Sure, Analog:Shift is a business built around the love of watches — mostly mechanical watches. But, in essence, it’s our love for timepieces and timekeeping in general that are the common themes throughout the items we procure. And that includes the love of clocks in general: pocket watches, travel clocks, and more. 

After all, in the couple-hundred years before the First World War, personal timekeeping was all about the pocket watch, and before that, it was larger clocks that were front and center, horologically. We still believe a good clock — such as a classic travel model from the 1920s or 1930s — has a place in the watch lover’s collection.

This particular timepiece is a vintage Ermeto travel clock from Movado. Fitted to a case designed by Hugenin Frères in 1926, the mechanical Ermeto was produced until 1985, making the model a collector's dream. Available in four different sizes, it was designed to be carried in a purse or other bag and featured a rectangular case that slid open to reveal the timepiece's dial and winding crown. 

Measuring 48mm x 33mm, this Normal-sized model features a stainless steel enclosure covered in brown lizard skin. The cream dial features an outer 'railroad' minute track, luminous Arabic indices, and a luminous 'spade' handset that all beautifully capture the early-20th-century time period from which it stems. Inside is a hand-wound movement from Movado, which is wound via the 12 o'clock crown.

A beautiful and highly collectable object, the Ermeto is a timeless example of excellent horological and industrial design. Set it on a bookshelf or dresser as a reminder of a bygone era  —  or use it to keep modern time!