The focus of collecting watches for me has never been about how expensive a watch is, but rather about its design, distinctive features, details, history and overall look and feel. This early Movado Tank seems to fit these traits adequately.

Having collected art deco watches for some time, this piece caught my eye the moment I saw it. It was simply different from most of the art deco watches that I had come across. It is slightly more ornate than the usual simple 1920s sterling cases, yet not superfluous.

One of the features that caught my attention was the captivating steps of the case. The stepped design seems to suggest a sort of ascension from its outer perimeter towards the remarkable dial. Considerably large at a length of about 44mm, its stylized curvature case from the side commands attention. Before peeking inside the case, one would notice that the slightly oversized onion crown is not the regular type we commonly see. Detailed with a star in the centre is a sterling silver crown that feels great when winding.

As one who is intrigued by hallmarks, I was enthralled with the various stamps when I opened the hinged case. There are sets of numbers and sterling trademarks along with the maker’s emblem. From these, one can vaguely deduce the age of this watch to emerge from around the early 1920s.

All the details of this fine Movado Tank simply point to the fact that the company took a lot of pride in making this watch akin to an impeccable piece of fine artwork for the museum! As a result of Movado’s relationship with the Bauhaus, the concept of “form, simplicity and function” from the Bauhaus designers must have influenced the people at Movado. This design philosophy seems to be woven into their designs from their early days till the inception of their renowned Museum Collection.

What a piece of Art!