History of the Movado 1976
World Series Watch Owned by
Major
League Baseball Commissioner Bowie Kuhn
Bowie
Kent Kuhn was an American lawyer and sports administrator who served
as the 5th commissioner of Major League Baseball from February 4, 1969 to
September 30, 1984. He is one of the
newest members of the Baseball Hall of Fame of the Class of 2008. This was Bowie
Kuhn's personal Movado Zenith Surf Stainless Steel 1976 World Series watch that
came in the original Movado box. It included a COA from his widow Louisa Kuhn
(see below). After an auction, the new winning bidder and owner of the Kuhn
watch contacted Movado to learn more about the movement. It turns out that this
watch is much finer than anyone guessed. Movado wrote back and said that this
watch was given privately to Mr. Kuhn for the 1976 World Series. It was actually
a Zenith watch and has what is considered the "Rolls Royce" of electronic
movements, the ESA9162.13! This was by far the best tuning fork movement made
and it was used in Omega and several other quality brands under license from
Bulova. So not only does this watch have an unmistakable provenance in the
baseball history (also see below images below of Bowie Kuhn and the auction
catalog where this watch appeared) but this is a high quality watch and movement
that still works and keeps perfect time 30 years after it was presented to the
commissioner of Major League Baseball!
From:
REID, FAY [mailto:FREID@movadogroup.com]
On Behalf Of CustomerCare-US
Thursday, April 17, 2008 9:29 AM
To: johnfmurray@mindspring.com
Subject: FW: Movado Watch
question
Dear Mr. Murray:
Thank you for your inquiry. We thank you for your patience while I research your inquiry.
In order to provide you with an appropriate response we need the technical reference number that is located on the case back of your watch (first set of numbers) in order that we may be certain that we are providing the correct information relative to the movement of this watch.
In checking with our After Sales Department, they are of the opinion that Movado ‘gave’ this watch to Mr. Kuhn. Most likely one or a number of watches were purchased and we printed the dials and engraved the back at the buyer’s request. Movado provided this service for Joe Montana, the quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers. Mr. Montana was voted MVP one year and he purchased a number of Concords for his team mates. We engraved a sentiment on the watches at Mr. Montana’s request, but the watches were purchased, not given by Concord.
In terms of your question, ‘Is the casing like an Omega Electroquartz case and I wonder if Movado and Omega got the cases from the same supplier?’, in the book entitled, ‘The Movado History’ by Fritz von Osterhausen, Schiffer Books, which your local library may have for your use, there is reference to Omega. However, to the best of our knowledge we are unaware of Omega’s suppliers and as such we cannot determine if the case were manufactured by the same supplier.
We hope this helps.
Best regards,
Customer Service
Movado Group Inc.
Our After Sales Service has advised me that the last 3 digits of the technical reference “500” indicate the movement. This movement is an ESA 9162.13. We are unable to determine if the cases for Omega and Movado watches for this movement came from the same supplier as we did not own the Movado Company until 1983 and would not have those purchasing records. Also, we are unable to provide you with a value for your timepiece.
We are unable to provide you with any additional information for your timepiece.
Best regards,
Customer
Service
Movado Group Inc.
To the Left is the 1976 World Series watch given to Bowie Kuhn and later won in an auction. Below are photos from the original auction catalog in which this watch was purchased, the "Important Sports Memorabilia and Cards at Public Auction" put on by Hunt Inc. Auctions on Friday, March 7, 2008 at 5:00 PM and Saturday, March 8, 2008 at 10:00 AM. Also below is the letter of authorization for this watch signed by Louisa Kuhn, Bowie Kuhn's widow. Enjoy the photos!
