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Movado Datron HS360 Zenith "El Primero" Ref. 434-705-502, 1970 — view 1 of 6
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Movado Datron HS360 Zenith "El Primero" Ref. 434-705-502, 1970

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Movado (maker)
Date
1970
Country of origin
Switzerland
Object type
Wristwatch
Dimensions
Case 38 mm
Stock no.
MOVDDTZM70
Credit line
Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (MOVDDTZM70)
Catalogue title (original)
1970 Movado Datron HS360 Zenith "El Primero" Ref. 434-705-502 (English)

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Record summary

Catalogued by Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles (stock number MOVDDTZM70), this is a wristwatch by Movado, made in Switzerland, dated 1970. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 38 mm. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.

Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.

Catalogue description

Dealer description — Craft & Tailored

The Datron HS360, which first appeared in around 1970 with the name “Datron HS360,” Although Movado as a brand released water-resistant wristwatches in the mid-1930's, by the early 1960s Movado was producing a professional range of watches to contend with the era's greater-known offerings from names like Rolex, Omega, Heuer & Tudor. During the mid to late 1960's Movado and Zenith started working together. In this time the two brands shared their movements as similar feature sets in their timepiece offerings, which can be seen in the Movado Sub Sea range of chronographs. This specific Movado Datron HS360 is no exception to this as it houses the Zenith 3019PHC automatic chronograph movement. While the El Primero movement in Zenith’s watches contains 31 jewels, most Movados were fitted with 17 jewels to reduce import duties based on jewel counts and to provide a more accessible watch to the US market during the 1970's 3019PHC El Primero movement SPECS Stock # MOVDDTZM70 Brand Movado Style Chronograph Model Ref. 434-705-502 Serial N/A Size Men's Material SS Dial Black "Panda" Millimeters 38mm Bracelet Hand Made Leather Strap CASE & BRACELET The case of this Movado Datron HS 360condition which we believe to remains in unpolished condition as it shows the original case geometry and case beveling. Additionally, the Sub Sea engraving can be seen clearly on the case back and remains fully intact. The watch will come supplied with a handmade leather strap. DIAL & HANDS The dial of this Movado Datron HS360 remains in wonderful and original condition.The patina on the dial is even and consistent without any scratching or visible blemishes. The tritium lume on the dial and within the hands shows no visible degradation when viewed under U.V. light. ACCESSORIES

Historical context

Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)

Seiko's Astron begins mass quartz timekeeping; traditional industries contract sharply.

Quartz and digital watches transformed the market after 1969. Swiss employment collapsed, Japanese and Hong Kong production soared, and the Swatch (1983) helped the Swiss industry recover; mechanical watches survived as luxury goods.

Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Modern Mechanical Horology

Atlas type guide

Wristwatches

Bracelet watches were worn by women from the early nineteenth century — Breguet made one for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples, in 1810–12 — but the wristwatch only became a man's instrument with military use and aviation in the early twentieth century. Between the World Wars it overtook the pocket watch; the 1920s and 1930s brought rectangular Art Deco cases, water-resistant cases and the first automatic winding systems.

After 1945 the wristwatch became a carrier of identity — dress watches, sports and dive watches, chronographs, calendars — produced by Swiss, American, Japanese, German, Soviet and Chinese industries. The quartz revolution after 1969 and the mechanical renaissance since the 1990s, including the rise of independent watchmakers, complete the story.

What to look for

  • The reference number (between the lugs or inside the case back) and serial number, the starting point for dating.
  • The calibre: its maker and number are often stamped under the dial or on the bridge.
  • Originality of dial, hands and crown — refinished ('redial') dials are common.
  • Case material marks: 18K/750, 14K/585, stainless steel, gold-filled, plated.

Dating clues

  • Wire-lug cases: before c. 1925.
  • Water-resistant screw-down cases: from 1926.
  • Quartz movements: from 1969; sapphire crystals widespread after c. 1980.

General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.

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