Vintage Movado Swiss Watch, François Borgel (FB) Case, Automatic Bumper Cal. 221A. from 1940's - DuMarko

Vintage Movado Swiss Watch, François Borgel (FB) Case, Automatic Bumper Cal. 221A. from 1940's

Name: Vintage Movado Swiss Watch, François Borgel (FB) Case, Automatic Bumper Cal. 221A. from 1940's
Brand: DuMarko
Price: 1700.00 USD
Availability: OutOfStock

$1,700.00

USA & EU: Taxes and import duties included

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Here’s a vintage Movado that really pulls you in. This one runs on the Movado Caliber 221A, a bumper automatic from the early days of automatic watchmaking. You’ll actually feel the rotor “bumping” inside as it winds, which gives it a mechanical charm that modern autos just don’t have.

But let’s talk about that dial — because that’s what makes this piece. The original finish has aged into this dreamy salmon tone, with warm, cloudy patina across the whole surface. It shifts from peach to golden-orange in different light, with just enough fading to show its age without looking tired. The gilt numerals (12, 3, 6, 9) and arrowhead markers catch the light beautifully, and the dauphine hands round it all out with a classic mid-century look.

At 33mm, the stainless steel case wears super comfortably, and it’s made by François Borgel (FB) — one of the top Swiss case makers back in the day (he also made cases for Patek and Mido). You can see his FB stamp inside the case back, along with all the original Movado markings.

CASE:

Stainless steel, signed François Borgel (FB)
33 mm (excluding crown) / 40,5 mm lug-to-lug / 16 mm lug width
Reference A244856 / 16191
Great condition, with clean lines and minimal wear

MOVEMENT:

Movado Caliber 221A
17-jewel bumper automatic
Swiss made
Running well

DIAL:

Gorgeous original salmon dial with natural patina
Gilt numerals at 12, 3, 6, and 9 + applied arrow markers
Dauphine hands
Signed Movado automatic

Discover Why François Borgel Watch Cases Are So Valuable?

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About Brand

What makes Movado an important vintage watch brand?

Movado was founded in 1881 in La Chaux-de-Fonds and quickly established itself as a leader in innovative Swiss watchmaking. In the vintage watch market, Movado is best known for its high-grade in-house movements, elegant chronograph designs, and strong connections to mid-20th-century modernist aesthetics. Vintage Movado watches are especially respected by collectors who value technical quality paired with refined design.

Why is Movado significant in vintage watch history?

Movado played a major role in the development of high-quality chronographs during the 1930s–1950s. The brand produced some of the finest chronograph movements of the era, often rivaling those of more widely recognized luxury brands. Movado chronographs powered by the caliber M90 are widely regarded as benchmarks of vintage chronograph engineering and design.

Are vintage Movado watches suitable for everyday wear?

Many vintage Movado watches were designed as functional tools or dress watches and remain wearable today. Time-only models and early chronographs were built with durable cases and reliable mechanical movements. When properly serviced, a vintage Movado watch can still be worn regularly, though rare chronograph models are often worn more carefully due to their collectability.

What should collectors look for when buying a vintage Movado watch?

When purchasing a vintage watch from Movado, originality and condition are critical. Collectors should look for:

Original dial with correct fonts and sub-dial layout
Matching case reference and movement caliber
Sharp case geometry and unpolished details
Period-correct hands, crown, and pushers

Movado dials and movements are particularly valued for their quality and refined finishing.

Which vintage Movado models are most collectible?

Some of the most desirable vintage Movado watches include:

Chronographs powered by the caliber M90
Two-register and three-register chronograph references from the 1940s
Early Movado dress watches with in-house manual-wind movements
Military-issued and oversized steel chronographs

These watches are prized for their mechanical excellence, rarity, and clean design within the vintage watch market.

Are vintage Movado watches a good investment?

Movado is often considered an undervalued brand in the vintage watch segment. As collector awareness grows, demand for well-preserved vintage Movado chronographs—especially M90-powered examples—has increased. Original vintage Movado watches offer strong long-term appeal due to their limited production and high-quality construction.

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Informations sur l'entretien des montres

Toutes les montres de notre boutique sont en parfait état de marche et ont été révisées par un horloger certifié. Chaque montre est soumise à une inspection finale avant expédition afin de garantir sa qualité et sa fiabilité.

Expédition

Livraison standard : 7 à 21 jours ouvrables, selon la destination. Gratuite pour toutes les commandes.

Livraison express : 3 à 10 jours ouvrables, selon l'emplacement, au coût de 30 $.

Délai de traitement : 3 à 5 jours ouvrables pour toutes les commandes, quel que soit le mode d'expédition.

Tous les colis sont entièrement assurés et soigneusement emballés pour garantir leur livraison en toute sécurité. Pour connaître les délais de livraison spécifiques à votre pays, veuillez consulter cette page .

Garantie

Chaque montre achetée chez nous est garantie pour garantir sa qualité et ses performances. Cette garantie couvre le mouvement et les problèmes de fonctionnement, avec des conditions spécifiques selon le type de montre (1 an pour les montres mécaniques et automatiques, 6 mois pour les montres à quartz). Pour plus d'informations, veuillez consulter cette page .