Movado Calatrava

Movado Manual Wind 12747 Cal. 75 Big Calatrava Retailed by Hausman & Co.

Founded in 1881, Movado has become one of the most interesting watchmakers around with a longstanding history of making some incredible timepieces. While the modern watchmaker Movado that we know of today is certainly not typically associated with high-end luxury watchmaking, the brand’s earlier years were filled with prestige as they earned a reputation as one of Switzerland’s finest watchmakers. By the 1940s, Movado had grown from relatively humble beginnings to one of the industry’s leading brands. As such, their watches were worn by some of the world’s elite and vintage timepieces like the “Big Calatrava” ref. 12747 that we have here is straight out of Movado's golden age. Debuted in the 1940s, the Big Calatrava, as it is known, is famed for its resemblance to the Patek Philippe Calatrava ref. 570, which was in production around the same time. Made of stainless steel and boasting a 35mm diameter, the ref. 12747 is a wonderfully dynamic dress watch that has become a vintage Movado collector’s dream. Retailed by Hausman & Co. as stamped on its dial at 12 o’clock, this example’s dial has aged to include a rich creamy yellow patina that gives it a wonderfully vintage aesthetic. With a thin bezel, long lugs, and a large winding crown, the ref. 12747 was way ahead of it time, and would perfectly slot into a modern watch collection, especially with its esteemed cal. 75 movement and large case for the time.