Ceramic is an almost magical material that seems even more tailor-made for watches than the rockets, jet engines, and formula race cars that have relied on the material for decades. It’s both harder and lighter than steel and virtually unscratchable. And in contrast to all metals, it’s also hypoallergenic.
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Aesthetically, it produces crisp, bright colors infused into the material itself instead of a thin coating. That makes the color impervious to fading, no matter how often it’s exposed to the elements. Topped off by its traditional glassy smooth finish and feel, ceramic watches are exceptionally comfortable and striking.
The Challenge of Ceramic
This dichotomy between the obvious user appeal and limited availability of ceramic watches boils down to one fact: ceramic watches are complicated to make. In many ways, the production process feels more akin to an art form like cooking than it does methodical manufacturing.
That’s why for decades, ceramic watches have been a relative rarity usually found in the lineup of high-end luxury timepieces.
The process starts by combining the raw materials — ceramic powder and color pigments — to form a base material, which is then molded under precise conditions to ensure uniformity and quality. From there, the formed base material is exposed to insanely high temperatures in a process called sintering, which permanently fuses and hardens the raw materials. Finally, the molded, sintered components are precisely machined into their final form before being polished to the desired level of finish, from matte to glossy.
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In other words, creating high-quality ceramic watches is vastly different from the metalwork associated with most watch cases and bracelets. Brands can’t simply dabble in it and expect to be successful. It requires intense focus and investment to pull off.
This is why it’s remarkable that MVMT (pronounced like “movement”) offers an impressively deep lineup of ceramic-made watches, all available for well under $500.
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Turning Appreciation Into Product
It didn’t happen by accident. The company has focused intensely on making the space-aged material more approachable because, as CEO Eran Cohen states, “We’re enamored by ceramic’s unparalleled beauty and history. Our team takes a passionate, free-thinking approach to watchmaking. And that makes ceramic one of our most rewarding and exciting materials to bring to market.”
We fell in love with both the art and science behind ceramic watchmaking. It’s simply a material that’s unlike anything else in the world, and that becomes clear the moment you put it on your wrist.
– MVMT VP of Creative Spencer Stumbaugh.
Spencer Stumbaugh, VP of Creative for MVMT, echoes the same belief. “We fell in love with both the art and science behind ceramic watchmaking. It’s simply a material that’s unlike anything else in the world, and that becomes clear the moment you put it on your wrist.”
Unlike other approachable micro brands, MVMT has leveraged its position within the broader Movado Group family to its unique advantage by bringing 140 years of watchmaking heritage, research and infrastructure to bear on the challenge. The results of this company-wide affection for the material and unique market positioning now speak for themselves.
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MVMT currently offers two distinct lines of full ceramic watches for men and three for women, covering a wide range of case shapes and dial configurations, including a chronograph.
As to the ceramic material, colors vary from the traditional deep blacks and bright whites often associated with the material to more unique options of greens, grey, taupes, dark blues and even light pink. While those familiar with ceramic often associate it with a shiny, glossy finish, MVMT’s lineup even boasts a new diamond-blasted matte finish option. The brand also has plans to reveal at least two more ceramic lines by the end of the year.
Resetting Expectations
This is exciting to see from the California-based brand that was founded a little over a decade ago as a scrappy crowdfunded startup.
This enormous progress in watchmaking isn’t lost on MVMT’s CEO for his brand or the wider watch-buying community. “We take immense pride in our unique ability to share this rare, refined material with our audience,” Cohen says.
Given how far the company has come in short order, MVMT’s now reset the watch world’s expectations for what it should expect from the relatively young company moving forward. And we’re all eager to know what’s next.
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