Movado. An Early and Rare 14k Gold Rectangular Curved Hinged Wristwatch
Lot 119 Property of a Massachusetts Collector

Movado. An Early and Rare 14k Gold Rectangular Curved Hinged Wristwatch

SIGNED MOVADO, POLYPLAN MODEL, REF. 44009, MOVEMENT NO. 401'485, CASE NO. 401'693, CIRCA 1915

Closed14 December 2012

Price Realised

USD 10,625

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Movado. An Early and Rare 14k Gold Rectangular Curved Hinged Wristwatch
Signed Movado, Polyplan Model, Ref. 44009, Movement No. 401'485, Case No. 401'693, Circa 1915
Cal. 400 rectangular curved mechanical movement with both ends angled downwards, 15 jewels, silvered matte dial, applied Breguet numerals, subsidiary dial for constant seconds, oversized rectangular curved case with winding crown at 12 o'clock, engraved curved hinged case back, case, dial and movement signed
22mm wide & 55mm overall length

Specialist note

The Movado Polyplan was launched in 1912 and made in 18K and 14K gold and silver cases, with or without a seconds hand. At the time it was such an expensive watch that apparently only some 1,500 examples were produced.

The plate of the Polyplan 400 caliber movement is angled at both ends to fit into the curved case, the compensation balance is placed under the dial. This placement allowed the use of a larger balance resulting in a more accurate watch. The horizontal section of the plate contains the gear train and barrel, while the setting wheel, stem and crown are located in the upper angled part. Furthermore the Polyplan features a unique regulator arm which can be reached from the back so that the movement does not need to be removed from the case for adjusting.

The Polyplan model is described and illustrated in The Movado History by Fritz von Osterhausen, pp. 34-39, and in Armbanduhren - 100 Jahre Entwicklungsgeschichte by Kahlert, Mhe, Brunner, fifth edition, p. 43, pl. 62 and p. 224, pl. 432-436.