216 Movado James Rosenquist Edition, Very Distinctive and Original, Elapse/Eclipse/Ellipse, Wristwatch in Silver, With Three Time Zone, Reference 90.15.980

Estimate: €5,000 –⁠ 10,000

Model: Elapse/Eclipse/Ellipse
Reference: 90.15.980
Case Material: Silver
Bracelet Material: Leather Strap
Year: 1991
Movement: Manual
Case N°: N°009/180
Dimensions: 57 × 34 mm
Signed: Dial, Case and Movement

The philosophy “always in motion” that is the transcription from Esperanto of Movado remained within the brand for all its history, which was constantly innovating in terms of styles and designs. The here offered “Elapse, Eclipse, Ellipse” is a total ground breaking creations based on the work of one of the most intriguing artists of the 20th century, James Rosenquist. Movado has been experimental with in-house movements and Avant-Garde with designs well into the early nineties and in this period gave up its reign to some artists who knew exactly what they wanted from conception to completion. The title behind Rosenquist’s watch, Elapse, Eclipse, Ellipse, refers to the collision of three watches where the outer clocks are symbolically squeezing the center dial into a contorted shape. Despite the “pressure” inflicted, all retain their shape and individuality. It was intended to be a world time watch, with a location in mind for Europe, LA, and New York, each a place of personal significance for Rosenquist. The three manual-wind watches are fashioned into an amorphous silver case with three floating dials, protected by a single layer of convex sapphire glass. A truly unique design for a truly fascinating artist and with using his words “The Ellipse dial, a swirl of blues and white, represents the earth seen from space. The middle dial, Eclipse, is a mix of reds, purples, and yellows, like a burning meteor . . . eclipsing the earth.” And the Elapse dial, in which the pointillist images of a fork, a knife, and a spoon are discernible, is “an elapse of time . . . maybe the elapsed time between meals. Time is ticking for hungry people.”