I remember I bought this back in 2012 or 13. Because it was the best condition Kingmatic Subsea I’d ever come across. For a watch produced around 1962 to 66/7 I was pleased to get it for a reasonable price. Checking the web today, it seems to suggest that models from around this age have easily trebled its value since (condition dependent).
Anyway, as most of my collection, I wear it for two to three weeks every year and perhaps just on a whim at any given time. I attach an image taken today at the end of this Post – and it’s as good now as then.
This is basically an update on the original Post I did and at long last have replaced the image of the movement (took the photo just minutes ago)
An interesting watch Manufacturer Movado and with some styles from the past that have always interested me, this one is such a model – that I couldn’t resist.
Without doubt one of the nicest dial gents Movado I’ve yet seen, this was a must purchase. 1960’s vintage with a Movado Cal 395 – C, Automatic movement. This is their famous Kingmatic Sub Sea model with 28 jewels and running as sweet as it did when new (as of today 17/03/24) this sort of mechanical marvel never fails to impress me. Over 50 years (60 now) and still perfect it has a neat 34mm diameter gold micron plated case, centre sweep seconds and applied gold markers on 3, 6, 9 and 12.
As you see (today’s) image shows an immaculate Cal 39 – C, movement with the classic Movado rotor assembly, incabloc shock protection in a neat layout. The Calibre number can be seen under the wheel. Obscured by the rotor it also states Movado Factories, Swiss and 28 jewels. Lovely action too this rotor and for a ‘bumper” quite silent in operation – this is a class item indeed.
The stainless steel screw back has a full Movado medallion logo set with Kingmatic S and the horses & chariot design in the centre. Sub Sea and 28 jewels are the other markings on the back. The crown is the original Movado logo and the lugs are set to fit an 18mm strap, which in this case is a nice quality though non-original Condor stitched leather variety with gold coloured buckle which sits it very well.
This model like so many of that time is that nice size so favored by many of the classic watch makers @ 34mm which allows it to fit most wrists easily and neatly. For me every thing about this watch is just right – beautiful face, great look, slim, elegant, perfect size, lovely automatic action and a joy to wear.
The Kingmatic automatic model (and the Tempomatic before it) took the watch world by storm when it first came out in around 1962 and the Kingmatic was made probably till around 1967. The Company started off life way back in 1881, the name “Movado” meaning “always in motion” in Esperanto the Company has over 100 patents and over 200 awards and still operating today.
This is now my fourth Movado now and my third mechanical model – I have also a Quartz and all have impressed. The quartz one also has a highly individual dial face and a certain neat quality – and I can now see where the heritage comes from.
This Sub Sea model especially with it’s rather unique face, it’s sleek movement and beautiful condition will certainly be on my wrist on many occasions I’m sure – and that surely is as good a testament you can have for any watch.
Update promise – 11 years after the last photo, this image taken today 17th March 2024 – though with different lighting I hasten to add.
Back then I had a fancy white fabric light box with 3 x spot lights which gave equal light from all angles and took my photos with a big Canon digital camera and with tripod and so on. Today, I simply use an iPad, hand held, then instant wireless link the image to the PC and then to the web site – easy!
Watch space 