Movado Ref 12717
Movado was one of the top brands in the 20th century until the early 70's producing high quality mechanical single dial and chronograph wristwatches. Among the many companies in part doomed by mismanagement, and ill conceived projects, they finally became a casualty of the quartz revolution, with only a spin off, of the 'museum' model being bought and established in America. Until then they had had a history of producing fine pilot watches, both civilian and issued.
The Movado Ref 12717, is one of the rarest of the Movado steel pilot watches, indeed of all pilot watches, and is believed to have been produced between 1936 and 1938. It is unique in that it is the only Steel pilot watch that shares almost identical physical attributes to the famed IWC MK IX, having a 37,5mm steel case, with inner steel dust cover, and an identical fluted steel rotating bezel (interchangeable with the MK IX), with a large 7mm diameter flat onion crown. Several dial versions are also known to exist, including both a cream and black version with a sector type dial. Currently less than 10 examples have been observed. Picture shows the Movado alongside the IWC for external comparison. Please note the IWC is missing its steel pointer.
