1950s Movado Tempomatic Claw Lugs Bumper Automatic 34mm

Here we have a 1950s Movado Tempomatic featuring a beautifully proportioned 34mm chrome round case distinguished by its striking and rare "claw" (or crab-claw) lugs. The Tempomatic line represents a golden era for Movado, a period when the historic Swiss manufacturer was highly revered for producing intricate, top-tier mechanical timepieces. A relatively slim case thickness of 10mm and a highly wearable lug-to-lug of 41mm deliver a remarkably elegant and comfortable profile on the wrist. At the 3 o’clock position sits a classic push-pull crown. The stepped case architecture frames a smooth bezel holding a crystal above a beautifully aged sector dial. The dial layout is highly expressive, typical of mid-century Movado design. Gold-toned applied Arabic numerals and pips mark the hours. An inner minute track surrounds the classic sword-style hands, anchored by a central seconds hand tipped with a red arrow. Turning the watch over reveals a solid, screw-down case back cleanly engraved with the reference number 36109 and the unique serial number 246356. Inside beats the exceptional Movado Calibre C220M bumper automatic movement. Instead of rotating a full 360 degrees like a modern centre-rotor watch, this vintage "bumper" mechanism relies on an oscillating weight that bounces back and forth between two spring-loaded buffers to wind the watch. This architecture provides a wonderfully tactile, nostalgic sensation on the wrist as the rotor gently rebounds with movement. It comes paired on a well-suited 17mm strap and pin buckle.

This watch is sold as "Watch Only" and therefore comes with no Movado box or Movado paperwork. It comes paired on a well-suited 17mm strap and pin buckle. The watch is from Circa. 1950s, and is in worn vintage condition, but overall a lovely, honest example, with a beautifully aged patina dial, as you can see. The watch comes with our 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty.

This is exactly the sort of vintage watch that reminds me why I love collecting and selling these lesser-known gems. The first thing that catches your eye is that wonderfully patinated sector dial, which has aged beautifully over the decades and gives the watch far more character than any modern reproduction could hope to achieve. Then there’s the case. Those distinctive claw lugs are absolutely fantastic and give the watch a presence and personality that immediately sets it apart from the crowd. For the money, you cannot go wrong, so snap it up today whilst you still can!

Reference : 36109
Movement : Bumper Automatic Movado Cal. C220M
Age : Circa. 1950s
Year : Circa. 1950s
Case Size : 34mm
Case Thickness : 10mm
Lug to Lug : 41mm
Lugs : 17mm
Condition : Pre-Owned
Box and Papers : None
Case Material : Chrome
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 resonant 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.