Movado Logo PNG
The Movado logo embodies the ideals of simplicity and reliability, creating an image that reflects the brand’s unique style. Its minimalist design, inspired by the Bauhaus school, highlights the harmonious blend of aesthetics and functionality. This strict and concise approach emphasizes the company’s commitment to creating products where beauty and practicality go hand in hand. The emblem’s design precisely conveys the core philosophy — to achieve the perfect balance between visual perfection, technological precision, and high functionality. The visual mark symbolizes elegance, reflecting the brand’s dedication to quality and durability.
Movado: Brand overview
Movado’s history began in 1881 when 19-year-old Achille Ditesheim, a businessman, established a small watchmaking workshop in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. “Movado,” which means “always in motion” in Esperanto, was adopted in 1905.
In its early years, the company focused on producing fine pocket watches. Ditesheim’s commitment to innovation and quality quickly earned the brand a reputation for creating reliable and precise timepieces.
A key milestone in the company’s growth was the introduction of its first wrist chronograph in 1912. This chronograph became popular due to its accuracy and ease of use.
The 1920s were a period of rapid innovation and growth for the business. In 1926, the company launched the Polyplan model, which featured a curved mechanism that followed the contour of the wrist. This watch solidified the brand’s reputation as a forward-thinking manufacturer and was considered a technological marvel.
In 1927, the company was awarded a gold medal at the Paris Exhibition, further boosting its international recognition.
One of the brand’s most iconic models was developed in the 1930s. Designed by American Nathan George Horwitt in 1947, the Museum Watch featured a minimalist dial with a single dot at noon to represent the sun at its zenith. In 1960, the Museum of Modern Art in New York added this watch to its permanent collection, marking the first time a watch was honored in this way.
During the 1950s and 1960s, the company continued refining its designs and technology. It introduced innovative models such as the Datron clock, featuring a high-frequency movement, and the Kingmatic, one of the first automatic watches with a central rotor.
The 1970s marked a period of major change. In 1970, the business was acquired by the American Zenith Radio Corporation, opening new opportunities for growth in the U.S. market.
Another pivotal moment came in 1983 when the company was purchased by Gerald Greenberg’s North American Watch Corporation, later known as Movado Group, Inc. This acquisition marked a new chapter for the brand.
Under Greenberg’s leadership, the company embraced the concept of “affordable luxury.” The focus shifted to producing watches with distinctive designs heavily inspired by the Museum Watch and making them more accessible. This approach helped the brand attract a wider audience.
The company experienced rapid growth during the 1990s. It acquired other watch brands, including ESQ and Concord, and collaborated with well-known designers to create collectible watches.
In 1998, the company introduced the BOLD collection, which offered a modern take on the classic Museum Watch design. This collection quickly gained popularity with younger customers.
In the 2000s, Movado Group continued to expand. The company secured licensing agreements to produce watches for brands like Coach, Tommy Hilfiger, and Hugo Boss, strengthening its position in various market segments.
In 2006, the company celebrated its 125th anniversary by releasing several special edition models inspired by its historic timepieces.
During the 2010s, the brand adapted to changing market trends by experimenting with new materials and technologies and building a strong online presence.
In 2015, the company introduced its first smartwatch, the Movado Motion, which combined fitness tracking features with its signature design.
In 2017, the Connect collection, a full smartwatch running on the Android Wear platform, was launched; it showcases the brand’s ability to embrace new technology without losing its iconic style.
Movado celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Museum Watch in 2019 with a special anniversary collection.
As of 2023, the company remains one of the most recognized watch brands, known for its innovative and minimalist designs. It continues to evolve, focusing on its traditional collections and newer ventures such as smartwatches and collaborations with renowned designers.
The brand’s history is a story of a company that, for over 140 years, has blended innovation, style, and watchmaking tradition. From a small workshop in Switzerland to a global name, it has consistently created functional and artistic timepieces.
Meaning and History
What is Movado?
This Swiss-American watch company is known for its unique minimalist design. The name, translating to “always in motion” in Esperanto, symbolizes its innovative spirit. The famous Museum Watch, with a single dot representing the sun at noon, has become an icon of modern design and is part of the permanent collection at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. The brand’s entire product line reflects this bold simplicity, blending functionality with aesthetics. The brand has created unique timepieces that balance wearable art and wristwatches through collaborations with renowned designers and artists. Rooted in Swiss watchmaking traditions, the company has successfully integrated contemporary trends, offering automatic and quartz movements, covering styles from classic to ultra-modern.
Before 2023
The brand’s logo is designed in an elegant and refined style. The foundation of the emblem consists of capital letters of the brand name, which appear sleek and upward-reaching, symbolizing the pursuit of perfection. The lines of the characters span wide spaces, emphasizing the importance of time in every aspect of human life—from birth to the final moments. The sharp tips of the font elements resemble clock hands, emphasizing precision and movement.
The company chose Esperanto, a universal language, for its name, reflecting its desire to be accessible to people worldwide, regardless of nationality or race. The word “Movado” translates to “movement,” directly relating to the primary concept of watches—measuring time. This name change occurred 24 years after the company’s founding, which in 1881 was known as LAI Ditescheim & Freres SA.
The company’s renaming was associated with its shift to producing wristwatches. This step highlighted the brand’s innovation, as they were the first in their region to create a factory, combine several small manufacturers, and achieve international recognition, starting with pocket watches and later transitioning to wristwatches. The new name symbolized the company’s continuous development and adaptation to time demands.
The logo maintains a minimalist style, remaining both global and expressive, much like the company’s products. For example, on the Movado Delphino model, the black dial is complemented solely by a gold crescent at noon, reflecting the clean design concept. The phrase “art of design” is occasionally added under the brand name to highlight the special artistic approach to creating the models.
2023 – today
The brand’s modern symbol is strikingly different from the previous one, reflecting a shift in understanding its mission and values. These changes are tied to the new owner, North American Watch Corporation, which brought a fresh perspective to selling watches. The logo retained its text-based form but became more massive and solid. The characters now appear thicker and sturdier, symbolizing the accessibility of the products. Watches are no longer considered a rare luxury—they have become an everyday item accessible to a broad audience.
Using the brand’s watches gives a person confidence and calm, emphasizing the ability to control and manage their time. The thick, solid lines of the characters suggest the company’s stability, which has endured for centuries and continues to expand its influence. The company owns and licenses about ten other brands, holding a significant position in the global watch market.
The cropped tops of the letters add versatility to the design, highlighting that the watches are suitable for any occasion, regardless of profession, social status, or nationality. This makes the brand relevant to the modern consumer.
