Important Collectors Watches, Pocket ...

Geneva, May 10, 2009

LOT 9

Polyplan Movado, "Chronometer", movement No. 400884, case No. 400956, Ref. G 4002. Fine and very rare, tonneau-shaped, curved, 18K white gold lady's wristwatch with Polyplan movement and mobile gold-plated silver bracelet with initials "N.T. G." on the case and "F.A, Hollywood" on the buckle.

CHF 7,000 - 9,000

USD 6,000 - 7,800 / EUR 4,600 - 6,000

Sold: CHF 7,800

C. Two-body, solid, polished, hinged bezel, engraved sides and case back, winding crown at 12. D. Matte silver with painted radial Arabic numerals, subsidiary seconds dial, outer minute track. Blued steel Lozenge hands. M. Swiss Patent No 60360, June 7, 1912, Cal. 400, tonneau and curved, both ends of movement plate angled downwards by 25°, rhodium-plated, oeil de perdrix decoration, 15 jewels, straight line lever escapement, cut bimetallic balance with four adjusments, Breguet balancespring, index regulator. Dial, case and movement signed. Dim. 19 x 44 mm. Thickness 8.5 mm. Approx. overall length 160 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent

Case: 3

Good

Movement: 3-7*

Good

Oxidized

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense

Dial: 3-6-01

Good

Slightly oxidized

HANDS Original

Notes

This watch was a gift from actress Norma Talmadge to the present owner's great uncle, film director Chico Day.
Francisco "Chico" Day (1907- 1995)
was the first Mexican-American to become a member of the Directors Guild of America; he was honored in 1995 by the DGA Latino Committee. Being bilingual, he was often chosen to be First Assistant Director or Production Manager of Hollywood films shot on location in Mexico, such as One-Eyed Jacks (1961) and Major Dundee (1965). He also worked for directors such as Cecil B. De Mille and John Frankenheimer. Shortly after his retirement, he was awarded the DGA's Frank Capra award in 1981, in recognition of his career achievement in the Industry and service to the Directors Guild of America. His brother, actor Gilbert Roland, a well known leading man of the day, had a long-standing romantic relationship with actress Norma Talmadge.
Movado Polyplan The ultra-slim elongated Polyplan usually came in an attenuated rectangle, oval or tonneau-shaped gold case and was certainly not an everyday watch ? its high production costs were most likely due to the expenditure in manufacturing the curvature. This was also an obstacle for producing higher numbers, which would have ensured a sales success ». Citation from "The Movado History" by Fritz von Osterhausen, A. Schiffer Publishing Ltd. 1996. A similar watch is published in this book, p. 35.