Movado 431 Tri-Tone 'Salesman Sample'

A time-only Movado offers a ton of value in the watch world. Movado as a brand is a shell of its former self.

Movado, established in 1881, made some of the finest time-only and complicated watches of the 20th century. Their famed triple-calendar watches of the 1940s and ‘50s and Super Sub Sea chronographs from the 1960s are highly sought after by collectors, and for good reason — combining high-quality movements with attractive design, they’re the type of timepieces that draw people headfirst into the horological world.

This piece is something we've never seen before - period.

What seemingly looks intentionally designed for the contemporary wearer with its open work display and integrated design, it's likely this piece was made to showcase the brand's watchmaking, finishing and manufacturing capabilities as a "salesman's sample".

That's right, imagine being Movado-curious in the 1960s and the sales associate behind the counter presents this beauty on a tray as a visual example for all the neat things the brand was up to!

Housed in a beautiful 40mm yellow and rose gold case with an unsigned crown and an acrylic crystal, it features an open work movement providing a perfect view of the mechanics of the manufacture's Calibre 431 automatic winding movement. If the mechanics weren't a dead giveaway, then the bold reheat engraving confirms the Calibre's presence.

The highlight of this piece is its tri-tone gold bracelet affording one of the coolest and most striking aesthetics on the market!

Svelte, handsome and housing the brand's first full-rotor automatic movement, this is a dress watch for someone who’s gone deep down the horological rabbit hole.

Not many Movado's like this one floatin' around!