Movado Cal.245 18ct c1971
Basic Info
Listing code : C5OYN5
Brand : Movado
Reference number : M1345
Dealer product code : M1345Add to favourites
Movement : Manual winding
Case material : Yellow gold
Bracelet material : Leather
Year of production : Unknown
Condition : Used (Very good)
Scope of delivery : No original box, no original papers
Gender : Men's watch/Unisex
Location : United Kingdom, London
Price : 1,855
Availability : Item is in stock
Caliber
Movement : Manual winding
Caliber/movement : 245
Case
Case material : Yellow gold
Case diameter : 22 mm
Water resistance : Not water resistant
Bezel material : Yellow gold
Crystal : Plexiglass
Dial : Silver
Dial numerals : No numerals
Bracelet/strap
Bracelet material : Leather
Bracelet thickness : 3 mm
Clasp material : Steel
Movado
Movado was founded in 1881 under the name LAI Ditescheim in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland by Achille Ditesheim, one of three brothers and a gifted watchmaker who set up his business with just 6 employees, manufacturing pocket watches by hand. During this time, the company operated under the name “L.A.&l. Ditesheim, fabricants”, after the three brothers: Léopold, Achille and Isidore. It later became L. A. I. Ditisheim & Frère when another, unnamed, brother joined. The company grew so quickly that by 1897, the workforce had increased to 80 employees. This is definitely an extraordinary achievement when you consider that in those same years, watchmakers of the likes of LeCoultre employed 100, meanwhile Audemars Piguet had just 10 watchmakers. The hard work paid off and by 1905, the company had gone on to manufacture wristwatches and changed its name to Movado, meaning “always in motion” in the international language of Esperanto.
Over the coming years, Movado watches received acclaim around the world at different trade fairs for their introduction of 8 ligne wristwatch movements. The introduction of the Polyplan watch in 1912 took the watch community by storm, and these watches are highly sought after at auction today.
Movado now create watches for a number of large fashion houses such as Hugo Boss, Juicy Couture and Scuderia Ferrari as well as their own luxury collection.
Key Points
100% Genuine & All Original, Fully Inspected, Serviced & Guaranteed, A Very Lightly Used and Completely Original Example, Immaculate, 18ct Yellow Gold Case in Wonderful Condition, Good Size 22mm x 29mm Diameter Case, Excluding the Movado Crown, Original Unrestored, Untouched Silver Sunburst Dial in Tip-Top Condition, Spectacular Movado Cal.245, 17 Jewel Movement, Serviced and Running Perfectly, High Quality Black Alligator Strap with Plated Movado Buckle, High Quality Hardwood Presentation Box Included, VGWL 12 Months’ Written Warranty Included*, VGWL Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee, Free Worldwide FedEx Delivery, Free UK Special Delivery.
Description
Here we have a wonderful original Movado gentleman’s dress watch from c1971 with a beautiful silver sunburst dial. This is a classic and an excellent 1970s example of some of the outstanding work Movado created. This watch shows hardly any signs of ageing, which is one of the reasons we have to decided to leave this watch alone. However today, given the popularity among ladies to wear gent’s watches, this could equally be considered a suitable watch for a lady.
The Dial
This dial is beautifully symmetrical, well balanced and proportioned. The dial itself, in silver with the sunburst effect, contrasts wonderfully with the yellow gold case, original gilt ‘index’ hands and yellow gold 'baton' hour indices. It is signed with ‘Movado’ at the very top below 12 with ‘Switzerland’ at the very bottom below 6.
The dial is in absolutely superb condition. Typically, a dial of this age will suffer from fading, staining, pitting, spotting and scratches, but this dial looks simply wonderful.
This is the original dial which remains unrestored and untouched. Considering its age and also that it remains unrestored, it is in remarkably good condition.
The Movement
The Movado Cal.245, 17 Jewel hand-wound movement fitted to this watch was one of Movados most successful movements, remaining in production for over 20 years.
The Movado Cal.245 movement is very highly regarded for its accuracy and reliability, making this watch perfectly suited for everyday use as well as evening wear. The movement is in tip-top condition having been overhauled and serviced by our vintage specialist watchmaker which means it has been completely disassembled to all its component parts, carefully inspected under high magnification and replacement where necessary with only genuine Movado parts before careful reassembly and adjustment and calibration. The watch winds, sets and runs perfectly accurately and reliably within +6 seconds per day, averaged over 5 positions which is excellent for any watch of this age and has been confirmed on our electronic watch timegrapher. The movement also has an excellent 36-hour power reserve when fully wound. We are therefore more than confident in offering 12 months’ warranty with this watch movement*.
The movement is correctly signed ‘Movado Factories’, ‘Swiss Made’ and ‘17 Fifteen Jewels’, and carries the Calibre 245.
*Please note – our 12 months’ warranty is only applicable if the list price is paid.
The Case
The totally original, 18ct yellow gold case measures 22mm in diameter, excluding the correctly signed crown, this watch measures 29mm from top to bottom, this may seem like a small watch but in fact, when measured across the diagonal, including the wonderful lugs, it measures 41mm. The case is of a heavy two-piece design with a press-fit case-back and carries attractive swept back lugs. The overall impression is of a classic late 1970s design. It is solid, elegant and of obvious very high quality.
This watch case has been carefully inspected for fatigue marks and there are none. It is very rigid and the case-back is a nice tight fit. Importantly, it is of full thickness and has never been inscribed.
Inside the press-fit case-back, we find all the markings are correct and as expected with 18K and 0.750 and the Movado stamp at the top. The case-back also carries the model number 2526.
As ever, our standard advice applies: Vintage watches should be kept clean and dry at all times.
The Strap and Buckle
The watch is fitted with a new, high quality black alligator strap with a gold-plated buckle. We feel this matches the case nicely and lifts the watch. However, if a different colour or style of strap is preferred, please let us know and we will do our best to oblige free of charge. We carry Tan, Conker, Dark Brown and Black in stock and in plain padded leather, or crocodile skin or lizard skin. For a wider selection, please take a look at the wonderful choice of straps offered by our suppliers, Watch Obsession. We will be pleased to order and fit the strap of your choice, within 24 – 48 hours.
The Box and Papers
Although there are no original papers with this watch, the numbers and markings on the watch are all correct, dating the watch to circa c1971.
Detailed particulars will be included with our purchase receipt for your interest and security. A separate insurance valuation for the replacement value of this watch will be provided at the time of sale along with our unique ‘Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee’ which states: “If this watch proves to be anything less than 100% genuine, authentic and original, a full refund will be given at any time”.
A high quality hardwood presentation box is included in the sale.
In Conclusion
A unique example of a fascinating timepiece which will undoubtedly make an excellent financial investment, as well as be something wonderful to wear, treasure and enjoy! It could make a practical watch for regular or occasional use, as you wish and if it continues to be well cared for and regularly serviced, it will provide dependable service for many decades to come.
This watch carries a great deal more style, individuality and panache than a new watch and to buy the same quality today would be difficult, at 4 or 5 times the price.
However you may wish to view this watch, as each year goes by and the world market grows ever larger, the limited supply and high demand for the finest vintage gold watches means prices will inevitably climb ever higher! 
