Our Company

HISTORY OF
THE MOVADO GROUP

ALWAYS IN MOTION

Since 1881, Movado has been a brand in motion – always changing, always innovating, always moving forward. This quest for innovation has made us one of the world’s premier watchmakers, with a proud heritage of Swiss craftsmanship, design excellence, and technological innovation. With more than 100 patents and 200 international awards for watch design and time technology, Movado continues innovating into the future. Movado watches are in 20 museums across the globe.

1881

MOVADO BRAND
FOUNDED

Achilles Ditesheim, a 19-year-old entrepreneur, hires six watchmakers and opens a small workshop in the village of La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland.

In 1905, Ditesheim renames his young company Movado – a word meaning “always in motion” in the artificial, international language of Esperanto.

1947

ICONIC
MOVADO MUSEUM
DESIGNED

The single dot watch dial that will earn world renown as The Movado Museum Watch is created by Nathan George Horwitt, the first artist to explore the concept of time as design.

In 1960, Horwitt’s original dial design becomes the first watch dial ever to be accepted by the Museum of Modern Art, New York, into its permanent design collection.

1965

GEDALIO GRINBERG FOUNDS NORTH AMERICAN WATCH CORP

Movado Group’s founder, Gedalio Grinberg, was a visionary entrepreneur who escaped Cuba in the early 1960’s and came to the United States with his young family to begin the journey that would lead to the company that is today Movado Group. Gedalio Grinberg is recognized as an industry driver who was instrumental in overcoming the sector’s challenging period in 1970’s. He was also critical in the establishment of luxury watch marketing.

1983

NORTH AMERICAN WATCH CORP. ACQUIRES MOVADO

In 1960, Horwitt’s original dial design becomes the first watch dial ever to be accepted by the Museum of Modern Art, New York, into its permanent design collection.

1998 - 2012

BUILT
LICENSED BRAND
DIVISION -
EBEL ACQUIRED

Starting with Coach in 1998, Movado Group builds its impressive portfolio of licensed brands: Coach, Tommy Hilfiger, Hugo Boss, Lacoste and Scuderia Ferrari.

2017 - 2018

MOVADO GROUP ACQUIRES OLIVIA BURTON AND MVMT BRANDS

In July 2017 Movado Group acquired the London based OliviaBurton brand.  Olivia Burton is recognized as one of the United Kingdom’s fastest growing fashion watch and jewelry brands.  It was founded by Jemma Fennings and Lesa Bennett in 2011.

MVMT, a multi-category (watches, jewelry, eyewear)millennial brand, was acquired by Movado Group in October 2018. MVMT focuses on authentic relationships, engaging consumers through best in class digital/social content. MVMT was founded in 2013 by Jake Kassan andKramer LaPlante with the mission to inspire consumers to live their best lives.