Don't miss the next drop
Long before the minimalist Museum Watch came to define its modern identity, Movado was a true Swiss manufacture of the highest order, producing innovative, complicated, and exceptionally well-made timepieces. In the golden age of the 1950s, their flagship automatic line was the “Kingmatic”, a series of robust, high-performance watches that stood toe-to-toe with the best offerings from Omega, Longines, and the like. This, in our opinion, is the Movado that collectors need to know about.
The Kingmatic was Movado’s proud entry into the fiercely competitive post-war market for self-winding watches. These were not generic timepieces with outsourced movements. Movado equipped the Kingmatic line with its own exceptional in-house calibers, and they weren’t shy about advertising their quality. The “28 Jewels” proudly printed on the dial of this example was a clear statement of intent; this was an unusually high jewel count for the era, signifying a top-tier movement engineered for superior durability, stability, and smooth operation. This was a serious piece of horology, built to last a lifetime.
This particular Kingmatic, a Reference 15051 from the late 1950s, is a truly soulful and captivating example of the breed. What immediately strikes you is the dial. The original silvered surface has aged over the past 65+ years into a spectacular and even “starry night” patina. This beautiful, speckled pattern is the result of the original lacquer finish aging gracefully over time, creating a unique cosmic landscape across the dial that is deeply beautiful and utterly impossible to replicate. Against this incredible backdrop, the sharp, applied dart hour markers and elegant dauphine handset provide a perfect, legible contrast.
