This beautiful piece of history is 106 years old, this is officially “Antique” and it still looks incredible both on and off the wrist, best part is it's still running well too and has been fully serviced via our onsite workshop ! This is an early 1918 Silver Trench watch, the enamel dial has survived in fantastic condition signed Movado Chronometre. The movement is a Movado Caliber 420 which was introduced in the early 1910s! The solid Sterling silver case features both screw back and front which was an early attempt at hermetically protecting the movement from the elements, and the watch still features its original glass crystal which is in great shape, the watch also features its original oversized onion crown and stem! It really does not get any more original than this. So much history packed into such a small object. Coming in at an unusually large 36mm it is incredibly wearable still and does not look out of place on the wrist, most people cannot believe it when you tell them it is over 100 years old, to be honest I’m still amazed! and its officially our most Antique watch in stock, We also managed to pair it on a vintage tan open ended strap.
Achilles Ditesheim at the age of 19 founded LAI Ditescheim & Freres SA in 1881. With the help of 6 watchmakers, he built a workshop in the small village of La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. In 1905 he renamed the company Movado meaning “always in motion” in the international language of Esperanto. In 1947 Nathan George Horwitt created the single dot watch dial. In 1960 Horwitts original design became the first watch dial ever to be accepted by the Museum of Modern Art, New York. In 2017 Movado Group purchased the Olivia Burton brand based in London, one of the fastest-growing fashion watch and jewellery brands in the UK. In October 2018 Movado Group acquired MVMT who specialise in selling quartz watches, sunglasses and jewellery. The Movado Group also owns Concord, Ebel.
As with all our stock, it comes fully serviced by our on-site workshop and with a 12 month, non-waterproof service cover. (please note a watch of this vintage should be classed as an occasional watch not really suitable for everyday use for obvious reasons)
What we think
One of our favourite early pieces. Shows its age but don't we all eventually. Solid sterling silver screw front and back case by famous case Sponcers mark GS George stockwell (A great article on this here) fully hallmarked case with a larger diameter than most, solid 16mm lugs. GS marked cases can be found on Rolex, Zenith , Longines and other household watch names always of quality and often with unusual patents. Porcelain enamelled dial with painted Arabic numerals and cathedral hands. The connection between our company and early tench watches started with my father back in the 1970s he still has a very impressive personal collection of ww1 watches. A very special, vintage timepiece to own.
Spec Stuff
Serial : ****
Reference : 3386
Movement : Manually Wound 15 Jewel Movado 420
Age : 1911/1920 Specific Age : 1918 Case Size : 35mm (38mm inc crown) Case Thickness :12mm Lug to Lug : 42mm Lugs : 16mm Condition : Pre-Owned Box & Papers : No Case Material : Sterling Silver 925 Service History : 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty
1918 Movado Chronometre Trench Style Screw Back and Front Sterling silver GS Case
