Movado M95 Sub-Sea 'Panda' Chronograph

 

Today, Movado is probably best known for producing accessibly-priced fashion watches such as the always-popular Museum Watch collection. But from the 1930s through the 1960s Movado was producing tough, purpose-driven watches that stood their ground with the best-known professional grade wrist instrumentation of the times.

Movado released water-resistant wristwatches as early as 1935, and by the 1960s was producing dive watches to compete with the era's better known offerings from brands such as Rolex or Omega. The Sub-Sea range consisted of divers and chronographs alike, with plenty of variety in case size, dial variations, and movement offerings.

Dating to circa the 1960s, this Sub-Sea Chronograph is an absolute gem of a mid-century chronograph to rival the best. With a 35mm stainless steel case by François Borgel — better knows for manufacturing cases for Patek Philippe (who, by the way, used Borgel cases on their waterproof chronographs at the same time) — it features lovely faceted lugs with a signed crown, a desirable white 'panda' dial with black sub registers and applied indices, and Movado's Calibre M95 manual winding chronograph movement inside.

No doubt a stunner of a piece, the Sub-Sea range is functional and packs some serious horological chops. These have slipped under the radar of most collectors, and examples with a sharp, defined case with thick lugs and a clean dial dont pop up as often as you might think, and we're always happy to have one come through.

Though, they dont last!

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.

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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.