Up for sale is this rare and ultra-cool first generation Movado Datachron HS360 Super Sub Sea diver’s chronograph featuring the debut version of the legendary Zenith/Movado “El Primero” automatic movement. The movement has 17 jewels rather than 31 and means this watch was destined for the US market and the fact that the dial is signed DATACHRON rather than the later and more common DATRON proves that this is one of the first El Primero Sub Seas ever produced. Additionally, this great Datachron comes with its original Movado-signed Gay Freres fliplock clasp bracelet with diver’s extension stamped “I 69” , undoubtedly matching the year of manufacture of this seminal watch. Overall, this Sub Sea is in Excellent condition with a beautiful Near Mint dial, a fine example of one of the earliest “El Primero” chronos produced in partnership by Zenith & Movado in the rare diver's configuration. To put the cherry on top of this great collectors’ piece, this big vintage chrono was completely overhauled by my NYC Master Watchmaker this past September of 2009, which included the replacement of several hard-to-order parts, so this great El Primero chronograph will go to its new owner ready for years more of faithful service. I’m even including two additional straps. You’ll be set for any eventuality!

The price for this important Movado diver’s chronograph with extras is $2350 USD OBRO including fully insured shipping worldwide and Paypal (eCheck strongly preferred). Bank Wire is also OK, of course. Payment must be made in US DOLLARS. Watch will ship upon full clearance of the funds, as well as any necessary bank vetting.

CASE & BACK: Large 40mm (45mm including crown & pointed crown guards) x 44mm Stainless Steel cushion case with original alternating satin finished top/mirrored bevels and sides. This case has never been polished and shows only minor wear for a 40-year-old watch, with only some scratches and minor nicks, easily Very Good to Excellent unpolished condition overall. The outer part of the screw in caseback is likewise Very Good to Excellent with some minor scratches and tool marks to the unpolished mirror finish but very crisp SUPER SUB SEA 10ATM nomenclature. Inner back and the back of the case have no significant corrosion and the inner caseback has all correct Movado brand & model hallmarks. It’s possible that my watchmaker did the first-ever service, as there are no prior service marks.

BEZEL & INSERT: Uni-directional rotating diver’s bezel is easily in Excellent condition with just a couple of nicks to the top edge. It rotates with a firm but not stiff ratcheting motion exactly as designed. The cool acrylic black and white elapsed time insert with silver minute ticks & triangular Tritium lume “0” indicator has only very minor wear, no fractures and is Excellent to Near Mint.

DIAL & HANDS: All-original beautiful cornflower blue dial with silver contrasting subdials and characteristic date window at "12" in Near Mint condition, with only the slightest hints of the oxidation/darkening that usually plague these early Datachron dials. Original Tritium luminous is all perfectly intact and it is still mildly light reactive. Original silver Tritium-filled hands are also Near Mint, as are the gray large sweep seconds and small subdial hands.

MOVEMENT: Famed Zenith/Movado caliber 3019 PHC 36k BPH “El Primero” chronograph movement, one of the all-time greats, in its original (first year only?) 17-jewel iteration. As stated above, this great movement was fully serviced late last year, including the replacement of several key parts, so of course it runs great with strong power reserve, perfect operation & reset of all chronograph features, quickset date function and all time-setting and winding aspects working according to spec. Needless to say, a serviced El Primero movement represents peace of mind and significant potential future savings.

CROWN & PUSHERS: Original Movado-signed crown and pushers in Excellent condition with only minor wear. The divers’-style screw down crown does so properly, winds the movement when unscrewed and pulled out, sets the time in the first detent position and quicksets the date in the second position. The top pusher starts & stops the chrono and the bottom resets it; both are super crisp and El Primero firm.

CRYSTAL: Original low dome acrylic crystal signed in the center with the Movado hallmark has been polished through the years and has some residual evidence of buffed out scratches. Very Good original vintage condition.

BRACELET & BANDS: This Movado comes on its original Gay Freres-manufactured fliplock bracelet with diver’s extension. It has the Movado logo on the clasp and is also date stamped “I 69”. It is in Near Mint condition with only the most minor signs of wear. Additionally, I am including a cool lightly used beefy Maratac composite strap with yellow stitching that really goes great with the watch and an Excellent signed Movado padded black leather strap. While the Movado strap is 19mm and this watch has a lug width of 20mm, the strap can be affixed as is or the signed buckle can always be transferred to a 20mm strap.

I make absolutely NO guarantees for the water resistance of this watch due to the dodgy nature of vintage chronographs in general. Feel free to have it pressure tested, however, and we may both be pleasantly surprised. ;)

This great collector’s Movado “El Primero” chrono is offered with a 3-day inspection period from the date of receipt and may be returned for a full refund (less any shipping costs incurred by the buyer). This refund is unconditional and once I get the watch back in exactly the same condition as it was sent to you, your money will be refunded. Of course, once the 3 days are over the sale will be considered FINAL.

Thanks for looking,
T.
tomvox1@hotmail.com