Movado 431 Tri-Tone 'Salesman Sample'

A time-only Movado offers a ton of value in the watch world. Movado as a brand is a shell of its former self.

Movado, established in 1881, made some of the finest time-only and complicated watches of the 20th century. Their famed triple-calendar watches of the 1940s and ‘50s and Super Sub Sea chronographs from the 1960s are highly sought after by collectors, and for good reason — combining high-quality movements with attractive design, they’re the type of timepieces that draw people headfirst into the horological world.

This piece is something we've never seen before - period.

What seemingly looks intentionally designed for the contemporary wearer with its open work display and integrated design, it's likely this piece was made to showcase the brand's watchmaking, finishing and manufacturing capabilities as a "salesman's sample".

That's right, imagine being Movado-curious in the 1960s and the sales associate behind the counter presents this beauty on a tray as a visual example for all the neat things the brand was up to!

Housed in a beautiful 40mm yellow and rose gold case with an unsigned crown and an acrylic crystal, it features an open work movement providing a perfect view of the mechanics of the manufacture's Calibre 431 automatic winding movement. If the mechanics weren't a dead giveaway, then the bold reheat engraving confirms the Calibre's presence.

The highlight of this piece is its tri-tone gold bracelet affording one of the coolest and most striking aesthetics on the market!

Svelte, handsome and housing the brand's first full-rotor automatic movement, this is a dress watch for someone who’s gone deep down the horological rabbit hole.

Not many Movado's like this one floatin' around!

While Movado is now best known as a producer of fashion watches like the Museum Watch, Movado's roots go much deeper than that. The company’s history reaches all the way back to 1881, when watchmaker Achilles Ditesheim opened a workshop in La Chaux-de-Fonds. His brothers Léopold and Isidore joined him in 1886.

Production from that point on proved how true the name brand was—it means "always in motion" in Esperanto. Throughout the 20th century Movado produced incredible mechanical timepieces. They gained notoriety for the sophistication of the equipment and technology they employed, including electric tools.

Unlike many of their counterparts, Movado's movements were designed and manufactured in-house.

In the late 1960s, they were acquired by Zenith, and enjoyed perhaps their greatest period of success as the subsidiary of that brand. Their chronographs (which used the famous Zenith El Primero movement), particularly, were successful sellers. But the extent of their offerings didn’t end there. They also made killer dress watches like the one we have here.

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Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a two-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.