The Amazing Ermeto Travel Watch
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First, let's get history correct. The Ermeto was not just meant as a purse watch. In fact, although many women carried the "baby" version in their purse, the Ermeto was designed with Men and Women in mind. In fact, many publications credit the Ermeto as the first unisex watch. Men would use them in several ways...on the golf course, as a travel companion for the night stand, carried in the pocket for those who did not like wrist watches and many had an attachment placed on the watch to use as a keychain. Some even used it as a surface to put out their cigarette; although not the main purpose. The Ermeto was wonderfully diverse with many different versions and models, including chronometers, regular no complication, triples calendars with or without moon-phase and even a rare alarm Ermeto complication. My grandmother, who was a very well known antiquities collector and dealer would always say, a collections is three or more. So we are starting our inventory modestly, but with excellent examples. Have fun browsing! If you want to make a purchase, just add it to your cart and checkout securely by credit card or paypal.
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SOLD - Vintage 1940's Movado Steel Ermeto Travel Watch Chronometer Grade
$1,500.00
$1,325.00
Sold out
A stunning original example of the very highly sought after Movado Ermeto. This example is striking in appearance, well aged and in excellent near mint condition. Personal engraving on back help establish provenance and was done very nicely. Self winds when opening and closing; you may also manually wind. All of the variations of the Movado purse watches are growing in value - this is an excellent investment piece that can be used and serve a purpose.
Vintage 1930's .935 Sterling Silver Movado Chronometre Ermeto Travel Watch
$900.00
$810.00
Sold out
In 1926, the Movado Ermeto emerged. The case is one of the Ermeto’s main fascinations. Some are enameled, some are cased in leather or shagreen over metal, others are set with jewels. The two halves enclose the watch, protect its face and back and also gives you more protection than a Reverso. Although these watches were quickly dubbed a purse watch, the intention of Movado was always to be a travel watch; and if you really look at what it is, there is nothing more feminine or masculine regarding most of these highly sought after historical pieces. Take this uncommon piece for example. The military or medical style dial and the fact it's a chronometer highly suggests this was a men's piece. This piece was recently serviced and is performing very well; has not been polished. This is a Movado in-house officially chronometer manual wind movement - very high quality due to the purpose of the watch. Advertisement is not included. These are rising in price quickly. Thank you.
Vintage 1930's Sterling Guberlin Ermeto with Distressed Leather Wrapping and Military Dial
$1,100.00
$995.00
IN THE SHOP FOR SERVICE - Here is another rare and early Ermeto. A chronometer with patent numbers, original untouched military dial and original crown. On top of that, although made by Movado like all Ermeto's; this is private label for Guberlin - more sought after than a tiffany private label and certainly rarer. The leather wrap around the sterling silver is fantastic. It remains all intact and has developed a distressed look. What once was likely plain is now stunning multicolor distressed leather. It appears there may have been an attachment on the left of the case but didn't really leave any issues behind when removed. Self-wind case on open and close. This watch is currently undergoing a complete service; you may pre-order and we will ship when the service is complete expected to be toward the end of March 2018.
Vintage 1940's Movado Ermeto Travel Watch in Exotic Stingray Wrapped Sterling Silver with Military Dial
$1,200.00
$995.00
A certified chronometer, this Ermeto travel watch is not only rare given its patent marks and military dial, but it's also stunning due to the genuine exotic stingray wrapping. This Ermeto has been serviced and keeping great time. Please note the original decorative crown and dial / case hallmarks. The back also reveals a deco style personal engraving. This is a very rare Ermeto. It features self winding when opening and closing; it can also be manually wound.
Vintage 1928 Movado Ermeto Certified Chronometer Very Rare Model
$1,650.00
$1,495.00
This is an early and rare transitional piece of the Movado Ermeto. First we have to take into account that this watch represents the first introduction and perhaps the most famous innovations, a self winding Ermeto Case. Is was not until 1929 onward that the case was redesigned permanently to also wind the watch during open and closing. This piece is in excellent condition and was made for the French market. The watch has all the correct hallmarks for a sterling silver watch (gold plating over sterling silver). Wrapped in alligator, with an original cream dial and applied gold numerals, this Ermeto was made to impress. Adapted from the Greek, the word "Ermeto" originally meant sealed. For Movado the hermetic term in no way meant air or water tight. The designation "Ermeto" for the second greatest success to date (1926) was only "intended to suggest protection of the watch against external influences" (p.74 von Osterhausen's "The Movado History" 1976.) As a collector of these revolutionary beauties, (they were originally advertised as the third era of watchmaking) I have found that each one has a character of its own. This particular one is hard to part with as it is one of the very first to receive chronometer status, one of the highest honors a watch mechanism can receive. Also, note the absence of a rear "kick stand" (my term, not theirs) which in later models was used to hold the timepiece upright. Don't let one of these rare first iteration piece pass you by.
Vintage 1970's late model Movado Ermeto in Original Black Alligator over Base Metal
$800.00
$750.00
This Movado Ermeto was one of the last batches of Ermeto's made, and they weren't made in high volume; which is why these later models are more rare than the earlier models. The Ermeto, derived from a Greek work meaning sealed, had been a hallmark production travel watch completely designed by Movado from the ground up since the 1920's. The Ermeto was immensely popular throughout it's time; however it quickly became extinct as wrist watches took over the market and travel pieces and "real" pocket watches started to fade away. Novelty pocket watches are still produced today but I don't call them "real". Some manufacturers such as Patek Philippe may still make a high complication pocket watch now and then. Anyhow, back to the Ermeto. This is a fine original late model example with a sunning silver tritium dial and updated original logo signed crown. For some reason I forgot to take a picture of this one closed - it closes fine no problems. If fact, there are no issues other than normal aging on this Ermeto. It winds manually or by closing and opening the case and sets very nicely. It's been serviced and keeping good time. Ready to use on your nightstand, travel pouch or to collect - this is a super clean rare Ermeto.
Rare Movado Ermeto Alarm (Ermetophon) Travel / Pocket Watch with Alligator Wrapped Stainless Steel
$1,200.00
$995.00
Excellent example of the illusive Movado Ermeto Alarm called the Ermetophon. The case winds both the alarm and time function. The watch was just overhauled, keeps great time and is almost in complete original condition. The winding crown is a replacement. Everything works perfectly, these crowns were thin and delicate; many had to be replaced over the years. The alarm crown is original and sets the alarm hand. When pulled up, the alarm is engaged and when pressed down the alarm is not engaged. This piece has a very nice back-stand, a signature feature of most Ertemos; however, this one goes out further than a standard Ermeto and has a better angle while standing in my opinion. The alligator leather is in excellent condition with some slight wear on the corners which is typical for these watches. The original silver dial and hands are perfect with no flaws noted. The alarm sounds very loud and lasts a while. Overall, this is a near perfect example of this rare variation of the Ermeto that you can have at a great price.
