Description

100% Genuine & All Original

Fully Restored, Serviced and Guaranteed

A Beautifully Well Cared for & Lightly Used Example

Stunning 1950s IWC Cal.89 in Immaculate Condition

High Quality 9ct Yellow Gold IWC Swiss Made Three-Piece Case

Oversize 34mm Diameter Case, Excluding the Correct IWC Crown

Ivory-Cream Dial With Original ‘Lance’ Hands & ‘Applied Baton’ Hour Indices

Very High Grade Cal.89, 17 Jewels, Immaculate Manual Movement

All in Absolutely Top Grade & Simply Stunning Condition

Brown Calf Leather Strap with Plain Gold Plated Buckle

High Quality Hardwood Presentation Box Included

Description

It’s said that owning a vintage IWC is something everyone with a serious interest in vintage watches should aspire to. A strong statement perhaps, but a little time spent researching IWC and their 1950s & ’60s watches, will very likely lead one to the same conclusion. In essence, this is because, during the 1950s and ’60s, IWC determined they would manufacture some of the very best watches ever made and quite simply, this is what it achieved. The craftsmanship, technical excellence and sheer beauty of their exquisite movements and cases, manufactured during the ‘golden age’ of watch-making, has never been beaten – perhaps equalled occasionally, but never beaten!

An IWC is often referred to as a ‘watchmaker’s watch’. This is simply because watchmakers love them, both to work on and to own. This is due to the design, technical excellence and particularly the sheer beauty of their watch movements.

Description

This IWC sports a truly iconic movement. Designed and built to military specifications, the Cal.89 certainly stood the test of time, remaining in production for both civilian and military use for over 40 years!

The Dial

Vintage IWC watch dials are so distinctive, their style can almost be considered a trademark in itself. Clean and simple, they could not be clearer in their singularity of purpose; Simply to tell the time. This is undoubtedly due to the strong associations IWC had with military timepieces during and after the second world war. The resulting design became an interesting combination of the Bauhaus, and 1950’s military and dress watch style.

This stunning ivory-cream dial is decorated with gilt Baton hour indices, paired with the original, restored, yellow gold ‘Lance’ style hands.

The dial is signed with the infinitely more attractive, early, International Watch Company, Schaffhausen signature.

This is the original dial which has been restored to the very highest standards by our dial restorers, considered to be the best in the UK.

The Movement

Many consider the IWC Cal.89 to be one of the great hand-wound movements of the 20th century. The movement was originally developed in 1946 by the genius in watchmaking, Albert Pellaton, who designed this movement to meet the most demanding and highly rigorous specifications of the British Ministry of Defence. Each movement went through a 44-day testing period in five positions and ranging in temperatures from -5° to +46° C. It was produced for military use, continuously for over 30 years and became ‘The standard’ for the military-grade time-only wristwatch. The movement also became an IWC mainstay for the commercial market, remaining in production until the mid-1990s.

The craftsmanship and sheer beauty of IWC movements is extraordinary. Examples of the extra care and attention taken can be seen in the finishing applied to the bridges or plates, characterised by a series of arc-grained bars etched lightly onto bridges or plates, creating a wave-like effect. This is known as a ‘Geneva Wave’ finish. Furthermore, all the edges of the plates are beautifully bevelled which is very difficult and time-consuming to achieve. Lastly, each of the ruby jewels is set in brass ‘chantons’ which are then screwed into the plates, rather than setting the jewel directly into the plates. These are just the kind of details which set IWC apart.

This movement has been fully overhauled by a Master Watchmaker. This means dismantling the watch down to each of its component parts, careful inspection under high magnification, replacement where necessary with only genuine IWC parts then careful reassembly and adjustment before final calibration in 5 positions. This watch, therefore, winds, sets and runs accurately and reliably, within +13 seconds per day, averaged over 5 positions and also has a 44-hour power reserve when fully wound. Please keep in mind this is outstanding for any watch of this age. We are therefore highly confident in offering 12 months warranty with this watch movement*.

The movement is all correctly signed ‘International Watch Co’ and ‘Swiss’ with both the calibre number and the serial number 1297564 which date this watch to 1952.

*Please note – our 12 months’ warranty is only applicable if the full list price is paid.

The Case

The very high quality, London made 9ct yellow gold watch case measures 34mm in diameter, excluding the crown. This three-piece case is in the typically 1950s style with classic lines, attractive sweeping lugs and a flat rounded edge case-back.

The high polished, full thickness case-back has never been inscribed. This watch has been exceptionally well cared for and the main case body, bezel and case-back are all in beautiful condition with no scratches, dings or other damage visible to the naked eye, therefore after careful inspection, the case has simply required a professional clean and gentle hand-polish, to bring back the almost new look of the watch.

Inside the case-back all the markings are correct and as expected. Here we find the case carries the casemakers signature ‘DS&S’ for David Shackman & Sons, one of the UK’s finest watch case makers used by Rolex, Omega and many of the top brands. The case back also carries London 9ct hallmarks and the reference number 023.

As ever, our standard advice applies: Vintage watches should be kept clean and dry at all times.

The Strap and Buckle

The watch is fitted with a vintage brown calf leather strap and a matching gold plated buckle which we feel suits the watch perfectly. However, if a different colour or different style strap is preferred please let us know and we will do our best to provide your choice, free of charge. We carry tan, conker, dark brown and black in stock in plain padded leather, crocodile skin or lizard skin and can also obtain most types and colours from our partners at ‘Watch Obsession’ within 48hrs. Please take a look at their huge range of 18mm straps if you wish here.

The Box and Papers

Although there are no original papers with this watch, the reference numbers, markings, signatures and hallmarks are all correct and indicate the date of manufacture to 1952. Detailed particulars will be included with the receipt, along with our 12 months’ warranty*. A separate insurance valuation for the replacement value of this watch will also be provided at the time of sale along with our unique ‘Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee’ which states: “If this watch proves to be anything less than totally authentic, or not as described, Vintage Gold Watches of London will offer you a full refund at any time”.

The hardwood presentation box shown in the photographs is included in the sale.

In Conclusion

This is a truly first class example of a late 1950s IWC gentleman’s dress watch which is ready to wear and completely practical for everyday use. If treated with care, it will make an excellent investment and heirloom piece. IWC will always command huge respect in the high-end watch market and consequently, prices are always rock solid. We are therefore sure this will make a great acquisition for any collector to wear, or simply to treasure and enjoy!