Movado Watches
Movado Watches
Movado Group Inc. is the official name of the company that owns and operates Movado Watches as well as several other well known brands such as Ebel, Concord, ESQ Swiss and Tommy Hilfiger. The company distributes these goods worldwide through its own boutiques as well as jewelry stores.
Founded in 1881 the company has been in operation consistently since that time and has steadily built itself a niche in the world market place. It now owns and operates over 20 boutiques world wide and pieces sell for an average of $500.00 to $1500.00 each. The majority of the revenue for the pieces is generated in North America.
Movado watches are known for their clean lines and stylish good looks. Many of their time pieces bear no facial ornamentation except for the hands, the company stampings and a single gold dot at the twelve oa€™clock position. This clean surface gives the watches an allure that is both timeless and elegant. Many of the models feature Swiss quartz movements which are known world wide for their durability and longevity.
One of the most famous Movado time pieces is the Esperanza which was first created in 1987 by Florian Strasser, General Manager of Movado and Gedalio Grinberg. This model has sold over one million watches and is still part of their collection to this day.
The company manufactures the famous Movado Museum timepieces which are highly collectible and are found in museums and galleries as well as private collections. With over two hundred international awards for creativity it is not surprising that Movado would be considered by many to be among the premier watch companies of the world.
Movado advertises its watches extensively. In fact it was considered to be among the top three advertising watch companies along with Timex and SMH in 1996 with a total advertising budget of over 1 million dollars each. Much of the advertising is print advertising such as magazines and newspapers.
In 2005 retail sales are said to have been in the area of $73.9 million and wholesale sales were $345 million. Movado is currently in good financial health and is expected to remain so through 2006 and 2007.
Movado Watches - A Brief History
Movado watches began in 1881 in La Chaux-de-Fonds Switzerland. The founder of the company was one Achille Ditisheim who began with just six employees. At this time all the watches produced were handcrafted by this small team.
The company quickly grew to prominence receiving six first class Official Rating Certificates in their class by 1899 and a silver medal in 1900 at the Universal Exhibition in Paris. By 1905, inspired by these successes the company began in earnest to pursue the dream of creating watches that exhibited both excellence in function and design. It was also in 1905 that the company settled on the name Movado for their company.
In 1910 the company received several awards for their 8 ligne movement at Grand Prix Exhibitions in Rome, Brussels, Paris and Rio de Janeiro. 1912 saw the release of the now famous and highly sought Polypan watch.
In 1947 Movado began producing the first of their Museum watches. The piece was designed by US resident Nathan George Horwitt. Horwitt, a talented designer, created a watch with a clean, uncluttered face and a simple gold dot at the 12:00 position.
Perhaps the most famous Movado watch of all time is the Esperanza. Created by Movado General Manager Florian Strasser and Gedalio Grinberg the first Esperanza models were produced in 1987. The idea behind this model was to create a watch that retained the clean lines of the Museum watches but to bring to it a new and vibrant sense of a lighthearted life style. The Esperanza collection continues to this day.
Over the years Movado has also collaborated with many other designers and artists including Andy Warhol. These projects have resulted in a series of one of a kind, limited editions. Examples of these pieces reside in museums, galleries and collections all around the world.
More recent times have seen Movado returning to their roots. One of the watches it has re-introduced is the KingMatic series. The new version of the KingMatic features an automatic movement and sweep second hand.
Movado has over the years produced many fine time pieces and the company has a reputation as one of the finest watch manufacturers in the world.
Movado, a company whose name means “always in motion” in Esperanto, began its life in 1881 in a small workshop in La Chaux-de-faunds, Switzerland. Founded by talented watchmaker Achille Ditisheim and his team of six employees, all watches were manufactured and assembled by hand. By 1899, their hard work and determination had paid off. They were awarded six first-class Official Rating Certificates in their class, and in the following year, they were awarded the Silver Medal at the Universal Exhibition in Paris.
By 1905, the company had settled on its now famous name, Movado, and began in earnest its now famous pursuit of excellence in design and function. They won the 1910 Grand Prix Exhibitions in Paris, Rome, Brussels and Rio de Janeiro 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.
In 1947, American designer Nathan George Horwitt created the first Museum Watch. It featured an uncluttered dial, with a simple gold dot marker at the 12:00 position. He likened the design to that of a sun-dial, like recognizing the sun at its zenith at high noon.
Movado later teamed up with designers and artists such as Andy Warhol to create one-of-a-kind limited edition watches, which reside in museums, galleries, and collections today.
Movado is returning to its roots today. It has re-introduced the KingMatic series, which was originally introduced in the 1950’s, and featured the first automatic movement and sweeping second hand, both driven from a central rotor. Today, the KingMatic features an all stainless steel case, stainless steel or leather bracelet, sapphire crystal, automatic movement, and is water resistant to 50 meters.
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