Movado Kingmatic 55261 (1962)

Presented for auction by Second Vintage This Movado Kingmatic is a sophisticated example of mid-century Swiss design, representing the golden era of the brand before the quartz crisis. With its elegant 35mm case and distinctive lugs, this timepiece competes directly with the Omega Seamasters and Longines Conquests of the same period. The watch features the highly regarded "Sub-Sea" case design and is powered by a high-grade in-house Movado automatic movement, making it a desirable collector's piece for those who appreciate horological history and classic dress watch aesthetics. Brand: Movado Model: Kingmatic Reference Number: 55261 Movement: Movado Caliber 538 Automatic Dial: Champagne sunburst with applied gold indices Case Size: 35 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Gold Plated / Stainless Steel Caseback Production Year: 1962 Condition: Good vintage condition. The watch presents an honest, original aesthetic with visible patina on the dial and normal wear to the case, running with a strong amplitude. Dial and Hands The dial features a warm champagne sunburst finish that has developed a unique, heavy speckling patina throughout, giving the watch a distinct vintage character often prized by collectors. It is adorned with applied gold baton hour markers and the applied gold "M" Movado logo at the 12 o'clock position. The gold-tone dauphine hands are original and match the indices perfectly. A date window is positioned at 3 o'clock, framed in gold. The "Kingmatic" script remains crisp and legible despite the aging of the dial surface. Case and Crystal The 35mm case features a gold-plated top with attractive, faceted lugs that offer a sharp profile on the wrist. The surfaces show normal signs of use including light scratches and wear consistent with its age, but the gold plating remains largely intact. The crown is the original signed Movado crown. The caseback is stainless steel and is engraved with "SUB-SEA" and "28 JEWELS," indicating its water-resistant heritage. The acrylic crystal is in clear condition, allowing for excellent visibility of the dial. Movement Inside beats the high-grade in-house Movado Caliber 538 automatic movement. This 28-jewel mechanism is beautifully finished and features the distinctive Movado rotor design. The movement is clean and marked "Movado Factories" and "Swiss Made." Timegrapher results show the watch is running at approximately -14 to -15 seconds per day with strong amplitude, which indicates reliable vintage performance and a healthy movement. Strap The watch is fitted with a new black leather strap that complements the dressy nature of the gold case. It is secured by a gold-tone pin buckle, ready for immediate wear. Condition This timepiece is in good vintage condition. While the dial shows significant patina and spotting, this is consistent with natural aging and adds to the watch's honest appeal. The case retains its definition with acceptable wear. The movement is functioning well, running within vintage tolerances as confirmed by timegrapher readings. Dimensions The case measures 35mm in diameter excluding the crown, a classic size for a dress watch of this era. The lug-to-lug length ensures a comfortable fit on a variety of wrist sizes, sliding easily under a dress cuff. Remarks The Kingmatic reference 55261 is a testament to Movado's past as a premier manufacture of high-quality mechanical movements. The combination of the "Sub-Sea" case and the robust Caliber 538 makes this a sturdy yet elegant daily wearer. The distinct patina on this example ensures it is a unique piece that cannot be replicated. History Introduced in the mid-1950s, the Kingmatic was Movado's flagship automatic line, designed to showcase their advanced self-winding technology. It was a direct competitor to the heavy hitters from Omega and Rolex, often featuring thinner cases and more refined designs. The inclusion of the "Sub-Sea" designation highlights Movado's innovation in creating water-resistant dress watches during the 1960s. / Second Vintage SKU: MOV-MKX-0001