Horological Meandering

 
I simply have to share (OK, brag!) with you this beautiful vintage 1940 Movado dress watch, which has just arrived from this month’s auction of some of the 2,000 watches being sold by the estate of the fanatical Dutch collector Jan Willem Frederik Baron van Wassenaer (1933 -2014) during the rest of 2016.This watch must have been pre-owned when the baron acquired it because he only started collecting watches in his early 20’s.


Polished 18ct WG curved case and the refinished dial has applied rose gilt Arabic numerals of varying “exploded” sizes around the dial.I love rectangular art-deco watches and I was seduced immediately I saw the auction catalogue. Subsidiary seconds at 6.Rose gilt cathedral hands and matching minute markers.Even the tiny 5-second markers are matching RG.A respectable, especially for 1940, 25mm x 36mm in size, the watch is perfect for my slim wrist and is so light at 28 grams.The case has a very finely hinged opening back.  The movement friction hacks.


The slightly loose Milus made and well-matched lizard strap I shall likely change because I prefer stitched-seamed straps.Fixed WG bars mean sourcing a quality open-ended strap where the choice is rather limited.   I have found a supplier with an available croc.Finding a matching pin-buckle will be a trial I think.


I am aware Purists prefer vintage watches in their original condition, especially their dials.Whoever had refurbished this watch did a remarkable job and the calibre 150M movement looks amazingly bright with Geneva stripes.There are several jewellers’ marks inside the very clean case, so this watch has been cared for and lightly worn.However the movement really now needs a service because it gains too much for my liking, in spite of its age.  I have regulated the movement a little and will see how it settles on my wrist.  I am enjoying wearing it for the while as we all do when we have submitted ourselves to a new toy!  My jealous harem of other watches will soon demand their attention!

Best

Clive

This message has been edited by chippytime on 2016-05-25 06:49:00

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