1950s 18ct gold large vintage IWC (International Watch Co.) watch (4555)

£3,225.00

Date:           1951

Case:            18ct gold, 36.5mm

Movement: Calibre 89

Dial:             Champagne, Baton indicators

Lugs:            18mm

A large 18ct gold watch from IWC, with a fabulous calibre 89 movement!

A 1951, 18ct gold large vintage IWC (International Watch Company) watch. The case measures 36.5mm in diameter with 18mm lugs. The case is signed International Watch Co., Swiss, marked 18k gold and numbered. The calibre 89 manual wind, movement is signed International Watch Co., Swiss, numbered, with 17 jewels. The champagne dial, with original patina, has raised gilt batons, with centre sweep seconds and fine gilt hands. The dial is signed International Watch Co., Schaffhausen above the centre.

IWC Cal 89

During 1944 Albert Pellaton took up his post as technical director of IWC, he was also the inventor of IWC’s Pellaton winding system, which remains in use to this day. In 1946 Pellaton’s first movement was designed, the calibre 89.

There are three qualities that must be looked for in a watch movement, simple, robust, and reliable. The calibre 89, produced from 1946 to 1979 has all three! The bridges and cocks have been built with rigidity and strength in mind, showcasing function and form. They feature hefty steady pins to secure the bridges into the plate. The bridges are robust. Calibre 89 also featured Incabloc shock protection for the balance in all but the earliest models, ensuring that the ever-precious balance pivots remain intact.

The calibre 89 was launched into production in 1948 in the IWC Mark XI, a legendary pilot’s watch ordered by the British Ministry of Defence. It was also used in the original Yacht Club and other various dress watches.

“All in all, the the mid-century dress watches that IWC designed around their magnificent manually-wound movement are everything but ordinary. They combine the reliability of a watch made for the trenches and top-of-the-class finishing with timeless elegance – potentially the ultimate everyday dress-watch.

That’s why the IWC Cal. 89 is a pivotal piece. Not because of rarity, hype or a shameless drive to be different for difference sake. It is pivotal because it is a classic dress watch with an unnecessarily tough movement.”