Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Movado M90 Steel Chronograph Watch, 1930s
- Maker / attribution
- Movado (maker)
- Date
- 1930s
- Historical period
- Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking (1900 – 1945)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Materials / technique
- steel
- Dimensions
- Case 33 mm
- Stock no.
- W-1047
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Bulang & Sons (W-1047)
- Catalogue title (original)
- Movado M90 Steel Chronograph Watch (English)
View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction
Record summary
Catalogued by Bulang & Sons (dealer), Copenhagen (stock number W-1047), this is a wristwatch by Movado, made in Switzerland, dated 1930s. The Atlas places it in the Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking period (1900 – 1945) of its Wristwatches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: steel. Recorded dimensions: Case 33 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 — Bulang & Sons
This timepiece is curated from Carlo Biagiolis private collection. Here's his take: "The 1930s Movado M90 chronograph features a very similar case to that of the famous Patek 130. It features Movado’s high class M90 movement which was outstanding back at the time – and still is. Details like the snake-shaped hand are just the cherry on top. I bought this watch several years ago at the Parma Fair." Here's ours: This is an incredible looking Movado steel chronograph that dates to the 1930s. Movado, founded in 1881, has become a very popular brand with collectors over the past few years. Having handled and enjoyed this watch, we can see why! The watch houses a two-tone silver dial with cool outer blue and inner snail scales. The dial features two sub dials and we particularly love the serpent chrono hand on the minutes register – so cool and a subtle touch. The 33mm case features olive shaped pushers and a large winding crown. The watch is fitted with a period correct Oyster-style straight endlink steel bracelet. The calibre M90 movement has been fully checked by our watchmaker Specifications - Movado M90 Chronograph - 33mm steel case - Dates to the 1930s - Two-tone dial - Olive form pushers - Movado cal M90 movement - Comes on a generic Oyster-style bracelet - Fully checked by our watchmaker - Includes a handmade leather watch pouch Read the interview about Carlo and his life as a collector here
Historical context
Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking (1900 – 1945)
The wristwatch displaces the pocket watch; waterproof cases, self-winding and grand complications.
The wristwatch overtook the pocket watch. Military use in the First World War, aviation, water-resistant cases (1926), automatic winding (1923–31), rectangular Art Deco designs and early chronographs and calendars defined the period.
Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Industrial Revolution
Atlas type guide
Chronographs and split-seconds watches
A chronograph is a watch with an additional seconds hand that can be started, stopped and returned to zero independently of the timekeeping. Louis Moinet built an early example in 1816 and Nicolas Rieussec a recording 'chronographe' in 1821; Adolphe Nicole's heart-shaped reset cam (patented 1862) made the modern return-to-zero possible. Split-seconds (rattrapante) chronographs add a second hand that can be stopped for intermediate times; flyback chronographs restart instantly.
Chronographs were essential tools for doctors (pulsometer scales), artillery (telemeter), engineers and sport. In wristwatches, Valjoux, Venus, Lemania and later the automatic chronographs of 1969 (Zenith El Primero, the Chronomatic Calibre 11 group and Seiko 6139) are milestones.
What to look for
- Push-pieces on the case band or a single button in the crown (monopusher).
- Subsidiary registers for minutes and hours; tachymeter, telemeter or pulsometer scales.
- Column wheel versus cam control visible in the movement.
- Calibre markings of specialist makers (Valjoux, Lemania, Venus, Landeron).
Dating clues
- Pocket chronographs with heart cam reset: after 1862.
- Wrist chronographs: from c. 1910; two-button designs from the 1930s.
- Automatic chronographs: from 1969.
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.
Read next:Flyback chronographChronograph
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