
    $_1.JPG
  20. DirtyDozen12 Thanks, mystery donor! Feb 20, 2016

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    According to Auctionata, the movement is 9.5 lignes. I posted the link above.