For sale is a spectacular and historically significant vintage Movado from the late 1930s to early 1940s. Often regarded by horological scholars as "the thinking man’s Patek Philippe," Movado during this "Golden Age" was a true manufacture, producing in-house movements and dials that rivaled the "Holy Trinity" brands in quality and design. This particular example features the rare and highly collectible "Sprocket" variation of the Sector Dial (sometimes called a "Scientific Dial"), representing the perfect intersection of Art Deco style and scientific precision.
The watch features a classic "Calatrava" style case, measuring a desirable 35mm, a "jumbo" size for the era that offers a contemporary presence on the wrist today. The visual centerpiece, however, is the dial. The "Sprocket" effect is created by the enclosed minute track and the hour ring that "teeth" into the central dial, creating a mechanical, gear-like aesthetic. This design was originally intended for legibility, separating hours from minutes for engineers and scientists. The dial displays an honest, warm "tropical" patina, a testament to its originality and age, while the long, elegant lugs and thin bezel maximize the dial's visual impact.
Key Features:
Brand: Movado
Era: Late 1930s – Early 1940s
Model Nickname: "Sprocket" / Scientific Sector Dial
Case Size: 35mm (Oversized for the period)
Case Style: "Calatrava" style with long, elegant lugs
Dial: Rare Two-Tone "Sprocket" Sector layout with original, warm tropical patina.
Movement: Manual Wind Mechanical In-House Movado Cal. 75
Why Collectors Love It:
This Movado is a prime example of why vintage collectors flock to this brand's early work. It hits the "trifecta" of vintage collecting: Rarity, Condition, and Size. First, the "Sprocket" sector dial is an uncommon and visually striking variation of the popular Art Deco sector layout, giving it a distinct industrial vibe. Second, the 35mm case size is significantly larger than the standard 30-32mm watches of the 1930s and 40s, making it highly wearable by modern standards. Finally, it represents a value proposition that is hard to beat, offering in-house manufacturing and "Holy Trinity" build quality for a fraction of the price of similar Patek Philippe or Vacheron Constantin models from the same year. This is a true conversation piece for the aesthete and the historian alike.
For sale is a spectacular and historically significant vintage Movado from the late 1930s to early 1940s. Often regarded by horological scholars as "the thinking man’s Patek Philippe," Movado during this "Golden Age" was a true manufacture, producing in-house movements and dials that rivaled the "Holy Trinity" brands in quality and design. This particular example features the rare and highly collectible "Sprocket" variation of the Sector Dial (sometimes called a "Scientific Dial"), representing the perfect intersection of Art Deco style and scientific precision.
The watch features a classic "Calatrava" style case, measuring a desirable 35mm, a "jumbo" size for the era that offers a contemporary presence on the wrist today. The visual centerpiece, however, is the dial. The "Sprocket" effect is created by the enclosed minute track and the hour ring that "teeth" into the central dial, creating a mechanical, gear-like aesthetic. This design was originally intended for legibility, separating hours from minutes for engineers and scientists. The dial displays an honest, warm "tropical" patina, a testament to its originality and age, while the long, elegant lugs and thin bezel maximize the dial's visual impact.
Key Features:
Brand: Movado
Era: Late 1930s – Early 1940s
Model Nickname: "Sprocket" / Scientific Sector Dial
Case Size: 35mm (Oversized for the period)
Case Style: "Calatrava" style with long, elegant lugs
Dial: Rare Two-Tone "Sprocket" Sector layout with original, warm tropical patina.
Movement: Manual Wind Mechanical In-House Movado Cal. 75
Why Collectors Love It:
This Movado is a prime example of why vintage collectors flock to this brand's early work. It hits the "trifecta" of vintage collecting: Rarity, Condition, and Size. First, the "Sprocket" sector dial is an uncommon and visually striking variation of the popular Art Deco sector layout, giving it a distinct industrial vibe. Second, the 35mm case size is significantly larger than the standard 30-32mm watches of the 1930s and 40s, making it highly wearable by modern standards. Finally, it represents a value proposition that is hard to beat, offering in-house manufacturing and "Holy Trinity" build quality for a fraction of the price of similar Patek Philippe or Vacheron Constantin models from the same year. This is a true conversation piece for the aesthete and the historian alike.
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