Movado · ref Tempomatic · mid-1940s–1960s
The Tempomatic is where Movado's self-winding watches began. Movado filed its first automatic patent in 1942, and by the mid-1940s the Tempomatic was on sale as the brand's first automatic line. The early ones are small, elegant postwar dress watches. A 1940s steel example Analog/Shift sold as new old stock measured 32mm, with a grainy silvered dial, applied Arabic numerals and arrows, gold dauphine hands and a red seconds hand. The name carried on for decades, so a 1960s Tempo-Matic looks quite different, with a 35mm softly squared case, stick hands and a date, running the cal. 2552 PC. Dealers rate mid-century Movados as some of the best value in vintage watches, and the Tempomatic is a good example of why. You get a real Movado automatic from the brand's best years in a size that suits a dress watch fan. Decide which era you want first, then shop on dial condition and a movement that winds properly.
The caliber
Movado filed its first automatic patent in 1942, and the Tempomatic, launched in the mid-1940s, was the line that took the brand into self-winding watches. The movements changed over the decades, and a 1960s Tempo-Matic Analog/Shift sold ran the cal. 2552 PC with a date. Check the movement photo to know which generation you're buying.
Refinished dials and worn winding parts are the usual problems. Small early cases are easy to over-polish, which softens the lugs.
Buying guide
We'd buy the steel Tempomatic titled RUNS at $358 delivered from the US, about $240 under the band. There are only about 14 for sale and most ask $600–1,000 delivered, mixing small early bumper automatics with later Tempomatics that have a date, so decide which era you want first. Ask for a movement photo showing a signed Movado automatic and how long it runs off the wrist, and plan on a service, since none of these titles claims one. Check the seller's feedback and return policy on the item page, and skip the $2,264 listing titled only "14k", which asks over $1,200 above the band.
$357.95est. delivered
The lowest delivered Tempomatic titled as running, at $358 from the US, about $240 under the band. Ask for daylight dial photos and how long it runs off the wrist.
Vintage Movado Tempomatic Watch Automatic, Steel Case RUNS
$695.43est. delivered
Titled as working, a date model with a silver mirror dial at $695 delivered, inside the band. It ships from Japan, so ask about import fees and how long it runs off the wrist.
Movado Tempomatic Date Silver Mirror Dial AT Men's Working Watch
$130.00delivered
Titled for restoration, at $130 delivered, about $470 under the band, with the cal. 2552 the catalog lists for 1960s date models. Ask what it needs, and take it on only with a watchmaker who knows Movado automatics.
Vintage Movado Tempomatic Sub Sea Automatic Watch for Restoration. Caliber 2552
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 6, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Snapshot
Checked . Some may have sold.
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 6, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Used$357.95est. delivered
$349.95 + $8.00 shipping
Buy It Now$349.95
Good buy
Steel case, titled runs.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
Used$695.43est. delivered
$635.43 + $60.00 shipping
Buy It Now$635.43
Good buy
Date model, silver mirror dial, titled working. Ships from Japan.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
For parts$130.00delivered
$130.00 · free shipping
Buy It Now$130.00
Project piece
Tempomatic Sub Sea for restoration, cal. 2552. Ships from Argentina.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
Used$599.99delivered
$599.99 · free shipping
Buy It Now$599.99
Our take
32mm, the early size, with a 14K gold top.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
Used$805.99est. delivered
$800.00 + $5.99 shipping
Buy It Now$800.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
Ref. 16161 in a François Borgel case, 34mm.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
Refurbished$850.00delivered
$850.00 · free shipping
Buy It Now$850.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
Stamped 14K gold filled. Listed as refurbished, with no details in the title.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
Used$899.99delivered
$899.99 · free shipping
Buy It Now$899.99
Our take
Tempomatic Sport 3074, 33mm steel, bumper automatic.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
Used$2,264.18est. delivered
$2,250.00 + $14.18 shipping
Buy It Now$2,250.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Priced high
Titled only 14k. Over $1,200 above the band.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
Prices change daily. The live eBay search shows everything listed now, including anything new since Oct 6, 2026.
See every listing on eBay ↗eBay searchA fresh strap, a set of spring bars and a spring-bar tool are the cheap part of making an old Movado Tempomatic wearable again. This searches Amazon for the usual kit.
Search straps & tools ↗Amazon search
Movado · Kingmatic
Dressref Kingmatic Sub Sea
$470–$2,425 typical ask
Movado · Triple calendar
Dressref Calendograph, cal. 470/475
$1,400–$3,700 typical ask
Longines · Admiral
Dressref Admiral 5 Star
$500–$1,000 typical ask
Omega · Genève
Dressref 135.070
$525–$975 typical ask