The definition of Movado, in Esperanto, means ''always in motion,'' .. and nothing can be further than the truth. The company began its exsistance in 1881, based in a small workshop in La Chaux-de- faunds, Switzerland. Founded by renown watchmaker Achille Ditisheim, with the help of his six employees, every watch was manufactured individually and assembled by hand. By 1899, their hard work and determination had paid off. They were awarded six first- class Official Rating Certificates in their class, and in the following year, they were awarded a Silver Medal at the Universal Exhibition in Paris.

In 1905, the thriving company finally decided upon its highly celebrated name, Movado, and resumed their earnest pursuit towards excellence in design and functionality. Movado won the 1910 Grand Prix Exhibitions in Paris, Rome, Brussels and Rio de Janeiro for their introduction of 8 ½ ligne wristwatch movements. Ever since the unveiling of the Polyplan watch in 1912, which took the watch community by storm, watch collectors today feverishly search for timepieces built in this style.