Marvin MSR Automatic Day-Date 'TV Screen' Ref. 5802
Lifestyle/Dress Watch (TV Dial) · Marvin (MSR Group). Historically an independent Swiss brand, later part of the MSR conglomerate alongside marcas like Revue Thommen and Vulcain.
Period: Vintage 1970s (Space Age/Modernist). The 'TV screen' case geometry and integrated design language are hallmarks of mid-to-late 70s horological fashion.
Type
Lifestyle/Dress Watch (TV Dial)
Brand
Marvin (MSR Group). Historically an independent Swiss brand, later part of the MSR conglomerate alongside marcas like Revue Thommen and Vulcain.
Movement
Mechanical Automatic. Likely houses an MSR (Manufactures d'Horlogerie Suisses Réunies) Caliber or an ETA 2834/2836 variant; featuring 21,600 or 28,800 bph, approximately 40-hour power reserve.
Dimensions
36mm width (excluding crown), 38mm length, 12mm thickness, 20mm lug width. Wears larger due to the square footprint.
Description
A quintessential 1970s 'TV Dial' watch that encapsulates the era's fascination with television screens and modular geometric shapes. The Marvin MSR stands out with its architectural layered dial and bold, brush-finished steel case. It represents the transition of Marvin from an independent house to part of the MSR group, reflecting the industrialization of Swiss watchmaking in response to the Quartz Crisis.
Key Features
Layered 'stadium' dial construction, MSR stylized crown logo at 12, high-contrast day-date wheel, and the distinctive rounded-square case shape.
Dial Description
Two-tone silver/grey sunburst dial. Raised outer chapter ring with vertical striations, applied block indices with black inserts, baton hands with central lume strips, and a day-date window at 3 o'clock.
Case Material
Stainless Steel with a vertically brushed finish on the top surface and polished case flanks.
Crystal Type
Flat Mineral Glass or Acrylic (box style), recessed within the bezel for protection.
Bezel Details
Integrated fixed bezel, part of the monobloc upper case design, featuring a heavy vertical brush finish.
Crown & Pushers
Standard push-pull crown at 3 o'clock, steel, unsigned or featuring the Marvin 'M' or crown logo.
Bracelet or Strap
Pictured on a black alligator-pattern leather strap with a steel pin buckle. Originally may have been offered on a 70s-style integrated link bracelet.
Caseback Details
Solid stainless steel, screw-down type, likely engraved with the MSR logo, reference number, and 'Water Resistant - Swiss Made'.
Movement Type
Mechanical Automatic. Likely houses an MSR (Manufactures d'Horlogerie Suisses Réunies) Caliber or an ETA 2834/2836 variant; featuring 21,600 or 28,800 bph, approximately 40-hour power reserve.
Water Resistance
Vintage rating (likely 3ATM/30m). Should currently be considered non-water resistant due to age-related gasket degradation.
Origin & Provenance
Swiss Made. Manufactured in the Jura region of Switzerland during the MSR era.
Age Estimate
Circa 1970–1979 based on the MSR branding logo (the stylized Crown/M) and the TV dial morphology.
Cultural Significance
The TV Screen watch is a relic of 70s pop culture aesthetics, influenced by the burgeoning space age and the ubiquity of household electronics. It represents a bold departure from traditional round dress watches.
Condition Notes
Very Good. The brushing on the case remains sharp, though there are minor hairline scratches. The dial shows no signs of 'spotting' or moisture damage. The day-date wheel is clean.
Value Estimate
$350 - $650 USD depending on movement health and whether the original bracelet is present.
Care & Maintenance
Service every 5-7 years to ensure gasket integrity and lubrication. Avoid water contact due to the age of the seals. Store in a dry environment.
Similar Watches
Omega Constellation 'TV Dial', Seiko 6309-5030, Zenith Respirator, or Longines Admiral HF. The Marvin offers a similar look to the Omega at a more accessible entry-level vintage price point.
Interesting Facts
Marvin was a favorite brand of Che Guevara; however, this specific 1970s era represents the brand's pivot toward avant-garde industrial designs to compete with the emerging Japanese quartz aesthetic.