1950s Movado 18ct Gold "Calatrava" Bumper Automatic 32mm

Here we have a classic 1950s Movado 18ct Gold "Calatrava" Bumper Automatic with a curvaceous 18ct Yellow gold 32mm round case. The case gently curves toward the decorative horned lugs. Its sculpted flanks lead to a lug-to-lug length of 38mm and a case thickness of 9mm, ensuring a comfortable fit on the wrist. On the right side is a domed coin-edged crown. A polished, chamfered bezel holds a domed crystal above the off-white/cream dial. It features an outer minute track of pips surrounding attractive, applied, gilded Arabic numerals and faceted indexes that mark the hours. The Dauphine hour and minute hands have sharp edges. At 6 o’clock, a sub-seconds with decorative engine turning; at 12 o’clock, we have the Movado motif and “Automatic” completes this sophisticated timepiece. On the reverse, an 18ct yellow gold snap-on case back, inside an early in-house bumper Automatic Movado Cal. 115, 17 jewels movement. It comes paired with a 17mm leather strap secured by an 18ct yellow gold pin buckle.

This watch is sold with no box or paperwork. It comes paired with a 17mm leather strap secured by an 18ct yellow gold pin buckle. The watch is from Circa. 1950s and is in worn, vintage condition. As you can see from the photos, it is in overall great condition for its age; however, its original attributes are beautifully preserved with even patina. The watch comes with our 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty.

I am regularly asked what I think is underrated and underappreciated in the vintage watch world, and my answer is always vintage Movado & Mido. The value is insane and the designs are beautiful, though collectors are certainly waking up to the two brands, so snapping up great examples whilst you can is a must! This beautiful Bumper Automatic 18ct Gold Movado 'Calatrava' is incredible on the wrist, paired with a beautiful strap and an 18ct Gold Buckle, you'll be hard-pressed to find better. I would not hesitate to add this gem to your collection today!

Reference : 8404
Movement : Bumper Automatic Movado Cal. 115
Age : Circa. 1950s
Year : Circa. 1950s
Case Size : 32mm
Case Thickness : 9mm
Lug to Lug : 38mm
Lugs : 17mm
Condition : Pre-Owned
Box and Papers : None
Case Material : 18ct Yellow Gold
Warranty : 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty
The wrist model's wrist size is 7inch

Achilles Ditesheim, a visionary entrepreneur, embarked on his journey at the young age of 19 when he founded LAI Ditescheim & Freres SA in 1881. With a small team of six skilled watchmakers, he established a workshop in the quaint Swiss village of La Chaux-de-Fonds, a hub of horological craftsmanship known for its rich watchmaking heritage. In 1905, recognising the need for a globally resonated brand, he rebranded the company as Movado, which translates to “always in motion” in Esperanto, the constructed international language designed for universal communication. This name would come to symbolise the brand’s commitment to forward-thinking design and innovation. A seminal moment in Movado’s history came in 1912 with the introduction of the Polyplan, a groundbreaking watch design that captured the attention of the Swiss watch industry and earned the company its 20th patent. The Polyplan featured a revolutionary movement that consisted of three planes strategically angled to fit a case that conformed to the natural contours of the wrist, enhancing both aesthetics and comfort. As the clouds of World War I gathered on the horizon, Movado swiftly designed the Soldier’s Watch, a remarkable blend of form and function. This timepiece featured a distinctive pierced metal cover that protected the watch crystal while allowing for easy readability of the time—a crucial feature for soldiers in the field. Movado continued to push the boundaries of watchmaking innovation with the introduction of the Acvatic, the company’s first venture into water-resistant watches. The Acvatic was equipped with a patented Decagonal case design, a screw-down back featuring a lead gasket for enhanced waterproofing, and a cork seal that protected the crown for winding, making it a robust option for active wearers. In 1945, Movado made another significant advancement in horology with the introduction of the Tempomatic. This marked the brand's first timepiece to incorporate an automatic movement, showcasing its commitment to integrating advanced technology into its designs. The post-World War II era heralded a vibrant and innovative period for Movado. The company embraced the buoyant spirit of the times with a rapid succession of transformative products. Among these were the Calendomatic—the world’s first self-winding calendar watch, the innovative Celestograph—a watch that elegantly displayed the moon phases, and the Calendarmeto—a reinterpretation of the Ermeto that incorporated day, month, and moon phase complications, appealing to a wide range of customers. In 1947, renowned designer Nathan George Horwitt unveiled the single-dot watch dial, which became a defining element of modern watch design. In 1960, Horwitt’s minimalist creation received high acclaim when it became the first watch dial ever to be accepted by the Museum of Modern Art in New York, solidifying Movado’s status in the realm of fine art and design. Since its launch in 1956, the Movado Kingmatic has been an icon of mid-century design, symbolising the brand’s dedication to quality and precision in watchmaking. At the 1969 Basel Fair, Movado made strides in the industry once again by partnering with Zenith to debut the world’s first automatic chronograph movement, the El Primero. This revolutionary innovation set new standards in watchmaking, reshaping the landscape of horology. In 1983, as Movado entered its second century, Gedalio Grinberg acquired the company and integrated it into the North American Watch Corporation. This marked a new chapter in Movado's history as it aimed to broaden its reach and appeal in the North American market. More recently, in 2017, Movado Group expanded its portfolio by acquiring Olivia Burton, a London-based brand renowned for its stylish fashion watches and jewellery, which ranks among the fastest-growing brands in the UK. Then, in October 2018, Movado Group further diversified its offerings with the acquisition of MVMT, a company focused on selling quartz watches, sunglasses, and jewellery. Today, the Movado Group continues to encompass several acclaimed brands, including Concord and Ebel, further solidifying its legacy as a leader in the watchmaking industry.