Movado Triple Date Steel, 1940s

Dealer description — S.Song Watches

As someone who began watch-dealing through collecting vintage watches, Movado is a brand you simply cannot overlook—no, I am not talking about the modern-day Movado, which pales in comparison to its historic stature. For those who do not know, Movado was once renowned for crafting some of the world's finest watches from the 1930s to the 1970s. This Triple Calendar we have here today exemplifies their golden era of watchmaking excellence, a testament to their enduring legacy well into the latter half of the 20th century and beyond. While a 33mm case might seem small to some, it's important to remember that specifications on paper don’t always tell the full story—especially with watches from the 1940s. In this case, the Movado Triple Calendar features straight-faceted lugs with a subtle downturn curvature, which more than make up for its modest size and contribute to its exceptional wearability. Housed within this slim, stepped case is a captivating two-tone dial with a well-balanced calendar complication. The dial’s periphery is marked with a date indicator, with day and month indicators at 9:00 and 3:00, respectively. A small-second sub-dial at 6:00 adds further symmetry, while the luminous hands and the distinctive red arrow-tipped date hand provide both contrast and visual interest. Powering this compact mechanical marvel is the Movado Cal. 470, a 15-jewel, no-frills manual-winding movement equipped with day, date and month-display functions, along with a respectable 36-hour power reserve. It is simple, and functional, and yet offers a charming complexity. "Quirky, compact yet mighty” —that’s how I would describe this remarkable Movado Triple Calendar. It's an intriguing, fun, and distinctive piece that provides outstanding value, making it an excellent addition to any vintage watch collection.