Movado Datron 'Blue Panda' El Primero Chronograph

Learning about — and then sharing knowledge about — the lesser known horological gems is what makes the Analog:Shift team tick. 

While a cursory glance at this Movado Datron HS360 Chronograph may conjure thoughts of '70s cushion-case Heuers, further study of this unusual piece will leave no thought of envy for its contemporaries. Powered by the first hi-beat automatic chronograph movement ever made — the Calibre 3019 El Primero by Zenith — this Movado branded piece might just be the better (and far less expensive) option amongst other vintage El Primero watches.

The design and ergonomics are also highly impressive on this timepiece: With refined touches ranging from subtly recessed subsidiary registers to its 12:00 quick-set date and signed crown, this is a high-quality watch from a brand that no longer makes high-quality mechanical watches. (Movado — not Zenith!) 

This particular Datron, a Reference HS360, dated to circa the early 1970s and features a 38mm stainless steel tonneau case with an acrylic crystal, dual barrel pushers, and a smooth polished bezel. Housed inside, it has a beautiful matte blue 'reverse panda' Tritium dial with applied indices, an outer silver tachymeter scale, a matching handset, a triple-register chronograph, and a convenient date window at 12:00. Last but not least, this piece is powered by the iconic Zenith El Primero Calibre 3019 automatic-winding hi-beat chronograph movement and comes paired to an excellent Ralstra® perforated leather rallye-style strap with a drilled steel pin buckle.

Funky, useful, and packing serious horological cachet, these have slipped under the radar of most collectors — and all the more so this rare reference, whose blue ‘panda’ dial doesn’t often turn up on the market.

We also have a particular fondness for this very reference, as one handed down to our Founder from his grandfather helped inspire the creation of Analog:Shift.

True story!

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 one-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.