ReviewA Design Dream—The Elegant Esperanza By Movado

One of the biggest strengths a brand can have is to create products that are instantly identifiable. It’s these brands that make a mark not just in stunning displays of store windows, but even when seen on your wrist, whether you’re shopping in the supermarket, or meeting with associates. Among them is Movado. It’s quite interesting really, since Movado is among the handful of brands in its category that have this immediate recognisability. This is primarily due to the signature Museum dot that you see in most of their watches. One collection in particular that takes things a step further is Esperanza. The Esperanza timepieces not only have the dot at 12, they also have the signature Esperanza bracelet, seen across all the ladies’ models.

The Strength Of Design

First introduced in the 1980s, and drawing heavily from Art Deco design of the early 1900s, the Esperanza collection captures in its form and purpose the very essence of Art Deco. Geometric patterns and bold curves define the Esperanza watch and its strap. Elongated and curved metallic links are put together to form the ‘open-linked’ bracelet that is meant to gently caress your wrist like an elegant bangle. This sleek look lends these watches a structured silhouette that commands attention even with its understated appeal.

The structural splendour of these fine timepieces is perfectly complemented by the clean look of the dial itself. Exemplifying minimalism in its design is the Museum dot that almost makes a solo appearance on the face of the watch at 12 o’clock. This classic Movado dial design—a close rendition of the Museum Classic collection—is informed by the Bauhaus school of design that emerged in 1919 and incited a revolution towards simple, tasteful and functional design. The Museum dot, now a staple for Movado, was a product of such a design philosophy. It was designed for the Museum Classic by American artist Nathan George Horwitt, who believed in a more simple perspective of time. “We do not know time as a number sequence,” Horwitt said, “but by the position of the sun as the Earth rotates.” Drawing from that philosophy, the Museum dot—originally designed in gold to represent the sun—took its place at the 12 o’clock position, effectively a symbol of its position at noon. The concave dot makes its appearance at 12 o’clock in the Esperanza models as well, with dauphine-shaped hands that move around the dial as they represent the movement of the Earth with respect to the sun.

The New-Age Esperanza

With subtle and nuanced design, these watches reflect a positive and forward-thinking attitude, with an apt name—Esperanza, meaning ‘hope’ in Spanish. The new timepieces of the series have taken forward the strong design principles that form the foundation of not just this collection, but the entire brand as well. In 2016, the ergonomic changes made to the structure of the case and the bracelet added wearing comfort, as well as convenience, with the new push-button deployment of the bracelet clasp. It was this update that also presented a modified dial design. Featuring a raised outer ring with a lacquer finish, the update has added textural contrast, enhancing its nuanced appeal. Last year, the brand introduced certain steel and gold PVD-treated models. The two-tone look in particular has been quite a hit, owing to its dressy nature. Making for an even more resplendent appearance are the pieces that have the Museum dial in mother of pearl with a sandblasted outer ring, and those that are framed by diamonds paved on their bezels.

Made for the modern woman, each of these Swiss-made watches comes fitted with an accurate quartz movement, set in a 28mm case. The clean face of the watch serves as a reminder that time is not about numbers, but about moments. And even as you make an impression with this instantly identifiable watch, you’ll also know to make the most of every moment. So go ahead and carpe diem!

Which Esperanza will you seize the day with? Do scroll down and share your thoughts with us in the comments section.