A Rare, Fine and Large, circa 1910-1920s Movado Tonneau shaped watch, in 14ct Yellow Gold, with Original Silvered dial with exaggerated Arabic numerals. Manually wound early Movado Calibre 150. Measuring 26mm x 40mm. Recently serviced.
 
This is a very rare and desirable piece of Art Deco design from Movado. A breath-taking wristwatch, with a huge presence in 14ct gold. The case is somewhere inbetween yellow and rose gold, with a light copper tone. The Tonneau shaped case spills over traditional case margins and strict lines, with its exuberant curved design. The case is elegantly curved to the wrist.
 
This is complimented by the bold and imposing, exaggerated Arabic numerals. The original glass maintains the curvature over the dial with a complex curve, neatly topping off the design. Signed Movado at 12 O’clock on a neat silvered dial, lacking a second hand as to not distract from the dress aesthetic of the dial. The minute track follows the bulging lines of the case to ensure continuity. The minutes are noted, with thicker black markings for the hours. The exaggerated Arabic numerals lap around the dial, dropping larger at 11, 12, 1 and 5, 6, 7.
 
The hands are original and have aged handsomely, originally having a thermally blued finish, it has developed a bronze tone in areas.
 
The movement is a Movado Calibre 150 which has been recently serviced. It is marked as being adjusted to four positions, with 15 jewels. The jewels are set in gold chatons, a hallmark of Haute Horlogerie in watchmaking. The watch has been serviced and does not have box or papers, as this is exceedingly rare for pieces from this era. This outstanding Art Deco design piece speaks for itself. Offered at a reasonable price for such an example.
 
This is not a watch for everyday wear. The case is particularly fragile due to the nature of wear with the case retaining screws, as is visible in the detailed images. This is the original movement. It has been serviced but will only keep time to within under 2 minutes or so a day. The loss of time also worsens the more the power in the mainspring drops. This is due to the extreme age of the watch and natural wear.
 
Dial:
The dial is in good condition for the age. All signing and tracks are clean and without wear. It is completely original. The dial tone is silvered and has some areas with darker dirt deposits. There is some marking to the lower corners in particular, but this does not detract from the overall clean condition.
 
Hands:
The hands are original and of the Spade style with a thermally Blued finish. The blue tone has given way to a bronze tone in areas. This looks excellent.
 
Glass:
The original thick glass remains in good condition. It has one slightly deeper scratch, but this isn’t overly noticeable and does not distract from the dial.
 
Crown:
The crown seems like an older replacement. Some wear to the plating.
 
Case:
The 14ct gold case front is in average-good condition. There are multiple light surface scratches.
 
Caseback:
The case back is formed of 14ct gold and is in average to poor condition. Only two case screws have been fitted. These are also replacements in stainless steel as the original ones will have been gold. The case would struggle to contain its movement, dial and glass with all of the case screws in. The holes have worn due to years of tightly holding the case together.
 
Strap:
The strap is a Genuine Leather strap for fixed lugs, with is held in place with metal tabs. The strap will fit up to a 7.5” wrist diameter. The watch is modelled on a 7” wrist circumference to give a clear idea of the proportions.
 
Movement:
The movement is a Movado Calibre 150 which has been recently serviced. It is marked as being adjusted to four positions, with 15 jewels. The jewels are set in gold chatons, a hallmark of Haute Horlogerie in watchmaking. This is the original movement. It has been serviced but will only keep time to within under 2 minutes or so a day. The loss of time also worsens the more the power in the mainspring drops. This is due to the extreme age of the watch and natural wear.
 
Case dimensions:
The case is well proportioned and very wearable with a good lug to lug length adding to its presence.
 
Case width: 26mm
Case width with crown: 27.5mm
Case length: 39mm
Case length lug to lug: 43.5mm
Case Depth: 10.8mm
Lug width: 10mm