Are Movados taboo or something?

In my opinion Movado became a one trick pony with their museum watch. Also I think they took the fashion watch route with their brands and making some money so why change?

I like the look, but not enough to buy one.

First of all, what a great experience reading your story here. I love hidden aspect of this story is how much you have seemed to grow as a person that is really awesome, kudos brother.

Secondly, it's hard to look objectively at Movado for me because like invita for example who was an decent watch brand before the quarts crisis. However they are also a conglomerate who make and specialize in fashion watches and there's something impressive to say that they found a market and brought a dead business to life with notable brands that general consumers find appealing. It's the Macy's, Nordstrom Crowds who just can't stay away.

They may be a carved out pumpkin to look like old Movado but I'll be remiss to not acknowledge that the design of the Movado is instantly recognizable and held in especially black communities to be a status symbol of class and sophistication. I think that in that vein is a market necessity.

But to enthusists it's going to be a hard sell because we see through the empty shell they are parading as heritage, and the fashion watch brands, as necessary as they are don't typically demand the same respect of enthusists which is sometimes Citizens problem too where they try to market to both series watch enthusists and fashion watch people.

If you like them, that is all that matters. It is a timeless design and people enjoy it. Throw in the fact it came from your partner, what others think should not matter.

To me, there is a tale of two Movados. One was their chronos and other watches pre-Museum watch design theft. And everything after that.

The first watch I received, for what I thought was serious money, was a Museum watch. At the time I thought it was a classy looking watch and 25 years later, it remains the watch I received the most compliments on. It lasted about three years before the module died and they would not stand behind it making it essentially useless. Happened to also be at the end of that relationship, but that is another story. As I got more into the hobby I learned of the history behind the design and never looked at them again.

At the right price they are reasonable fashion watches. They will likely never be an enthusiast brand, but there is a glimmer of hope. Recently they relaunched their some retro chronos that look cool, but are over priced. Who knows, there is hope.

Most watch collectors don't show much TLC for Movado I don't know why, but I do. Find the one you desire the most and get her. I actually really dig their new SE automatic, but already owned a Movado and don't plan on buying a second one. My best advice is to follow your heart and budget 😎

Kim jong un is a fan of Movado. Me and buddy tease our friend for "supporting the bad Korea" as a joke. I'm a huge fan of Alpina, and from my brief understanding, they supplied the Nazis at one point, but that shouldn't dictate (no pun intended) on not like a watch or brand.

I've never handled one, so I can't speak directly to their relative quality. Based on the vague specs listed on their website, though, I would suspect that there are better value propositions out there. (I mean really, we can be certain. We live in a time where most watches in this price range are getting matched or outperformed by microbrands and Chinese makers.) But on the other hand, they can claim some history and recognition for their trademark pared-down design.

One interesting bonus to that design is that if there *are* QC issues, some won't be noticeable. Hard to be irritated by a misaligned seconds hand of there's no hand! So, to wrap up: Yeah, on balance it's probably a bit overpriced, but not in ways that hardly anyone would notice. I personally would consider getting one of their cheapest models to say "I got that watch that's in MOMA," and save my bigger money for other items.

If you like the handsome minimal style and treasure the gift, however, I don't think any of this matters. You're getting regular joy out of it, so it's "worth" the outlay. You've got a real personal history with this brand/design and that changes the math, doesn't it?

I think the design language of Movados are great! They are definitely good looking watches. However, they are horrendously overpriced at retail.

My overall opinion when I see Movados is "That's a great looking watch; I sure hope they didn't pay full price for it!"

A Movado was one of two watches gifted to me a few years ago that got me back jnto watches.

After not wearing a watch for 20+ years, it was this and another (brace yourself) fashion brand watch that sparked my interest again. Since then I've been flung down this rabbit hole of collecting, and have enjoyed the madness. But I still go by, and buy, what speaks to me, regardless of what's "popular"... because honestly, watches are not popular. So it's easy to just enjoy what you like 😀

A. Lange & Söhne, Wempe, Laco, Stowa and IWC all supplied fliegers to the Nazis. When you see YouTubers enthusing about 'pilot watches' from these brands and 'their heritage', what they really mean to say is, "Hey guys, here's something special! A reissue of a watch design originally made for the Nazis!"

Funny how they never say it quite like that though ;)

And while people try and justify it by saying hey, brands like Hugo Boss and BMW also made stuff for the Nazis, that's perfectly true as well. But you can't go to those brands and buy something today that's a literal 1:1 replica of what they were making back in the 1930s and 40s. That's always the difference.

Thanks for sharing your story :)

If you ask if we think Movado stand firmly in horology as a good buy. The answer is No. Many watch enthusiasts label it as a fashion watch. But who cares? their design is unique and distinctive. It's your wrist 🙂 enjoy the watch! I also own many fashion watches myself too.

So here is my truth

In my teens I really was attracted to the museum watch. When I walked by the AD it look like a super hi end watch. My mother ended up gifting me on for Xmas at the end of my 20’s

Now I just was on the verge to watch enthusiasm and collecting so the more I learned about watches the less I valued the company as a whole

But the Watch she gave me mine as well be a Rolex cuz that’s how I feel about it and it takes me back to when I was a teen

I always thought they were a bit expensive but are nice if you buy right. I got this one for $100. Wouldn’t have paid full retail for it. I like this one but I’m not crazy about the museum model

I have nothing against fashion watches, per se, seeing as how I own one (not Movado, specifically) (Marc Ecko Encore Oz); however, I think Movado is over-priced. They hover in the 450-900 dollar range, when they should be down around the 150-300 dollar range. Thus, I will never own one. If I am going to spend 450+ on a watch, it's going to be a Seiko, or a Tissot, or a Hamilton. Movado doesn't have the watchmaking chops to compete with serious watch brands in that price range.

All companies supported theyr respective countries during war. The people responsible are long gone. Why bother.

"But you can't go to those brands and buy something today that's a literal 1:1 replica of what they were making back in the 1930s and 40s. That's always the difference." Why does it matter? Buying a Stowa Pilotwatch replica doesnt transform you into an Luftwaffe Pilot.

Oh man, I'm not the type to care what people think. I have watches that cost me $14 (my Casio that I wear pretty much every other day) and I have watches that were gifted to me that I don't see what all the fuss is about (rose gold Breitling top time from the 60s-70s). I buy what I like, I wear what I like .. was just wondering why Movados never really got included in watch conversations online.

I'm all for a good looking watch! Not the type to bother myself with anything else about watches. I was just curious as to why it ain't get no air time when I hear other watch nerds geek out.

I know that feeling all too well, I've never really been bothered by the "why that watch" feeling when I'm going to buy a watch. I like it, I buy it, I wear it... I buy another .. the cycle continue. I love the look and I was just curious why we never talked about em.

That's a beautiful watch! I keep looking at their prices and thinking I could buy this or that instead but I actually haven't. Not because they don't get any recognition, just on the fence of what really to get next.

Genuinely, I see them more around the $150 range for the quartz and around $300 for the automatics. So you're spot on there... Surprises me every time I see a $1000+ Movado... Absolutely nuts.

Totally agree, I don't make much bother me when it comes to watches. If I like it I like it really. I was just curious as to why they cost so much and why nobody really talks about em.

Well, I didn't do a deep dive on the site, I just went to Men's >> Automatic and I saw this:

And I thought: "WTF?!?" 🤣

If they do have automatics in the <300 range, they might be worth checking out. 😃

Ha! I wish! Their prices are mind-blowing!

I will again start with my first proud watch was a Museum watch and I bought my wife a couple early in the relationship. They all died an early death, but I have always been a sucker for that design.

The story goes, Nathan George Horwitt designed the watch in the 40s. Vacheron Constantin eventually produced it. It became an instant classic with an original on display at MOMA. Shortly after launch Movado went full Pagani Design, before it was cool, and started producing their own version. He sued and they eventually settled decades later and ever since they lean heavy on a heritage that by all accounts was stolen from Horwitt and VC.

Modern Movado has nothing to do with what happened a half a century ago, but it remains a shame, because the Museum design is timeless and what they largely produce are disposable fashion watches.

I'd love to see what you got boxed up, I just wish they didn't make so many "Homages"

Oh wow... I'm all for having a design "inspired" by another brand but stealing a design is criminal.. I really thought they got the minimalism from HM & Cie... Thanks for that. This I love about this community, there's so much to learn.

Funny enough Movado pieces from the 70s can fetch quite a few bucks.

I'm sure this watch was 1k USD at most in the 70s

Obviously those pieces are quite rare.

They made some great chronos.

Sounds about right for me as well.

Check out my profile, nearly half of them were on daily wrist shot