Another one with a nice dial. I think it is fair to assume that (at least part of the) original dials looked similar to this one.

 

Fully agreed. Too rare to be very picky. I think there are 2 dial variations: the one above and the one with the Breguet like numbers. In the patent they used the one above. Some (poor) pics from the Movado book:

 

The remark about the highest movement number being 1.471 and that should then indicate the total production of 1.500 is based on nothing I'm afraid. I found 5 movement numbers higher than that - highest 1.576 - and the lowest I found is 208 so I still think a total production of 1.000 is more likely.

Based on the about 50 records I found (basically more but there will be double counts) that assumes that about 5% is to be publicly found on the internet. Comparing this with my Universal records, which indicate productions runs of 250-500 pieces, I think these numbers are in the same range. Interesting stuff.

 

Well after some more research I think 1.600 may be the number produced Tank number based om serials is 1.617 and on movements 1.598 so the plot thickens.

Lowest serial I found is 400.221 and highest is 401.756. I now have 38 records with serial and/or movement number and visuals. BTW: the lowest serials are on tonneau shaped watches without sub seconds and roman numbers.

Furthermore I found some nice period advertising (on this page: https://forum.chronomania.net/mix_entry.php?id=133308#.YHhW0OgpmUm) a.o. showing original dials (no swiss(!)).

And finally some nice pics. Perhaps coolest of them all the personalised watch of actor (a.o.) Ken Murray

 

For those who want one (although I am not convinced the movement started its life in this case ):
https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auc...movado-polyplan-reference-44009-a-yellow-gold

 

According to the auction house not sold

 

Anyone a clue what this was? For sale at an auction in Uruguay. Not described as Movado or Polyplan. A similar movement was sold on EBay: https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/ultra-antique-movado-polyplan-style-41160615. However that was (according to seller) marked Movado. This one was not. Or at least: not that I could see it. Anyway: in the end I did not bid. Watch was sold for USD 150 excl fee. Not much but bankwire only and by the time it arrives in Europe it will be almost triple in price. Then still a ladies watch which needs to be serviced and most likely redialled.

 

This one was just sold for USD 3.570: https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/26923/lot/44/ Not bad I think but missing crown and (perhaps) wrong hands. Case serial is also unclear. In hindsight I should have bid on it....

 

Fixed it for you, you are welcome.

 

@cineaste sold just/just sold? What am I missing?

 

Edited, maybe my joke is clearer now

 

As in: cheap? Perhaps. No clue what it would take to find a crown.

I would like to own one I think but have never seen one in the flesh. And given that I am not in need of more watches and this one was in the USA at a big auction house made me decide not to proceed. According to the auction house there was a reserve anyway and it now appears that that was not the lowest amount of the estimate.

 

It may be a Gallet: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/224191682956?hash=item3432dd998c:g:UzoAAOSwejpff09rPurchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network

 

And it was back

Also 2 others in the rebound

 

Well: I now have a database of about 70 of them and there is none of which I am sure the dial is original....

 

Interesting. Thannks for sharing.