• Brand and manufacturer - Movado, Switzerland
  
• Year - 1950's
• Serial - A2126587
• Model - 18481
• Movement & caliber - Automatic, Movado 4147
• Case diameter - 32.5mm

A stainless steel automatic Movado Watch with retail signature. A very rare and handsome stainless steel round case, very similar to what went on to become the Sub Sea early waterproof dive watches. The dial is an unusual applied Arabic numeral designed dial with a subsidiary seconds hand sweeping through at the 6 o'clock position. Through the crosshairs of this subsidiary seconds dial is the signature for the luxury English retail company, Mappin & Webb.

Movado had long running relationships with a number of prestigious retailers such as Cartier in France, Tiffany & Co. here in America, and Mappin & Webb in England. Movado supplied a variety of clocks and watches to Mappin including pieces like the Emreto travel watches and a wide variety of calendar and time only wrist watches. Many of which were popular with members of the Royal Navy. Numerous adverts illustrating the two brands relationship can be found, but very few co-branded pieces come up for sale. Making this a rare talking point for this particular watch.

The watch is powered by an automatic bumper wind, Movado caliber. Although modern Movado watches may leave much to be desired. The brand has a storied history. They made some incredibly important watches and clocks over the years, including very complicated wristwatches and time only pieces with exacting chronometer grade movements.

This watch is likely from the early 1950’s. The dial is original, and not re-finished. There is wear and patina to the dial, but for a watch around 70 years old this enhances the look and overall feel. The screw back case is fun god condition, again showing signs of wear commensurate with age, but no damage. The dial has its original luminous material both in the steel dauphine hands and on the hour plots. Although a slightly more diminutive size than many may be used to, it wears very well in the wrist and would look excellent with a dress shirt, fitting neatly under a cuff.

An excellent automatic vintage dress watch from a brand that is slowly gaining the following it once had in droves, all over the world.