In 1881, Achille Ditesheim founded a watch making factory in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. In 1905, the factory was given the fine-sounding name Movado, a word taken from the recently developed Esperanto language, its meaning roughly translatable as "always in motion." Initially specializing in the production of pocket watches, the operation was later expanded to cope with the birth of the wrist watch. Independent developments such as the Polyplan calibre, a form of movement for extremely curved rectangular wrist watches, are representative of Movado's inventiveness and constant search for solutions at the beginning of the wrist watch era.

Innovative, Wonderful, Only Movado Watches

Movado draws upon it's 122 year old history of expert watch making. As the decades pass Movado seems to find a way to keep itself at the very peak of modern watch architecture. Movado watches can be found in many museums around the world. A perfect Movado watch is made with top quality and sometimes exotic materials, engineered and assembled by expert watchmakers. Movado watches are engineered to meet high Swiss technical and functional standards. Each movement found within a Movado watch is a quartz of the highest quality known to man, accurate within second over the period of a year. Certainly a Movado watch is a must have for any serious luxury watch collector.

In the 1950s Movado developed its own calibres for the highly popular calendar wrist watches of the day, and in 1969 Movado and Zenith were responsible for introducing the first automatic chronograph with calibre 3019 PHC under the name of El Primera. The fact that, besides paying attention to the technical side of watchmaking, Movado also devoted much care to the aesthetic aspect is reflected in a striking manner by Nathan George Horwitt's dial, later used in the "Museum Watch" and now part of the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art, New York." Written by Fritz von Osterhausen, The Movado History is a lavishly illustrated book, certain to delight collectors. Through over 250 color illustrations, the book presents the most compelling designs introduced by Movado, many of which have become coveted collectors' items commanding high prices at worldwide auctions. It is a new hard cover. Published in 2000 by Schiffer Publications Ltd, it is 234 pages

Movado has always shown a remarkable dedication to fine watch making. The MOVADO philosophy is as valid today as it was back in 1881, when young watchmaker Achille Ditesheim founded the company that became Movado in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. Ditesheim was determined to develop timepieces that would surpass all, and within a few years his watches were making history. Translated, the word Movado means "always in motion." and has proven to be a prophetic name for a company committed to design, innovation and time technology since 1881. With many patents for breakthrough ideas, over 200 international awards for creativity, watches in 20 museums worldwide, Movado has made some of the most famous timepieces ever created

Movado Group Inc. The Group's principle activities are to design, manufacture and distribute quality watches with prominent brands. The Group conducts its business primarily in three operating segments: Wholesale, retail and other. The wholesale segment includes the designing, manufacturing and distribution of quality watches. The retail segment includes the Movado Boutiques and outlet stores. Other segment includes the Group's service center operations and shipping. The Group distributes watch brands through United States operations as well as through sales subsidiaries in Canada, Hong Kong and Switzerland and through a number of independent distributors located in various countries throughout the world. During the fiscal year 2003, the Group marketed five distinctive brands of watches: Movado, Concord, ESQ, Coach and Tommy Hilfiger. Wholesale accounted for 79% of fis 2003 revenues; Retail, 18% & Other, 3%.

Warranty

Movado warrants its products, to the original purchaser, to be free from defects in material and workmanship under normal use for a period of one year from the date of purchase.

Movado Product Line

Movado Medalist Ladies Watch (model 0604803)

The Movado Medalist Ladies' Watch (model 0604803) features the Movado museum dial in stainless steel black, with silver colored hands and cabochon dot. The case is polished stainless steel, harboring the precise Swiss quarts movement. Water resistant to 100 feet, this has a list price of $995.
Movado Portico Ladies Watch (model 0604574) The Movado Portico Ladies' Watch (model 0604574) features a 2-Tone Movado museum dial. It also features a gold plated crown, bracelet with push-button, double locking clasp and a scratch resistant sapphire crystal. Water resistant to 100 feet, this is listed at $895.
The Movado Museum Automatic Horwitt Men's Watch (model 0605117) features a stainless steel case with a sapphire crystal skeleton back. Part of the original Movado modern series this watch also features 21-jewels and self-winding mechanical movement. In handsome "Cotes de Geneve" finish, this lists for $1,095.
The Movado Sports Edition SE Ladies' Watch S/S Watch (model 0604742) comes with a blue leather strap & blue mother-of-pearl Movado museum dial. This model has other similar features to those above. It's listed for $995.

Other Movado Series

Movado features ten to twelve series in all: the Esperanza watches, Classic Museum watches, Olympian watches, Eliro watches, Harmony watches, Imperio watches, Sprita watches, Valor watches, Moderna watches, and Junior Sport watches. Every Movado watch features a "sun dial" face and distinctive Movado dot marker at the 12 position.

Movado has re-introduced the KingMatic watch series; a 1950's original, now in stainless steel, but with the original watch's automatic movement and sweeping second hand on a central rotor.