Movado M95 Sub-Sea 'Panda' Chronograph, c. 1960s

Dealer description — Analog/Shift

Founders Select In my estimation, vintage Movado is a sleeping giant that is just beginning to stir. From pre-war chronometers and dress watches to mid-century chronographs and golden-era sporting watches, the brand history is incredible, and for the time being largely overlooked by the collector community. Take this panda-dialed M95 from the 60s - just LOOK at it! See what I mean? -James Lamdin Movado released water-resistant wristwatches as early as 1935, and by the 1960s was producing dive watches to compete with the era's better known offerings from brands such as Rolex or Omega. The Sub-Sea range consisted of divers and chronographs alike, with plenty of variety in case size, dial variations, and movement offerings. Dating to circa the 1960s, this Sub-Sea Chronograph is an absolute gem of a mid-century chronograph to rival the best. With a 35mm stainless steel case by François Borgel — better knows for manufacturing cases for Patek Philippe (who, by the way, used Borgel cases on their waterproof chronographs at the same time) — it features lovely faceted lugs with a signed crown, a desirable white 'panda' dial with black sub registers and applied indices, and Movado's Calibre M95 manual winding chronograph movement inside. No doubt a stunner of a piece, the Sub-Sea range is functional and packs some serious horological chops. These have slipped under the radar of most collectors, and examples with a sharp, defined case with thick lugs and a clean dial dont pop up as often as you might think, and we're always happy to have one come through. Though, they dont last!