A Movado Ermeto watch was a pocket/purse watch manufactured between 1926 and 1985 by Movado in La Chaux-de-Fonds (Switzerland). The model, a joint creation between case maker Huguenin Frères and watch maker Movado, was introduced in 1926. It won the Grand Prix at the 1929 Barcelona International Exposition. The trademark Ermeto derives from the Greek ερμητικός, transliterated as ermētikós, which means “hermetic, sealed”, in reference to the characterictics of the case design, emphasizing the watch protection against dust, moisture and shocks, although it was not hermetic in the strict sense of the term. The rectangular case is made up of two sliding covers enclosing the timepiece inside. The Ermeto range comprised four sizes, from smaller to bigger (approximate dimensions with the case closed included for reference purposes only, they may vary depending on each unit): "Baby" (43 x 26 mm), "Normal" (48 x 34 mm), "Master" (54 x 37 mm) and "Pullman" (100 x 70 mm). The latter a desk clock with an 8-day movement. The "Baby" was intended mainly for ladies' handbags whereas the "Normal" was promoted as a unisex model. Unlike many of its Swiss competitors, Movado was at that time a manufacture d'horlogerie, making its own in-house movements, and so the Ermeto range was fitted with the company's different calibres according to the size of the case and complications added. Although movements from Lemania and A. Schild were used in the "Pullman" with alarm, and from A. Schild in the Ermetophon as well. Those complications included a triple calendar called Calendermeto ("Normal" size), an alarm used in the Jumbo ("Pullman" size) and the Ermetophon ("Normal" size), and the date, as seen in the Ermetoscope ("Normal" size) featuring a glass with date magnifier, and Calendine ("Baby" size). The watch was manufactured in a variety of metal cases such as platinum, gold, silver, vermeil, steel and base metal, coverings of reptile skins, galuchat, etc., and finishings, such as lacquer, niello, enamel, guilloché enamel, etc. Although the case rectangular shape remained unchanged during its lifetime, the style of dials and hands evolved with times and, if original to the watch, help to date a certain piece. The timepiece was conceived to be used with or without a chain to be placed in a pocket, purse or bag. Many incorporated a folding hinged strut in the back of the watch itself, so when the covers were opened, allowed the timepiece to be placed on a desk or bedside table, acting as a travel clock. Movado's advertising of the period claimed that the Ermeto represented “Le troisième âge de la montre” (The third age of the watch), following the era of the pocket watch and the wrist watch. The product's success made that firms such as Cartier, Hermès, Tiffany, Van Cleef & Arpels, etc. were interested in it, hence the Ermetos sold with those brand names in the dial. Sometimes it bore the name of a given retailer too. Among the historical figures known to have owned an Ermeto were Pope Pius XI, King Albert I of Belgium and his consort the Queen Elizabeth, King Edward VIII, Clara Bow, Andy Warhol, who owned at least six different models, and Prince Charles, whose watch was stolen from St. James Palace in 1994 and later returned to him. It is said that an early model was presented to Albert Einstein. (en)
