An automatic, stainless steel Movado Tempo-Matic Sub Sea retailed by Tiffany & Co. This very handsome and classic 'time only' screw back cased watch was a combination of two of the most classic wrist watches made by Movado post World War Two; the 'Sub Sea' watches was the branding used for a range of water-resistant type models. This can be seen here by the screw down stainless steel case back that helps to increase water resistance. The Tempomatic was used to describe Movado's automatic movement powered watches.
The all original dial on the watch is a beautiful and simple silver finish, black printing with applied stick markers, with double width markers on the quarter and half markers for easy reading. The hands are a long fine pencil style. At the base of the dial it is marked "Switzerland T". This indicates not only that the watch was made in Switzerland, but also that it features Tritium luminous material. The luminous material is used on both the hands and above the hour markers. They are all present and respond uniformly to ultra violet light and the colour has turned into a handsome light cream. The dial overall is in superb condition.
The watch is powered by an automatic caliber 600 movement which was an adoptation from the Eta caliber 2471 êbauche used by Movado from 1960 all the way though to 1969. The rotor has the iconic M logo at its center and is all brass finished. This seventeen jewel movement beats at eighteen thousand BPH and includes the Incablock shock absorber. The movement also has the Movado import mark stamped into the movement "MXI" showing original importation into the United States. This can be confirmed by the other appealing detail to the watch; the retail signature of Tiffany & Co.
Movado had a long lasting relationship with the luxury American jewellery company that dated back to the early part of the twentieth century. It ranged across the board from making clocks, watches and jewellery with time pieces set into them. As the years passed this grew to more affordably priced and daily wearing watches such as this. However, coming across original examples like this still remains rare. The case is in good overall condition showing light polishing over the years, and the case back has a few scratches from where tools have slipped while opening. However, nothing overly detrimental. The crown is plain, and does not feature the Movado logo, so it is possible that this has been replaced at some point.
A watch that is easy to dress up and down, and is so simple in design it leaves nothing to not like about it. Add to it the addition of the Tiffany retail signature and you have the cherry on the cake of a classic 1960's timepiece.
