A gentleman's 18K solid gold manual watch from the International Watch Company (IWC), in excellent overall condition. This model dates 65 years ago to 1954 and houses the cal.89 movement, judged by knowledgeable collectors to be the best manual movement ever manufactured by IWC. The case is extra large for the period, measuring approximately 37 mm in diameter as opposed to the normal 33/34 mm. The dial presents very well indeed and the freshly oiled and adjusted movement is running strongly and keeping time. The watch is fitted with a black vintage genuine alligator calf strap.
When manufactured, this watch was a very expensive connoisseur’s watch made by a low volume elite company with a reputation among aficionados to this day, for producing some of the finest quality watches in the world. The movements in these watches are pure works of art and of a quality which is second to none. To those who have only a passing interest in top quality watches, an IWC watch is not immediately obvious as a high end timepiece but at auctions, hammer prices of IWC models often surpass the levels reached by more well known high end makes. IWC watches are truly remarkable and highly sought after by collectors (who must have at least one) as well people wanting to wear a watch with elegance and understated class. I always keep at least one in my own collection. I have had this one for over two years but have decided to sell it to make way for new additions.
Dial: in excellent condition, signed “International Watch Co. Schaffhausen Swiss”. The hours are marked by gold coloured batons and Arabic numerals. The hands are in good shape and the crystal is clean and clear. The dial has been restored to a high standard, back to as it looked when new.
Case: 18 carat solid gold, measuring approximately 37 mm across, excluding the crown and 44 mm from lug to lug. The inside of the rear cover is signed by IWC and includes the famous circular logo containing the words “IWC Probus Scafusia”. It is also hallmarked as 18K solid gold with a Swiss Assay. The case shows the expected signs of use over the years, but no signs of abuse. All that I could see to point out to you is a small, barely noticeable pressure mark on the back of the case and some tiny pit marks.
Movement: IWC cal. 89 17 jewel mechanism, freshly oiled and adjusted, winding and setting smoothly, running well and keeping time. The cal 89 is a robust reliable power unit, used in most IWC manual watches manufactured during the 1940's/50's. It is signed “International Watch Co. Swiss” with a serial number dating the watch to 1954.
Strap: fitted with a lightly used vintage imperial measurement (3/4") genuine alligator calf strap, which attached to the watch measures approximately 210 mm from buckle tip to last hole.
