Movado Calendomatic

“… hold infinity in the palm of your hand, and eternity in an hour.”

So goes the opening lines of William Blake’s “Auguries of Innocence,” but in triple calendar wristwatches like this one, Blake’s words are made manifest.

Calendar watches aren’t a new invention, necessarily. To the contrary, they even existed in pocket watches. Mr. Blake himself might have contemplated existence as he stared into the dial of one, watching the stately movement of the hands as the seconds ticked by.

But the complication found its niche in wristwatches in the middle of the 1950s.

Though this watch may not truly capture eternity, it reveals the catalog of daily existence. Seconds, which turn into minutes; minutes into hours; hours into days; days into months. All in a handsome, compact package that is as visually-appealing as it is a technical marvel (and looks much better than a calendar app on your phone).

This one was made by Movado, an old brand whose current status belies their history. While they were known mainly for their chronographs (which they made as a subsidiary of Zenith), watches like this one truly illustrated the brand’s capacity for innovation and refinement. We’ve offered versions in steel before, but this one in 18k gold is a simply splendid.

Though the complication is enjoying something of a resurgence thanks to brands like Jaeger-LeCoultre and Girard-Perregaux, mid-century examples like this one embody the style and precision that Movado mastered at the zenith of its power.

While Movado is now best known as a producer of fashion watches like the Museum Watch, Movado's roots go much deeper than that. The company’s history reaches all the way back to 1881, when watchmaker Achilles Ditesheim opened a workshop in La Chaux-de-Fonds. His brothers Léopold and Isidore joined him in 1886.

Production from that point on proved how true the name brand was—it means "always in motion" in Esperanto. Throughout the 20th century Movado produced incredible mechanical timepieces. They gained notoriety for the sophistication of the equipment and technology they employed, including electric tools.

Unlike many of their counterparts, Movado's movements were designed and manufactured in-house.

In the late 1960s, they were acquired by Zenith, and enjoyed perhaps their greatest period of success as the subsidiary of that brand. Their chronographs (which used the famous Zenith El Primero movement), particularly, were successful sellers. But the extent of their offerings didn’t end there. They also made killer dress watches like the one we have here.

Our Pledge

Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a one-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.