MVMT started with a simple pitch: watches don’t need a storied Swiss pedigree or a four-figure price tag to look genuinely good. Founded in Los Angeles in 2013, the brand built its name on oversized, minimalist dials and clean leather and mesh bands, funding its first collection through crowdfunding before growing into one of the most recognized names in accessible watch design.
What has kept MVMT relevant more than a decade later is a combination of consistent design language and real staying power — the brand was acquired by Movado Group in 2018, pairing its California-born aesthetic with established watchmaking infrastructure. Shoppers can browse the full range at MVMT’s official site.
Who is MVMT?
MVMT was founded in 2013 by Jacob Kassan and Kramer LaPlante, who were in their twenties when they launched the brand after raising roughly $300,000 through two Indiegogo crowdfunding campaigns. The pitch resonated immediately with younger shoppers who wanted a stylish watch without the traditional watch-store price tag or formality, and early word-of-mouth growth from that initial community helped the brand scale quickly without a large advertising budget.
Also worth a look: Mejuri Review: Fine Gold Jewelry Made for Every Day and JAXXON Review: Everyday Gold Built to Outlast the Gym.
The brand expanded quickly from its original watch collections into sunglasses and accessories by 2017, and in 2018 Movado Group acquired MVMT in a deal reported at around $100 million. That acquisition gave MVMT access to Movado’s manufacturing scale and retail relationships while the brand kept its distinct, California-inspired identity under the tagline “Dreamed in California.” Rather than folding MVMT into an existing lineup, Movado Group has largely let the brand continue operating with its own design direction and marketing voice, which is part of why its minimalist look has stayed consistent year over year even as the broader watch market has shifted toward smartwatches and wearables.
What MVMT does best
A handful of strengths explain MVMT’s staying power in a crowded watch market.
Bold, minimalist dial design
MVMT’s signature look features oversized, uncluttered watch faces that read as a statement piece without feeling busy, a style that helped define an entire category of accessible designer-look watches.
A genuinely wide collection
Lines like the Legacy Slim, Odyssey II and Chrono Ceramic give shoppers real variety in case size, materials and complexity, from everyday minimalist pieces to more detailed chronograph styles.
Smart category expansion
Sunglasses, jewelry and blue light glasses let customers build a coordinated look across categories, all sharing MVMT’s clean, California-inspired design language.
Manufacturing backed by an established watchmaker
Since its acquisition by Movado Group, MVMT has had access to more established supply chain and quality processes than many independent direct-to-consumer watch brands can offer on their own.
A low-risk way to try the brand
Free domestic shipping on orders over $75, free returns and a two-year warranty on every watch make it easy for new customers to try MVMT without much downside.
Products and pricing at a glance
| Product line | What it is | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Legacy Slim Watches | Slim-profile minimalist watches for everyday wear | $148–$198 |
| Odyssey II Collection | Sport-inspired watches with added durability features | $168–$228 |
| Chrono Ceramic Watches | Chronograph-style watches with ceramic bezel details | $228–$318 |
| Sunglasses | Minimalist frames in classic and modern shapes | $98–$148 |
| Jewelry | Bracelets, rings and necklaces matching the brand’s aesthetic | $48–$98 |
What customers say
Customers consistently point to MVMT’s design as the main draw, with many noting that the oversized dials and clean bands look far more expensive than the price suggests. The brand’s recognition from major style publications also comes up often, reinforcing that MVMT’s aesthetic has staying power beyond a passing trend, and shoppers frequently mention receiving compliments on a watch that cost far less than people assumed.
Shoppers also highlight the ease of the buying experience, including free shipping over $75, free returns and the two-year warranty, as reasons they feel comfortable ordering a watch without trying it on first. For a product category where fit and feel matter, that combination of guarantees removes much of the usual hesitation around buying online, and interchangeable band options let customers fine-tune the fit after the watch arrives.
Who MVMT is best for
MVMT is a great fit for shoppers who want a design-forward watch without paying traditional luxury-watch prices, especially anyone building a first solid watch collection or shopping for a versatile everyday piece. It’s equally well suited to customers who want to coordinate a watch with sunglasses or jewelry from the same brand, and to anyone who values the backing of an established watchmaker over a smaller, independent label. Gift shoppers will also appreciate how easy it is to find a style that suits a recipient’s taste across the brand’s range of dial sizes and colorways.
Price and value
With watches starting around $148, MVMT sits in an accessible middle ground between fast-fashion accessories and traditional luxury watches, while still delivering a design that reads as considerably more expensive. The Chrono Ceramic collection pushes toward the top of the range for shoppers who want added detail and complexity, while sunglasses and jewelry offer lower-cost ways to pick up the brand’s aesthetic. The two-year warranty and free returns add meaningful value on top of an already competitive price point, and frequent sitewide promotions make it easy to pick up a second watch or a complementary accessory at the same time.
Verdict
More than a decade after two twenty-somethings crowdfunded their first collection, MVMT has become proof that minimalist, California-inspired design and genuine value can coexist, now backed by the manufacturing muscle of an established watch group.
