Don't miss the next drop
In the late 1960s, a technological arms race was raging in the heart of Switzerland. With the looming threat of quartz technology on the horizon, the great mechanical manufactures engaged in a furious “Race for Accuracy,” pushing the boundaries of what was possible with gears and springs. One of the main battlegrounds was the beat rate of the movement, and this fantastic Movado Kingmatic is a high-performance machine born directly from that legendary era.
While many know the story of Zenith’s El Primero, other great houses like Movado were also developing their own high-frequency calibers. The “HS 288” on the dial of this watch is not just a model name; it’s a technical specification and a badge of honor. It stands for “High Speed, 28,800,” referring to the beats per hour of the movement’s balance wheel. A faster beat rate makes a watch inherently more accurate and more resistant to shocks, and a 28,800 bph movement was truly cutting-edge technology for the time. This wasn’t just another dress watch; it was a precision instrument from a top-tier manufacture competing at the highest level of horology.
This particular Kingmatic HS 288 is a stunning and beautifully preserved example of this high-tech heritage, wrapped in a quintessentially stylish package. Housed in a handsome 14-karat gold-filled case, the watch has a timeless elegance. The beautiful silver dial features a subtle, sand-like texture that adds a wonderful depth and character. The clean, applied baton markers and simple stick hands create a crisp, modern aesthetic that is perfectly balanced and highly legible. The watch comes paired with a fantastic, matching gold-filled bracelet that completes the handsome, integrated look.
