IWC

IWC Cal.89 9ct 1948

100% Genuine & All Original Fully Inspected, Serviced and Guaranteed All in Absolutely Top Grade & Simply Stunning Condition A Beautifully Well Cared for & Completely Original Example Very High Grade Calibre 89, 17 Jewel Hand-Wound Movement Large Size 34mm Case, Excluding the Correct Unsigned Crown High Quality 9ct Yellow Gold IWC Swiss Made Three-Piece Case Original, Unrestored and Untouched ‘Freckle’ Effect Silver-White Dial High Quality Black Leather Strap with Plain Gold-Plated Buckle High Quality Hardwood Presentation Box Included VGWL 12 Months’ Written Warranty Included * VGWL Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee Free Worldwide FedEx Delivery Free UK Special Delivery 100% Genuine & All Original Fully Inspected, Serviced and Guaranteed All in Absolutely Top Grade & Simply Stunning Condition A Beautifully Well Cared for & Completely Original Example Very High Grade Calibre 89, 17 Jewel Hand-Wound Movement Large Size 34mm Case, Excluding the Correct Unsigned Crown High Quality 9ct Yellow Gold IWC Swiss Made Three-Piece Case Original, Unrestored and Untouched ‘Freckle’ Effect Silver-White Dial High Quality Black Leather Strap with Plain Gold-Plated Buckle High Quality Hardwood Presentation Box Included VGWL 12 Months’ Written Warranty Included * VGWL Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee Free Worldwide FedEx Delivery Free UK Special Delivery IWC It is 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 ’50s & ’60s watches, will very likely lead one to the same conclusion. In essence, this is because during the 1950s and 1960s, IWC determined they would manufacture some of the very best watches ever made and quite simply, this is what they 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 in particular, the sheer beauty of their watch movements. Description The watch we see here is beautifully simple, elegant and unique with the freckle effect dial. This watch is original, unrestored and untouched and remains in simply stunning condition. It carries an incredible 9ct yellow gold, 34mm case and the Cal.89 movement within is considered to be one of the very best hand-wound movements of its time. Key Points 100% Genuine & All Original, Fully Inspected, Serviced and Guaranteed, All in Absolutely Top Grade & Simply Stunning Condition, A Beautifully Well Cared for & Completely Original Example, Very High Grade Calibre 89, 17 Jewel Hand-Wound Movement, Large Size 34mm Case, Excluding the Correct Unsigned Crown, High Quality 9ct Yellow Gold IWC Swiss Made Three-Piece Case, Original, Unrestored and Untouched ‘Freckle’ Effect Silver-White Dial, High Quality Black Leather Strap with Plain Gold-Plated Buckle, High Quality Hardwood Presentation Box Included, VGWL 12 Months’ Written Warranty Included *, VGWL Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee, Free Worldwide FedEx Delivery, Free UK Special Delivery The Dial The style of the dial is typically vintage IWC of this period. Clean, simple, elegant and totally understated. All the things we are accustomed to with IWC. This is the classic and simple IWC dial which the company became known by, and which has become almost a trademark in itself. This beautifully understated, original, unrestored and untouched off-white dial carries gilt ‘stud’ hour indices along with ‘3 – 6 – 9 – 12’ numerals and the original, unrestored gilt ‘index’ hands. As mentioned above, the dial has a wonderful, unique patina with some very even spotting which gives the dial this beautiful ‘freckle’ effect. The dial carries the infinitely more attractive, early ‘International Watch Company Schaffhausen’ signature. The dial has a great deal of appeal due to its classic signs of ageing and very even patina, including some beautiful golden brown fading and even spotting across the dial. Due to its relatively good condition and for reasons of retaining the character and the originality of the watch, we have left it completely alone. If however, you would prefer the dial sympathetically restoring, we will be happy to arrange this for you without any extra charge. Please note, studio lights, professional-grade digital cameras, and macro lenses can be very unkind to an unrestored vintage watch dial. Also the dial here measures less than 1.25 inches across, so the image you’re seeing may be between 5 – 25 times larger than the watch itself. Therefore please keep in mind you are seeing many tiny flaws which cannot be seen, or will be very hard to see with the naked eye, even under close examination. Suffice to say, on the wrist, in natural light, this dial looks much better and carries a great deal more charm than the photographs portray. The Movement Many consider the IWC Calibre 89 to be one of the great hand-wound movements of the 20th century. This movement was originally developed in 1946 by the genius of 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 a a range of temperature from -5° to +46° C. It was produced for military use, continuously for over 30 years and became ‘The standard’ for all military-grade timepieces. The movement also became an IWC mainstay for the commercial market, remaining in production until the mid-1990s. We have already touched on the craftsmanship and sheer beauty of IWC movements. Some examples of the extra care and attention are 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. This is the kind of detail which sets IWC apart. The movement has been fully overhauled by a Master Watchmaker. This means stripping the watch down to all 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. The watch winds, sets and runs accurately and reliably within +8 seconds per day, averaged over 5 positions which is outstanding for any watch of this age. We are therefore highly confident in offering a 1-year warranty with this watch movement. The movement is correctly signed ‘International Watch Co’ and ‘Swiss’ and carries the Calibre number 89 and the movement serial number 1138471, dating this watch to 1948. *Please note – our 12 months warranty is only included if the list price is paid. The Case The very high quality 9ct yellow gold watch case measures 34mm in diameter, excluding the correct unsigned crown. The case is of a three-piece design and of very sturdy construction. The press-fit case-back is very strong and fits back with a very solid and reassuring click. It is also of full thickness and has never been engraved. The condition of the watch case is truly icredible, with no scratches, dings or other damage visible to the naked eye and has therefore simply required a professional clean and gentle hand-polish, to bring back the almost new look of the watch. As can be seen, all the edges are as crisp as the day this watch left the factory, which is totally amazing. The case was made for IWC by Dennison in the UK who made watch cases for many of the top Swiss watch manufacturers at this time. Dennison and Sons in Birmingham and Shackman and Sons in London, both produced top quality cases for almost all of the watch brands you see on this website. As this case was made by Dennison & Co it is of exceptional quality. The inside of this case back is signed with 'Baume Made in england', 'A.L.D' and the case serial number 13322 and 182730, along with the 9ct Birmingham hallmarks which date this watch correcly t0 1948. As always, our standard advice applies: Vintage Watches should be kept clean and dry at all times. The Strap and Buckle The strap fitted is a high quality black leather strap, with a plain gold-plated buckle which we feel contrasts nicely with the watch. However, if a different colour or style of strap is preferred, please let us know and we will do our best to oblige free of charge. We carry tan, conker, dark brown and black in stock, in plain padded leather, crocodile skin or lizard skin, but can also obtain most types and colours of strap from our partners at ‘Watch Obsession’ within 48hrs. Please take a look at their huge range of straps if you wish, here. Box and Papers Although there are no original papers with this watch, the reference numbers, markings, signatures and hallmarks are all correct, dating this watch to 1948. Detailed particulars will be included with our purchase receipt for your interest and security. A separate insurance valuation for the replacement value of this watch will also be provided, along with our unique ‘Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee’ which states: “If this watch proves to be anything less than 100% genuine, authentic and original, a full refund will be given at any time”. This watch comes complete with a high quality hardwood presentation box as shown in the photographs. Payment and Delivery If you would like to pay by bank transfer, we will be pleased to assist you with this and pass on a 3% saving to you. Paying by bank transfer for a 3% saving will not affect your 12 months warranty. Similarly, if you wish to pay by International SWIFT or Bank Wire Transfer we will provide you with our BIC / Swift number and our IBAN number. Please check the import duties and any taxes your government may apply, these are different for each country and, unfortunately, out of our control. We understand there may be some ‘loopholes’ that may help you avoid these charges; however, attempting to use these could impact our ongoing ability to serve our growing international customer base. For those who happen to visit London on occasion, we are, of course, more than happy to store your watch until we can meet you in our offices in Kensington, London, and hand your watch directly to you there. As with all our watches, this watch will be sold under our 14 days no-quibble sale or return policy. In Conclusion This beautiful 1948 vintage IWC is in superb condition, ready for use and completely practical and wearable today. It represents excellent value for money especially in such superb condition and is a highly desirable vintage gold watch from one of horology’s most respected names which will provide an excellent investment as well as be something to treasure and enjoy!