Movado Chronometer (1950s)
This is a very rare manual wound Movado Chronometer from the 1950s.
The movement used in this watch, calibre 126, was made in a run of less
than 1,000 pieces with each watch numbered.
Movado
made very few manually wound and independently tested chronometers.
They did self-certify a fairly high number of watches as "chronometer",
but those movements were standard calibres which were regulated to a
high standard, whereas the calibre 125 has a host of adjustments all
aimed at improving the precision of the time keeping:
The
movement has 21 jewels, as opposed to 17 for the base caliber; Movado
fitted a balance made from Glucydur which is an alloy with very limited
thermal expansion and contraction. The balance has a self-compensating
Breguet overcoil hairspring for better consistency across different
positions and a swan-neck regulator for very precise adjustment of the
rate of the watch. The train runs in jewels which are set in gold
chatons. Calibre 125 watches were adjusted to five positions and this
was inscribed onto the bridges. They were serialised with six digits,
the first three of which were always “125”, followed by three digits
denoting the production number, which leads us to understand they were
produced in a run of less than 1,000 pieces (I've never seen an example
with more than three digits)
The
movement has been serviced and adjusted and the watch is keeping superb
time, perhaps not quite to the same precision as when it underwent
chronometer tests, but certainly it is still a very precise instrument.
The
14 carat gold case is an excellent wearable size at a fraction under
35mm, it has wonderfully evocative teardrop shaped lugs which were very
fashionable during the 1950s. The original dial is in super condition,
it has a two tone finish, with a brushed centre and a silvered ring
around the edge. There are gold applied numerals and markers on the dial
and a gold handset to match. One detail I rather like is that the
sub-seconds disc has been printed with every second, something that
emphasises the precision of the time keeping (i.e. that you can read
this watch to the actual second).
The
case back has the original owners name engraved on it, I always take
the view that it is better to preserve this aspect of the watch's
history rather than filling and polishing. Fitted with a hand made
Italian strap the watch is ready to be worn and enjoyed. Please bear in
mind that this watch, even when brand new, was not especially water
resistant, so the new owner should take care not to expose it to
moisture or damp.
Case diameter: 34.75mm
Case material: 14 carat yellow gold
Strap width: 18mm
time keeping: grade A+
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