15 Best Movado Chronograph Watches (To Improve Your Style!)

The word chronograph is derived from the Greek words “chronos”, meaning time, and “graph”, which means to record or write. Chronograph watches offer multiple subdials with features that can measure elapsed time. Chronographs are often used in sports, aviation, and other activities that require precise timing. Many of these watches offer tachymeters that calculate speed, as used in motor races, for example. 

Movado has been a leader in crafting high-quality, fashion-forward timepieces for over 100 years. In this article, we’ll look at 15 of the best chronographs they make. These watches are both elegant, sporty, and highly functional. We’ll examine a broad range of models, from the more budget-conscious Bold collection to the upmarket Alta collection. 

Watch experts and aficionados can sometimes be critical of Movado, feeling they are more fashion-oriented and not serious watchmakers. It’s true that Movado does seem to cut some quality corners while still commanding a higher price point, leading some to question their value. 

With that said, there’s something iconic and distinctive about Movado watches. Most of their designs are immediately recognizable, modern, and chic. So, if Movado’s designs grab your attention, let’s explore some of their best chronographs on the market. 

About Movado Chronograph Watches

Movado is a Swiss brand that’s been making watches since 1881. Movado produces a mix of luxury and fashion watches. While they produce many types of watches, their chronographs are some of their most desirable. One of Movado’s most celebrated timepieces is the Museum classic Chronograph, which pairs a black dial with a silver case.

The dial includes three registers that mark elapsed seconds, minutes, and hours. Their Bold Chronograph collection is also well regarded with its modern designs, thin profiles, and more affordable prices – some of the models in this collection feature stainless steel cases or leather straps. 

Movado makes a whole range of different watch types, including aviation watches like the SE Pilot. The timepiece offers a tachymeter scale for calculating speed, with its rotating bezel, and is fitted with a leather strap. 

Movado even offers some smartwatches, such as their Connect 2.0, which tracks heart rate, offers GPS guidance, and Google Assistant. The watch is modern and stylish, as one would expect a Movado to be, but it offers a touch screen with a broad range of customizable faces. 

History of Movado Chronograph Watches

Founded over a century ago in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, by Achille Ditesheim, a young entrepreneur with an eye for fashion and a dedication to watchmaking, Movado has made its mark on the watch industry and remains one of the most recognizable and popular watch brands to this day. 

In the 1930s, Movado introduced its Museum Watch with its minimalist design and iconic dot motif. It captured the hearts and minds of a watch-adoring public. To this day, it’s one of their most sought-after and admired models. 

Starting in the ‘40s, Movado introduced their first chronographs. These watches offered stopwatch functions for precise timing. By the 1950s, their Datron collection was a favorite among athletes and well-regarded in the world of sports. 

The release of the Kingmatic, in the 1960s, with its self-winding movement, became a popular choice with pilots, offering features to make quick flight calculations. 

By the ‘80s, Movado had fully embraced the quartz craze and offered Datron models powered by quartz chronograph movements. The quartz movements only added to the reliability of their timekeeping features. 

In the ‘90s, Movado introduced the Vizio, a rectangular chronograph featured in the movies and on television, and became popular among the more fashion-conscious. Movado’s chronographs of the current era are just as desirable and popular as ever. 

The Best Movado Chronographs 

MOVADO ALTA SE AUTOMATIC CHRONOGRAPH BLACK & WHITE 

The Alta SE Chrono by Movado is a smart-looking watch designed to be sporty and dressy. Movado in Esperanto (a constructed international auxiliary language that’s fallen out of use) is translated as ‘always in motion.’ Alta is translated as ‘the peak.’

Apparently, the message this sends is if you keep moving, you’ll get to the top. I can’t speak to the authenticity of that promise, but I think it’s safe to say this watch will keep you looking classy at the summit or in the valley. 

Do you like dots? If so, you’re going to love this timepiece. Movado is famous for its dot motif at the 12 o’clock position. Not only does this dial feature a silver dot, but there are dots around the bezel and down the center of the stainless steel bracelet. 

The stainless steel case measures 43mm with a black ceramic bezel and tachymeter. The sides of the case are highly polished, and there’s a screw-down signed crown. The black sunray-textured face of the watch offers three silver-white registers, silver hands, and a date window between 4 and 5 o’clock. The face of the timepiece is protected by an anti-reflective sapphire crystal. 

The open caseback displays the Caliber 145M automatic movement, which is rather attractive, with its gold gears and blue screws. It also provides a 62-hour power reserve and is water-resistant to 100 meters. The three-row bracelet has contrasting outer polished links with inner stain-finished links. 

Price:$3,795 

MOVADO ALTA SUPER SUB SEA AUTOMATIC WHITE DIAL

This classy-looking timepiece puts off yachtsman vibes to my eye. I can see this on the wrist of a man dressed in linen on the deck of his motor yacht, smoking a fine Cuban cigar. I can also see this paired with a blue suit in the boardroom. 

The deep ocean blue bezel, with a coin edge, has white markings and a yellowish triangle at the top. The matte white dial features silver-lined Super-LumiNova hands, indices, and accents. There are three blue registers, matching the bezel color, and a date window at 4.30.

The 43mm case and the three-row bracelet are made from 904 steel, the same type of steel used by Rolex for their watches. There’s a screw-down crown and a water resistance of up to 200 meters. The timepiece is powered by the Caliber 146M movement, with a 62-hour power reserve. 

Price: $3,995

MOVADO SERIES 800 CHRONOGRAPH BLUE DIAL

This is an attention-grabbing modern blue wristwatch that straddles the line between sporty and dressy. The blue diver’s bezel has white markings and a blue sunray dial with silver-lined hands and indices. A date window sits at 3 o’clock, and Movado is printed in white, just below their iconic silver dot and above the text Series 800 written in red.

The stainless steel and aluminum case measures 40mm. There’s a sapphire crystal that protects the face of the watch and a 200-meter water resistance. The watch is powered by a Swiss quartz movement. This is paired with a three-link, stainless steel bracelet with satin outer links and polished inner links. This is a fetching timepiece that you can expect to get noticed and complimented on. 

Price: $1,195

MOVADO BOLD THIN ALL BLACK CHRONOGRAPH

The name aptly describes the fundamentals of the watch’s design. It is indeed all black and thin. However, this watch must be seen to be fully appreciated. Movado is known for its modern simplicity, and this model doesn’t depart from that modality.

It’s sleek and stylish. I can see this on the wrist of an executive or attorney, and it will perfectly complement their tailored suits and black-on-black company cars. 

The watch case is made of black ionic-plated stainless steel, which measures 42mm. That’s a nice size on the wrist that matches with current trends, which have shifted away from the extra-large statement watches, but still remain larger than the vintage timepieces of yesteryear.

With its three registers, the black dial bears no markings other than the Movado dot at 12 o’clock with a silver ring around it and a charcoal gray print at 6 o’clock, detonating that the watch is a Swiss-made Movado. 

The timepiece is powered by a Swiss quartz movement that’s water-resistant to 30 meters. This should therefore be regarded as a dress watch that is splash resistant but shouldn’t be taken for a swim. It’s fitted with a black leather strap and tang buckle. Movado also makes similar all-black models with black bracelets. 

Price: $695 

MOVADO HERITAGE SERIES CALENDOPLAN CHRONOGRAPH GUNMETAL BRACELET

This is a model that brings something old and something new. Movado has long been known for its calendar movements, hence the name. Movado first introduced its Calendoplan line in the 1950s, and this is a nod to that ear, but with some modern touches. One design change you’ll notice is they moved the dot off the dial and onto the bezel. 

The black bezel and dial of the watch are handsomely paired with gray ion-plated stainless steel, which Movado is calling gunmetal, for a sophisticated, upmarket appearance. The case measures 42mm, and the dial features three registers, two with sporty squiggly hands and a date window inside the 6 o’clock subdial. The timepiece has gold lettering and white luminescent hands and indices. 

Inside the watch is a Swiss quartz chronograph movement. The timepiece is water-resistant to 50 meters, which one could theoretically take for a brief swim, but it’s certainly not made for water sports. The gray Ion-Plated three-link stainless steel bracelet, with a two-button release butterfly clap, offers contrasting satin and high polish surfaces. 

Price: $1,295 

MOVADO FACE ALL BLACK CHRONOGRAPH 

Many of the Movado timepieces are similar, and yet there are subtle differences worth appreciating. The Movado Face is a 43mm black ion-plated stainless steel case. The black museum motif dial includes a concave dot with muted markings around the dial’s outer rim to note the time. There are three registers on the dial with a red seconds hand and sub hand for a nice touch of color.

At 6 o’clock is the Movado logo printed in gray; except for that, the dial is as clean, simple, and modern as it gets.  The timepiece is powered by a Swiss quartz chronograph movement and its water restraint to 30 meters. The face of the watch is protected by a K1 crystal. K1 crystal is a composite that blends the shock resistance of plastic with the scratch resistance of glass.

For the price point, this is an acceptable crystal, but it doesn’t compare to the sapphire crystal found on higher-end watches, which would be noticeably superior. All this is paired with a black leather strap and tang buckle for a rather chic look. 

Price: $750

MOVADO BOLD TR90

The Bold TR90 comes in ten different configurations, some with chronograph and date functions and others with simple, clean dials. Some have classic black dials; others feature bright colors of blue, turquoise, and red. There are brown and black, smooth, and perforated leather bands, along with black ion-plated bracelets. There are many options to suit one’s taste.

The one we’re highlighting here has a 43.5mm black stainless steel case and a black dial with three blue registers. The subdial at 6 o’clock is larger than the other two and features a date window in white. The hands and the blue dot are also a deep blue. There’s a gray outer ring around the dial with the Movado logo at six o’clock. 

The watch is powered by a Swiss quartz chronograph movement and is water resistant to 30 meters. The two-link black bracelet with center-polished links is as sleek and smart as they come and includes a deployment clasp for greater security. 

Price: $850

MOVADO MUSEUM SPORT BLACK DIAL CHRONOGRAPH 

The Museum Sport collection offers eight configurations with perforated black leather straps or stainless steel bracelets, some coated black, yellow-gold, or gray. Some of the dials are black with yellow-gold hands and indices; some are blue, and some are all black. A couple are simple dials, but most are chronographs, and all have date windows. 

The configuration we’re highlighting here has a black sandpaper finish to the dial, three black hands with white lume, three black subdials, and piano-black polished indices that contrast nicely with the rough finish. There’s a date window at 4 o’clock and a fixed black bezel on the outer rim. 

The timepiece is water-resistant to 30 meters and powered by a Swiss quartz chronograph movement. While this is a sportier look than many of Movado’s other dress watches, the modest water resistance is a reminder that this isn’t a true sports watch. 

The gray and black PVD-finished stainless steel case measures 43mm. The face of the watch is protected by a sapphire crystal, which is a nice upgrade over many of the lower-budget models Movado offers. The timepiece is completed with a perforated black calfskin leather strap with a tang buckle. 

Price: $995 

MOVADO STRATO CHRONOGRAPH BLUE PVD

The Strato is one head-turner of a timepiece. The 44mm case and bracelet are finished in what Movado describes as blue and light blue PVD-finished stainless steel. Whatever one calls it, it’s simply beautiful and as smooth as silk. The matte blue dial is a chronograph featuring three registers and a blue-tinted transparent date ring inlay, with the actual date in white at 4 o’clock. 

One of the subdial hands is yellow, matching the yellow tip on the seconds hand and the yellow line through the 12 o’clock dot. The hands and indices have a white lume. There’s a printed, fixed bezel on the outer dial.

The watch face is protected by a sapphire crystal and is water resistant to 30 meters. The timepiece is powered by a Swiss quartz chronograph movement. The link bracelet is as stunning as the case and features a twin push-button deployment clasp. This timepiece is a work of art and is bound to garner a lot of attention.

Price: $2,195 

MOVADO ALTA SE AUTOMATIC CHRONOGRAPH BLACK & GOLD

Black and gold always pair nicely together for a sleek and classic look. The Alta Se Auto Chrono has a 43mm stainless steel case and black ceramic bezel with a tachymeter. The gray brushed sunray dial has three registers and gold-toned lined hands and indices. The dot at 12 o’clock is gold toned, as are the dots around the bezel.

There’s even a gold-lined date window between 4 and 5 o’clock. Movado calls this a sport-elegant design, which captures the essence of the timepiece in a phrase. The watch is powered by a Swiss automatic chronograph movement and is water-resistant to 100 meters. There’s a screw-down crown and open caseback, showing off the beauty of the movement.

The fluid three-row bracelet with satin and brushed surfaces displays the gold dot down the center of the links and is completed with a twin trigger deployment clasp. This model is not only fashionable but also includes many of the features and materials one would expect from a luxury timepiece, like the automatic movement, sapphire crystal, screw-down crown, and respectable water resistance. 

Price: $3,995 

MOVADO BOLD VERSO GOLD

The Bold Verso comes in 19 different configurations. This one is in yellow gold ion-plated stainless steel. The case measures 44mm and has a fixed bezel and tachymeter. The dial of the timepiece is a sunburst gold with three registers, including a day pointer and a date window at 4 o’clock. There is a gold-toned marking around the outer edge of the dial with white lumed hour markings.

At 12 o’clock, there’s a gold-toned dot. The watch is powered by a Swiss quartz chronograph movement and is water-resistant to 50 meters. The timepiece is paired with a yellow gold ionic-plated stainless steel link bracelet with a twin trigger deployment clap. The bracelet’s center links are high polish and provide a sophisticated contrast. 

This is a substantial-looking timepiece that would pair nicely with a gold wedding band, and while yellow gold can look good with all skin tones, it looks especially attractive with warmer tones. So, if that’s you, you’ve found some additional reasons to consider the Verso Gold.

Price: $995 

MOVADO ALTA SUPER SUB SEA AUTOMATIC BLACK DIAL

The Alta Super Sub offers a nod to the 1960s original with its smart, mid-century design. Expertly crafted from Dura904 steel, the case measures 43mm. The black bezel is made of ceramic, and there’s a sapphire crystal protecting the face of the wristwatch.

The dial is black with Arabic indexes, and while the dial is sans the Movado dot motif, it does feature dots around the bezel. In place of the iconic dot is the Movado M Chevron logo in silver. The three registers on the dial are white, and there’s a date window between 4 and 5 o’clock. 

The timepiece has a screw-down crown and is water-resistant to 200 meters. Under the hood is a Swiss automatic chronograph movement visible through the open casebook and offers a 62-hour power reserve. The three-row bracelet is also made of Dura904 steel and has contrasting satin links on the sides and polished links down the center, giving the watch an upmarket style. 

Price: $3,995 

MOVADO BOLD VERSO BRONZE

This version of the Bold Verso in bronze ion-plated stainless steel is a refined pairing of materials and color combinations. The stainless steel case measures 44mm, and there’s a fixed gray bezel. The dial is a sunburst gunmetal with indexes.

The bronze hands and ring around the dot play well off the dial. There’s a pointer day and a date window at 4 o’clock. The timepiece has a Swiss quartz chronograph movement and is water-resistant to 50 meters. The face of the watch is protected by K1 crystal.

All this is fitted with a black leather strap with a tan lining and a tang buckle. The Verso Bronze is simply a fine-looking dress watch that may not have a loud presence, but when it’s noticed, it will surely be admired. 

Price: $795

MOVADO HERITAGE SERIES CIRCA ROSE GOLD

Rose gold pairs well with every skin tone and can be rather versatile. The Heritage Series circa in Rose Gold presents with a vintage-inspired dial. There’s a printed tachymeter on the outer rim of the dial, three registers, and a date window between 4 and 5 o’clock.

The black dial, white lettering, rose gold hands, and indices offer a classy display. There’s something about this timepiece that’s mature and refined. 

The watch is powered by a Swiss quartz chronograph movement and is water resistant to 30 meters. The face of the watch is protected by a sapphire crystal, which is a worthy upgrade. The black alligator leather strap with a rose gold tang buckle adds another level of distinction over a simple calfskin. 

Price: $995 

MOVADO BOLD FUSION

There are many Bold Fusion models by Movado with various color and material combinations with straps and bracelets, as well as chronographs and other features. The one we’re exploring here is an eye-catching bronze ion-plated stainless steel case that measures 44.5mm. The smooth ceramic black bezel is fixed and plain but frames the timepiece well. 

The dial is a beautiful brushed sunburst bronze/rose gold with three black registers. The hour and minute hands are black, and the second hand is a lighter, polished rose gold. The hour indexes are black, and there’s a black ring around the dot. There’s a date window at 4 o’clock for added functionality. 

The face of the watch is protected by a K1 crystal and offers a Swiss quartz chronograph movement inside. It’s water resistant to 50 meters and includes a black silicone strap that’s attached to the timepiece with bronze end pieces and is secured to the wrist with a bronze tang buckle. This is a sporty and elegant timepiece that reminds me of a more upmarket design from a brand like Hublot. 

Price: $895 

Closing Thoughts

While the experts might be divided on this brand, the real question is, what do you think about Movado? Personally, I find their minimalist design to be the definition of understated elegance. While some of their models lack the basic standards one might expect in a luxury watch, their designs are so captivating and classy that they deserve a spot in your collection or at least your consideration. All of the chronographs explored in this article won’t disappoint and are sure to solicit many compliments.