I.W.C Schaffhausen
This simple but aspirational name was coined by an American, Florentine Ariato Jones in 1869. IWC is located in Schaffhausen on the River Rhine in German -Switzerland. Without doubt an under-the-radar brand (IWC for short) is not well known to the public but revered by the horological world. This situation is best summarised by the saying; if you want to impress your car mechanic-tell them you have bought a Rolex, ‘if you wish to impress your watchmaker tell them you bought an IWC!’.
In the period 1946-1965 IWC produced some of its finest work and watch collectors agree that the hand-wound watches with the calibre 88 and 89 are works of art. My collection currently includes fine examples of these very watches essential to any serious collection of Swiss watches.
ITEM 1, IWC-9 carat gold, caliber 89, 1957.
A beautifully elegant and classic IWC dress-watch. The serial number dates the watch to 1957. The pearlescent dial is in excellent condition with 14 carat applied arrows and alternating ‘Explorer style’ Arabic numerals. The 9 carat gold case and bezel is 36mm excl’ crown with a bubble-back case in very good condition. The military-grade caliber 89 is generally held to be one of the great watch movements of the 20th century designed to meet the rigorous specifications of the the British Ministry of Defence. With a power reserve of c38 hours and f = 18000 A/h the highly finished movement includes a breguet hairspring and ruby jewels set in brass chantons which are only then then screwed in to the movement plate. A truly stunning and timepiece and the preferred choice of the Prince of Wales no less! A highly collectible and desirable brand and priced accordingly.
Price £1550 ono.
Item 2. IWC-solid (14 carat) gold.
An understated and typically restrained dress-watch from IWC. The 14 carat gold case and bezel is 36mm excl’ crown. The dial shows some ageing patina but is otherwise in good condition with applied 14 carat gold arrows and Arabic numerals at the cardinal points. The bezel and case are in good unpolished condition. This IWC is driven by the legendary calibre 89 movement with a power reserve of c38 hours and f = 18000 A/h.
SOLD
item 3. IWC-Schaffhausen solid (18 carat) gold. A beautifully elegant and classic IWC dress-watch. The serial number of 1138828 dates the watch to 1946.
Price SOLD.
Item 1a - calibre 89 movement showing the stunning ‘Geneva wave’ finish on the bridges.
ITEM 1b - inside case-back with serial number, 18 carat gold mark, and service markings.