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Movado Mono-Pusher Chronograph (Ref. 159) 18k YG "Enamel Dial", 1930s — view 1 of 6
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Movado Mono-Pusher Chronograph (Ref. 159) 18k YG "Enamel Dial", 1930s

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Movado (maker)
Date
1930s
Country of origin
Switzerland
Object type
Wristwatch
Dimensions
Case 30 mm
Stock no.
MOVMPC159
Credit line
Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (MOVMPC159)
Catalogue title (original)
1930s Movado Mono-Pusher Chronograph (Ref. 159) 18k YG "Enamel Dial" (English)

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Record summary

Catalogued by Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles (stock number MOVMPC159), 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. Recorded dimensions: Case 30 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

Movado may just be the perfect example of the joy of vintage watches in relation to their modern counterparts. In the mid-century, Movado competed with the likes of Rolex and Patek Philippe for design accolades and dollars, establishing themselves as a premium manufacturer. One whose influence is still very much felt today. This beautiful 1930's chronograph is a prime piece of that history, one that effortlessly combines the class of 18k yellow gold and snow-white enamel with the sport and sophistication of the seldom-seen but highly coveted mono-pusher chronograph. Stock # MOVMPC159 Brand Movado Style Mono-Pusher Chronograph Model 159 Serial 020XXXX Size Men's/ Unisex Material 18k Yellow Gold Dial White Enamel Millimeters 29.5 Bracelet Nylon Single Pass NATO Strap CASE & BRACELET The nearly 30mm 18k yellow gold case is in beautiful condition for a watch nearly a century old. The case features short and beautifully curved lugs, connected by a solid strap bar, as well as a gold snap-down case back. The case retains its original chronograph pusher integrated crown. The watch will come supplied on a single-pass NATO strap. DIAL & HANDS The first thing you notice when looking at this Movado is the dial shining back at you. The white enamel is the perfect backdrop for the deep black Breguet numerals, chronograph registers, and the gorgeous pop of red of the pulsations scale. It also features beautifully tapered blued steel minute and hour hands, besides a thin and elegant chronograph hand. The dial itself does show some minor signs of age and light surface cracking which is to be expected for the age and originality of the watch. ACCESSORIES None. The watch is keeping time and is in perfect working condition, previous service history is unknown.

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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