Movado Hermetic

1920's Movado Full Hermetic Mens Nickel Watch - Early Waterproof Design

Today’s offering presents an interesting, significant, and increasingly difficult-to-find Movado Hermetic wristwatch, produced circa the 1920s, during the formative years of waterproof wristwatch development. This example remains original, preserving the design, construction, and materials that define early hermetic case experimentation. During the early twentieth century, dust and water were among the greatest enemies of wristwatches. Before modern gaskets and compression systems were perfected, manufacturers experimented with fully sealed case architectures in an effort to protect delicate movements. Among the most advanced of these early solutions were fully hermetic designs, in which the movement was enclosed within a sealed inner case and further protected by an outer, screw-secured shell. This Movado employs exactly such a system. Its screw-down bezel forms an integral part of the sealing mechanism, creating a jar-like closure that compresses the case components together to resist dust and water ingress. Unlike later partial solutions, this was a true attempt at full environmental isolation - a concept that would directly inform the next generation of waterproof cases. This was decades before the tool watch era of dive watches. Fully hermetic watches were precursor to icons that ultimately took waterproof ratings to deep depths like the Rolex Submariner or Blancpain Fifty Fathoms that followed. During this same period, multiple manufacturers were racing to solve the problem of waterproofing, often arriving at different technical solutions simultaneously. Case makers such as François Borgel (FB) were supplying hermetic constructions to a variety of brands, while Rolex was pursuing its own path toward what would ultimately become the Oyster case. Movado’s Hermetic belongs squarely within this competitive moment - a parallel solution developed during the same era, reflecting the industry-wide push toward sealed, dust- and water-resistant wristwatches before any single standard emerged. Within only a few years, these early hermetic approaches would be eclipsed by newer systems - most notably the Oyster case patented in 1926 - making surviving hermetic watches like this Movado especially scarce today. It was a “bridge watch” connecting the simplicity and refinement of the 1920's with the tool-watch DNA of the mid-20th century. This example shows authenticity and character with its imperfections - signs of use and honest patina of a watch that truly lived its purpose - while still remaining in good condition. In person, the crystal does not look cloudly like the photos seem to suggest. The inner mineral glass crystal has a few scratches on it. Please inquire if you would like it replaced - it could easily be done. One of our watchmakers has cleaned and oiled the movement and adjusted the hairspring. We have also tested the watch on a machine that spins it in all directions simulating it being worn - it is keeping accurate time. For the finishing touch, it comes equipped with a new leather strap designed for fixed lug watches making it ready for immediate enjoyment. Included with the purchase is a one-year C.O.T. international warranty on the movement and its function and a full-page custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity. The Movado full hermetic was built for an age of innovation between the wars, when explorers and adventure seekers need watches as robust as their aspirations. With its elegant Art Deco styling and pioneering caes design, this 1920's example captures the spirit of adventure that defined its time. Your watch is important to us, and we will take care of it for its lifetime. We provide the best after sale care in the business with an extremely experienced team of four Master Watchmakers all of whom each have over thirty-five years of experience and a large number of parts. One used to be the watchmaker for an authorized Rolex dealership and was given special training by Rolex at their Beverly Hills Service Center.