MOVADO SUB-SEA DATRON DIVER NOS

Description

Item description: The Movado Sub-Sea Datron Diver watch is classed as the world’s first self-winding chronograph, even although three other companies made a stake for the claim. Possibly they all have to share the award. But, one thing is for sure, it is the El Primero movement  of the Zenith-Movado partnership, that is regarded as most appealing visually, being both more compact, and not requiring an awkward left side crown, as do the other self-winding chrongraphs brought out that year. The Movado ‘El Primero’ self-winding chronograph of 1969 was named the Movado Sub-Sea Datron HS360., with a quick-set day date set at 12.00. The watch has a satined and polished stainless steel case, with the so-called ‘deep-blue’ dial with three sub-registers in contrast to the background. The dial bearing the Movado logo, with name and designation, ‘Datron HS 360’. Winding crown with Movado logo, with polished chronograph pushers either side. Reverse with a screw on case-back with the ‘Sub-Sea’ designation engraved to the border. The watch with the Movado signed El Primero movement. The watch complete with a new old stock Tropic style divers rubber strap of the 1970s (non-branded buckle).

Case size: 43mm x 38mm

Condition report:  New old stock condition with minimal use showing. Beautiful satined and polished case. Original ‘deep-blue’ dial with light aging only. The case-back perfect with satined and polished finish. ‘Sub-Sea’ designation clear. Movement recently serviced (no warranty implied). The timepiece may have been opened, so it should not be used near moisture or water without being checked by a qualified watchmaker. Tropic style original 1960s / 1970s rubber strap in new old stock condition (possibly original to the watch). This example of the Movado El Primero Sub-Sea diver, is undoubtedly one of the best and most original examples on the market today.

Background to Movado: Movado was founded in 1881 in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, by Achilles Ditesheim. The company produced high quality timepieces, including chronographs. Perhaps from a public perspective, Movado are most famous for their ‘Museum Watch’. Designed in 1947 by Bauhaus-influenced artist Nathan George Horwitt, the watch dial has a very simple design defined by a solitary dot at 12, symbolizing the sun at high noon. Movado brought out the first ‘Museum Watch’ in 1960, and an example of the Movado Museum watch was selected for the permanent design collection of the Museum of Modern Art, New York in that same year. During the 1960s, Movado collaborated with Zenith to produce what was arguably the world’s first automatic chronograph wristwatch. The new movement, named the ‘El Primero’ was ground breaking for its time, and was used both by Movado in their Sub-Sea Datron watch launched in 1969, alongside Zenith’s own Sub-Sea watch. The El Primero movement went on to be used in the Rolex Daytona, and a modern version of this same movement is still used by Zenith to this day. In 1983, the Movado company was purchased by Cuban born Gedalio Grinberg, who fled from Fidel Castro’s Marxist Revolution in 1960 with his family, settling in the USA. His son, Efraim Grinberg, is the current Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Movado Group, Inc. In 2006, Movado celebrated its 125th year of watchmaking.

Special notes: n/a

Provenance: n/a

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