Time Lost or Lost Time? What Movado Watches Say About the Next Generation


There was a time—not too long ago—when gifting a Movado watch was more than just a celebration of style; it was a rite of passage. Sleek, minimalist, and unmistakably elegant, a Movado wasn’t just about telling time—it was about owning your time. But fast-forward to today, and I find myself having the same conversation, almost daily:


“They don’t know how to read it.”


I’m talking about young people—bright, creative, connected—and yet, many of them are baffled when looking at a traditional analog Movado watch. No numbers. No digital cue. Just that iconic dot at 12 o’clock and two hands moving silently in elegance. And that seems to be too much for some to interpret.


So here we are, at a crossroad of time and tradition, and I can’t help but ask: Have we failed the younger generation?



The Movado Moment



Movado has long been a symbol of modern sophistication—its design is art, its message timeless. One look, and you know it’s a Movado. But it demands something from the wearer too: a basic understanding of how to tell the time using analog hands. A simple skill, yet one that is increasingly rare.


I once sold a stunning Movado to a young professional, only to have them sheepishly return and ask, “Can you show me how to read this?” At first, I chuckled. Then it hit me—it wasn’t funny. It was a sign of the digital age displacing a life skill.



A Shift in Timekeeping



We’ve created a world where time is read for us. Phones buzz. Smartwatches chime. Alexa announces. Siri reminds. But what happens when power goes out, batteries die, or you’re handed a beautiful Movado with no numbers and no guide but your own knowledge?


This isn’t about criticizing youth—it’s about the subtle erosion of basic, once-universal knowledge. In our quest for convenience, have we stripped away curiosity and intuition? Have we replaced depth with digital distraction?



The Responsibility of Tradition



As someone who appreciates craftsmanship, heritage, and the stories that timepieces tell, I see watches like Movado not just as accessories, but as teachers. They teach patience. They teach presence. They remind us that elegance doesn’t scream—it whispers.


If an entire generation looks at a Movado and feels confused rather than inspired, then yes, maybe we as a society have some self-reflection to do.


Parents, educators, mentors—have we taught enough of the why behind the what? Why analog time matters. Why craftsmanship matters. Why knowing how to tell time—without a screen—is still important.



Moving Forward



This isn’t a call to throw out technology. It’s a reminder to balance it. To ensure that, alongside coding and crypto, our children can also read a classic timepiece. That they can sit with a Movado on their wrist and know exactly what it’s saying—not just what hour it is, but what era it represents.


Because time isn’t just about minutes. It’s about moments. And the ability to read one… should never go out of style.



Final Thought



Maybe it’s time we reintroduced the art of telling time. Not just on a screen—but on a dial. Starting with something timeless. Like a Movado.

Disclaimer 
I do not in any way work for or represent Movado directly in any way and the statements made are my opinion only and not from or by Movado. 

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