Item No. 9112
Sold Out
Today's offering showcases this elegant and uncommon vintage 18K gold Moviga "Chronotech Chronometer" watch that was owned and worn by Richard Chamberlain, Golden Globe winning, and Emmy and Grammy nominated actor.
Moviga was the brand name used by Marvin Hime, owner of one of the longest-established jewelry store in Beverly Hills. Known as "The honest jeweler", Himes also sold to Jerry Lewis, Barbara Streisand, Frank Sinatra, and presumably many other Hollywood celebrities.
An actor and singer, who became a teen idol in the title role of the television show Dr. Kildare, his is also well-known for being the first to play Jason Bourne in the 1988 television film The Bourne Identity, as well as appearing in miniseries such as Shogun, The Thorn Birds, and playing many other roles. He also performed in musical theatre and classical stage roles.
The watch is labeled as a "chronometer" on the dial, and the uncommon Swiss ETA based 425 ultra thing movement, signed Marvin Hime, is also stamped that it is adjusted to temperature. This would have been one of the company's top-tier offerings.
We have not polished the watch or done anything to the outside of it except install a new crystal to give a clear view of the dial...otherwise we left it just as Mr. Chamberlain last used it which includes light scratches, a bit of dirt, etc. It has all of its original parts. It arrived to us from his collection without a strap, so we have installed a brand new leather lizard strap to make it ready for immediate enjoyment.
One of our Master watchmakers has disassembled the movement down to its last screw and cleaned and oiled the movement and installed a new crystal to replace the damaged one that was one it, making it ready for immediate enjoyment.
Included with the purchase is a one-year C.O.T. international warranty on the movement and its function, a custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity, and a new timing certificate.
A Los Angeles Times article about the late Mr. Himes can be found here: https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-05-03-mn-2438-story.html
Accompanying it is a Certificate of Authenticity and Provenance from a well-known auction house.
Richard Chamberlain -
Richard Chamberlain is an American actor and singer who rose to fame in the 1960s and became widely recognized for his role as Dr. James Kildare in the television series "Dr. Kildare." Born on March 31, 1934, in Los Angeles, California, Chamberlain's passion for acting and singing became apparent early on in his life.
In the early 1960s, Chamberlain co-founded a theatre group called Company of Angels in Los Angeles, where he honed his acting skills. During this time, he also made guest appearances on various television shows, gradually making a name for himself in the industry. It was in 1961 that Chamberlain's career took a significant turn when he landed the role of Dr. James Kildare in the NBC/MGM television series of the same name. Co-starring alongside Raymond Massey, he gained widespread fame and captured the hearts of audiences with his portrayal of the young intern.
Chamberlain's talent extended beyond acting, as he possessed a remarkable singing voice. His singing abilities led to the release of several hit singles in the early 1960s, including the "Theme from Dr. Kildare" titled "Three Stars Will Shine Tonight," which reached No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 Charts. As his popularity soared, Chamberlain embraced his multifaceted talents and continued to make waves in the entertainment industry.
After the conclusion of "Dr. Kildare" in 1966, Chamberlain ventured into the theater circuit, where he showcased his acting prowess. He took on various roles, including an ill-fated Broadway musical called "Breakfast at Tiffany's" in 1966, where he starred opposite Mary Tyler Moore and Priscilla Lopez. Despite the musical's unfortunate closure after only four previews, Chamberlain's commitment to his craft remained unshaken.
In the late 1960s, Chamberlain decided to explore opportunities in England. His talent was quickly recognized, and he found success in repertory theater and the BBC's adaptation of "Portrait of a Lady." Chamberlain's dedication to his craft and his reputation as a serious actor grew during this time. In 1969, he had the honor of starring alongside Katharine Hepburn in the film "The Madwoman of Chaillot." He also took on the iconic role of Hamlet for the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, becoming the first American actor to portray the character there since John Barrymore in 1925. His remarkable performance received acclaim, leading to a televised version for the Hallmark Hall of Fame in 1970, which earned him a Grammy Award nomination.
The 1970s marked a successful period for Chamberlain in film. He established himself as a leading man, starring in notable movies such as "The Music Lovers" (1970), "Lady Caroline Lamb" (1973), "The Three Musketeers" (1973), and "The Count of Monte Cristo" (1975). He showcased his versatility by taking on diverse roles, including a villainous turn in "The Towering Inferno" (1974) as a dishonest engineer. Chamberlain's talent extended to the musical genre as well, as demonstrated in "The Slipper and the Rose" (1976), a musical adaptation of the Cinderella story where he showcased his vocal abilities alongside Gemma Craven. In 1977, he starred in Peter Weir's film "The Last Wave," further solidifying his reputation as a versatile and accomplished actor.
Chamberlain's success continued in the realm of television, particularly in the form of mini-series, earning him the well-deserved nickname of "King of the Mini-Series." He captivated audiences with his performances in popular series such as "Centennial" (1978–79), "Shogun" (1980), and "The Thorn Birds" (1983), where he portrayed Father Ralph de Bricassart alongside Rachel Ward and Barbara Stanwyck.
In the 1980s, Chamberlain's talent graced both the big and small screens. He appeared as the leading man in the film "King Solomon's Mines" (1985) and took on the iconic role of Jason Bourne/David Webb in the television film adaptation of "The Bourne Identity" (1988).
Throughout his career, Richard Chamberlain has consistently proven himself as a versatile and talented actor. From his early days as Dr. James Kildare to his captivating performances in mini-series and films, he has left a significant mark on the entertainment industry. Chamberlain's dedication to his craft, his ability to bring characters to life, and his captivating voice have made him a beloved figure in the world of acting. His contributions to both the stage and screen continue to be celebrated, and his legacy as a true icon of the industry remains intact.
Connoisseur of Time's Renowned Celebrity Collection:
It is part of our Celebrity Collection of watches that has been featured in GQ, Revolution Watch, Europa Star, JCK, Hampton's Magazine, Gotham Magazine, Vegas Magazine, Silicon Valley magazine and many others. eBay just recently partnered with us for an exclusive, special sale for seven of the watches.
The collection has been composed of 88 watches and clocks owned or worn by 45 iconic celebrities and public figures. It may be the largest current collection of celebrity-owned watches in the world. It us constantly changing and is currently headlined by timepieces owned by some of the most legendary Hollywood actors and actresses, musicians, comedians, and entertainers:
The King, Elvis Presley. (Just sold)
The King of Pop, Michael Jackson. (Just sold)
The King of Comedy, Jerry Lewis.
The Artist Formerly Known as Prince
Hollywood icons Steve Martin, Red Skelton, Martin Sheen, Burt Reynolds, Betty White, Olivia Newton-John, Bob Hope, Greta Garbo, and Mickey Rooney.
Legendary musicians Johnny Cash, Frank and Nancy Sinatra, Janet Jackson, Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, Kenny Rogers, ZZ Top's Dusty Hill, Don Mclean, Mountain's Leslie West, and Hank Williams, Jr.
Sports great and soccer legend Pelé, , heavyweight boxing champion Jack Dempsey, Yankee great Lefty Gomez, World Cup winning captain and soccer defensive legend Daniel Passarella, and Green Bay Packer Mike Bucchianeri along with the game ball, signed photo and watch from the college football "all star" Blue Gray Game in 1940.
Further filling the current collection are watches from King Edward VIII and the Duchess of Windsor, beloved Hollywood host Ed Sullivan, renowned illusionists Siegfried & Roy, Academy award-winning actresses Loretta Young and Doris Day, Emmy award-winning actress Valerie Harper, Golden Globe winning actor Richard Chamberlain, Phyllis McGuire of the chart-topping McGuire sisters, Ian McDonald multi-instrumentalist English rocker for King Crimson and Foreigner, Elvira Mistress of the Dark (Cassandra Peterson), fashion designer to the stars Nolan Miller, and a watch worn by multiple characters in the television series "For All Mankind."
It also includes rare watches given by heads of state: A prototype 18K gold Buren Microrotor gifted by His Royal Majesty Ibn Saud, former King of Saudi Arabia; a Felsa given by former Libyan Colonel and Head of State Muammar Al Qathafi; a Longines given by Highness Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa former Prime Minister of the State of Bahrain; a Baume & Mercier gifted by the King of Jordan. All three watches are new-old-stock in presentation shadow box frames with photos.
Recently sold was a watch given a handful of years after the Civil War concluded by the Vice President Elect to honor an Army commander who went on to receive the Medal of Honor.
This is a significant, exciting, and constantly changing new collection you won't want to miss! Stay tuned over the coming weeks for photos of other special pieces from the collection!
To view the first few already up for sale follow this link: https://shop.connoisseuroftime.com/collections/our-celebrity-owned-historical-event-watches?page=1&sort_by=created-descending
Country of origin: Switzerland, made for the U.S. market
Maker: Moviga / Marvin Hime
Model: Ref. 0735
Case no.: A69692
Year made: c. 1960's
Functions: Hours, Minutes
Case material: 18K gold
Case markings (outer): A69692, 0735
Case condition: Very good condition with fairly light wear and scratches from use. Left just as we aquired it with the patina, which could be removed.
Dimensions: 25.5mm diameter (excluding the crown) by 32.3mm long lug tip to tip.
Dial: Gold, linen textured, signed Moviga Chronotech Chronometer, fairly mild aging
Movement type: Signed Movigo Marvin Hime, ultra thin, Swiss, ETA 425 finished, handwound, shock protected, gilt plated, adjusted to temperatures
Band: Leather, remborde, brand new and unworn
Crystal: Mineral glass, new-old-stock
Serviced: One of our Master watchmakers has disassembled the movement down to its last screw and cleaned and oiled the movement and installed a new crystal to replace the damaged one that was one it, making it ready for immediate enjoyment. We have not polished the watch or done anything to the outside of it except install a new crystal to give a clear view of the dial...otherwise we left it just as Mr. Chamberlain last used it which includes light scratches, a bit of dirt, etc. It has all of its original parts. It arrived to us from his collection without a strap, so we have installed a brand new leather lizard strap to make it ready for immediate enjoyment.
Timing: Timed to precision on a state-of-the-art computerized system. It is keeping very accurate time.
Warranty: 1-year international C.O.T. warranty. Please email concierge@cotwatches.com for details. Your watch is important to us, and we will take care of it for its lifetime. We provide the best after sale care in the business with an extremely experienced team of four Master Watchmakers all of whom each have over thirty-five years of experience and a large number of parts. One used to be the watchmaker for an authorized Rolex dealership and was given special training by Rolex at their Beverly Hills Service Center.
Box/Papers: BOX - Connoisseur of Time watch presentation box; PAPERS - Custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity; Certificate of Authenticity and Provenance from a well-known auction house.
Returns: 7 days full refund. 100% satisfaction guarantee
We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee for all of our watches. If you are in any way unsatisfied with the watch we will fully refund the purchase price anytime within 7 days after the watch has been received. Our goal is to exceed our client's expectations throughout the buying experience.
All watches are packaged carefully and mailed double boxed in specially constructed, reinforced shipping boxes designed for high value items. All watches are sent fully insured with signature required. Most of our domestic shipping is done through FedEx. At times we will also use USPS Express Mail, and we can accommodate most requests for your preferred carrier. International shipments are sent USPS International Express Mail or FedEx.
The purchase price will be the declared value of the merchandise on any required customs forms. The payment of all customs duties, tariffs, and taxes are the responsibility of the buyer.
Also note that water resistance of vintage watches can no longer be guaranteed and is not covered under the watch's warranty. We do not recommend getting a vintage watch wet, even one that was originally designed to be waterproof.