The Polyplan name derives from the multi (poly) level shape and design of the movement: arranged in three distinct layers. The story goes that this revolutionary idea came about when Isidore Ditesheim expressed his desire to create an ultra-ergonomic timepiece, which really and truly “conformed” to the wrist. Of these numerous patents, the most important was the Swiss Patent N☆0 360 of June 7th, 1912: the Polyplan. One metric to prove this was the sheer number of new patents that they registered between 19. The early 1900s was a period in which Movado really thrived when it came to horological innovation. Movado’s Curvaceous Cases: the Polyplan & the Curviplan Given these tools, resources and increased workforce, they began mass (for the time) producing ladies’ watches.īetween 19, Movado grew steadily to reach the 300+ headcount in the factory, becoming a real “giant” in the Swiss watch industry, both for workforce, but also in terms public perception. This bold and innovative move proved successful: the revolutionary equipment boosted productivity, and by extension, increased its workforce size.Īnother benefit that their investment brought was that it allowed Movado to manufacture the previously outsourced components. Right from the onset, Movado proved itself to be a very avant-garde watchmaker, as they were one of the first horological companies to invest in electrically-powered machinery. However, it would be another two years before the company officially traded under that name. The first recorded use of the now iconic term, “ Movado“, can be traced to the 2nd of May, 1903.
Ditesheim, fabricants”, after the three brothers: Léopold, Achille and Isidore. During this time, the company operated under the name “ L.A.&l. In its early years, the watch company’s operations were limited to mounting and assembling movements (which came from third parties) into their pocket watches. This is definitely an extraordinary achievement when you consider that in those same years, watchmakers of the likes of LeCoultre employed 100, meanwhile Audemars Piguet had just 10 watchmakers.
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The year is 1876 (yes, we said 1881, but hear us out), and the Ditesheim family had just moved to La-Chaux-de-Fonds, not only to escape the Franco-Prussian war, but also to pursue their dream of setting up a watchmaking company.įive years later, in 1881, once Achille Ditesheim completed his horological studies, the dream finally started to become a reality in the form of a modest laboratory, which, over the course of a couple of years, grew to be a full scale factory in 1897, employing 80 people. On a personal note, before we dive in, I find it rather sad that, given its rich history and quality of its timepieces, Movado’s watches aren’t receiving the amount of attention, credit and value that it most certainly deserves: especially when, as you will learn in this article, you consider how innovative this watchmaker was. To fully understand this choice, and this brand as a whole, we need take a few steps further back in time: more precisely, to 1881. Why is that important? It’s Esperanto for “ always in motion“, which is perfectly representative of the watchmaker’s unending committent to horological innovation. Their pieces include standard three-handed models and newer quartz chronographs.In 1905, the Ditesheim brothers started the story of “ Movado” watch company. MVMT is well-known as a “fashion brand,” namely a brand that sells cheaper quartz watches that are sold on style versus complexity or cost. “It provides an opportunity to Movado Group’s portfolio as MVMT continues to cross-sell products within its existing portfolio, expand product offerings within its core categories of watches, sunglasses and accessories, and grow its presence in new markets through its direct-to-consumer and wholesale business,” said Grinberg. However, the company carved out a niche by advertising heavily on social media and being one of the first microbrands with a solid online presence. MVMT makes simple watches for the millennial market in the vein of Fossil or Daniel Wellington. “The acquisition of MVMT will provide us greater access to millennials and advances our Digital Center of Excellence initiative with the addition of a powerful brand managed by a successful team of highly creative, passionate and talented individuals,” Movado Chief Executive Efraim Grinberg said. Movado purchased the company for $100 million.
The company, which advertised heavily on Facebook, logged $71 million in revenue in 2017. The Movado Group, which sells multiple brands, including Lacoste, Tommy Hilfiger and Hugo Boss, has purchased MVMT, a small watch company founded by Jacob Kassan and Kramer LaPlante in 2013.
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