Brands of timepieces come and go. And that's the way it has been over the past few centuries. But an exceptional few manage to continue manufacturing watches for several decades or more. It is rarer still to see a watchmaker maintain its reputation of quality and timelessness without making major changes to its products.

That's exactly what Movado has accomplished.

Movado watches still represent the pinnacle of design and fashion, even in modern times. Even though style trends enter and exit the public consciousness with increasing rapidity, a Movado wristwatch is still an integral part of any wardrobe, outfit, or ensemble.

So how does Movado do it? Here are some of the signature features of the quintessential high-end timepiece that is Movado.

Tradition

The tradition of Movado goes all the way back to 1881, when 19-year old Achille Ditesheim began making watches in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland with an eye on both quality and creativity. He chose the name Movado from the Esperanto language, where it means "always in motion." Since its inception, Movado watches have garnered over 200 international awards for achievement in watch technology and design.

Craftsmanship

Movado craftsmen are masters in the field of watch making and take great pride in every timepiece they create. But they always strive to improve the quality of Movado watches even more by incorporating practical qualities such as water resistance and protective crystal cases. To this end, Movado boasts over 100 patents pertaining to movement and mechanics in the wristwatch industry. Movado's all-Swiss quartz technology is one of the main reasons why the brand has remained a consumer favorite for so long.

Innovations

Many people don't realize the number of wristwatch innovations for which Movado is responsible. In 1912, Movado created a timepiece which contained movement on three different planes so the watch could fit into a curved case that followed a person's wrist. During World War I, Movado constructed a watch with a protective grille that was designed to be worn by soldiers on the battlefield. Movado was also the force behind the revolutionary Kingmatic rotor-driven automatic watch movements which were prevalent during the 1950's.

Simplicity

Today, Movado's main attribute is arguably its simplicity. While other brands endeavor to "jazz up" their watches with various gimmicks, Movado watches generally adhere to the same basic design. This translates into instant recognition of the brand whether the watch is a classic or one of the newest models to hit the marketplace.

The Black Sundial

For years, Movado watches have been identified by their basic black sundial. This unadorned dial design is free of visual clutter, thus allowing the watch's underlying beauty to reveal itself. This feature perfectly represents Movado's rejection of superfluous, flashy accents and its acceptance of clean, sleek appearances.

But most consumers now picture the famous "gold dot" when they envision a Movado watch. This dot, which is always floating in the 12:00 position on the watch face, symbolizes the sun at high noon hovering directly over the earth. Movado's use of the sun's image bolsters the idea that while the brand represents breathtaking, awesome beauty. Its progression through the world of watchmaking is "always in motion."

Even though Movado watches have a distinctive look, it is incorrect to assume that all Movado timepieces "look the same." On the contrary, Movado's vast line of all-occasion watches assures the customer that he or she can find a timepiece to suit any look or lifestyle.

Ladies can pick a Movado for any occasion or wardrobe. The biggest selection comes in a choice of bracelet styles and materials. Women can enjoy the quality and attractiveness of a Movado watch with a leather strap or a bracelet made of stainless steel or tungsten. These bracelets can be a single shade of silver or gold, or a two-tone blend of both. They can even be comprised of ringlets, ovals, and other circular links of varying designs. Finally, ladies who want something a little bit different in their Movado can even opt for a watch face that is either dark blue, white mother-of-pearl, or pink in color.

Men have several style alternatives as well. Like the ladies, guys can fasten their Movado timepieces to their wrists with smooth leather bands, black rubber straps, or metallic bracelets. In addition, there are several different styles of link patterns and colors to suit a man's individual preferences. Men can buy a Movado watch with the classic round dial, or they can choose a rectangular or curved rectangular case and dial if they want a touch of flair. There are even Movado watches with sub dials, index markers, and chronographs for a sportier look.

Whatever your pick, your Movado watch comes with a one-year limited warranty and is backed by over a century of fine craftsmanship and quality. So if you're looking for a high-end timepiece, there's no better investment than a Movado.