1950s Movado Fab Suisse Oversized 35mm "Calatrava"
Ref: 843 / 18106
Specification
Lugs : 18mm
Condition : Pre-Owned
Box & Papers : None
Case Material : Stainless Steel
Warranty : 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty
Points of Mention
This watch is sold as "Watch Only" and, therefore, comes with no original Movado box or paperwork. It is paired with a suitable 18mm after-market suede vintage-style strap and pin buckle. The watch is from the Circa 1950s and is sold in worn vintage condition, as you can see from the photographs. The watch comes with our 12-Months Non-Waterproof Warranty.
For more photos see here - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1lZJNfumdSMHbxfbjoI_YlxQ6lAqsvLOf?usp=drive_link
4K YouTube video, skip to 23:07 - https://youtu.be/6laT_LnIfOc
The Watch
Here, we have a lovely example of the 1950s Movado Fab Suisse Oversized "Calatrava" with a 35mm stainless steel case that gently curves over your wrist thanks to the finely tapered lugs, which form part of the slim bezel for a sculpted profile. A lug-to-lug length of 43mm and a case thickness of just 8mm ensure a comfortable fit. On the right side is a signed coin-edged push/pull crown. A smooth, thin bezel holds a domed crystal, showcasing the attractive cream “Calatrava” dial. An outer minute rail track surrounds applied steel 12, 2, 4, 8 and 10, and dagger-shaped indices mark the hours; slim stick hands sit above a large, slightly recessed sub seconds at 6 o’clock. “Movado Fab Suisse” sits at noon, completing this sophisticated dress watch. On the reverse, a solid case back, inside is a manually wound Movado Cal. 125, 15 jewels, beating at a leisurely 18,000 beats per hour. The watch comes paired with a well-suited 18mm after-market suede vintage style strap and pin buckle.
Personal Note
This incredible Movado Fab Suisse "Calatrava" is from the personal collection and I'll be sad to see it go, but I can't keep them all. This oversized model from the 1950s comes in an impressive 35mm stainless steel case with interesting lugs and a beautiful patina throughout the dial. It is getting more and more difficult to find great examples of Movado and Mido as collectors begin to realise their value, so I wouldn't hesitate to add this one to your collection today while you can!
The Brand
Achilles Ditesheim, at the age of 19, founded LAI Ditesheim & Freres SA in 1881. With the help of 6 watchmakers, he built a workshop in the small village of La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. In 1905, he renamed the company Movado, meaning “always in motion” in Esperanto's international language. In 1947, Nathan George Horwitt created the single-dot watch dial. In 1960, Horwitt's original design became the first watch dial ever to be accepted by the Museum of Modern Art, New York. In 2017, Movado Group purchased the Olivia Burton brand, which is based in London. It is one of the fastest-growing fashion watch and jewellery brands in the UK. In October 2018, Movado Group acquired MVMT, which specialises in selling quartz watches, sunglasses, and jewellery. The Movado Group also owns Concord, Ebel.