IWC Cal.88 18K Pink Gold 1951

£3,500

100% Genuine & All Original

Fully Restored, Serviced and Guaranteed

A Beautifully Well Cared for Rarely Used Example

Oversize 37mm Diameter Case, excluding the Crown

High Quality 18ct Pink Gold Case with Bombé Lugs

Very High Grade  Cal.88, 17 Jewels, Manual Movement

Original Yellow Gold ‘Lance’ Hands and Subsidiary Seconds Dial

Simply Stunning Condition From Every Aspect

High Quality Hardwood Presentation Box

VGWL Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee

VGWL 12 Months’ Warranty Included*

High Quality Crocodile Strap and plain Gold Plated Buckle

Free UK Mainland Delivery

£45 Overseas FedEx

Sold 7th Jan '18
VGW Reference: IWC582
Price £3,500

£3,500

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Highly Recommend
The service from Vintage Gold Watches was as per usual Fantastic, the watch arrived when expected and was extremely well packaged as usual. The watch was even nicer than the photos and went straight onto my wrist. Another fantastic acquisition for my growing collection. VGW is the first and so f
Andrew S via Feefo 29/1/2024
Verified Buyer
I have no hesitation in recommending.
From start to finish the service I have received has been excellent. Kirsty has kept me informed all the way and the level of the finished repair to a very old and worn vintage watch was exemplary.
Bryn H via Google Review 23/2/2024
Verified Buyer
Even better in real life
My watch has just arrived and it looks even better in real life! Just wanted to say a massive thank you to John and everyone there for the help you gave me in securing my dream watch. Cannot recommend your company highly enough. Thank you so much. Mike
Mike G via email 29/11/2023
Verified Buyer
New Vacheron
The watch arrived safely together with all its paperwork and looks lovely both on and off the wrist. It is very beautiful and understated. So a definite “yes” from all of us. Happy Christmas to you all Very best wishes Stephen
Stephen R via Email 6/12/2023
Verified Buyer
ABOUT THIS WATCH

Description

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.

The watch case here is quite exceptional, being both oversized at 37mm diameter and having an 18ct Pink Gold case, Bombé lugs, and the subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o’clock. Not to mention, of course, the amazingly good condition, but this is just what lies on the surface. Underneath the hood we find a truly iconic movement, the Cal.88 which has certainly stood the test of time, remaining in production for both civilian and military use for over 40 years!

The Movement

The IWC Calibre.88 subdial movement was introduced concurrently with the IWC Calibre.89 centre second movement, which are otherwise identical. Many consider these the greatest manually wound movements of the 20th century. Originally developed in 1946 by the genius in watchmaking, Albert Pellaton, who designed the 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 temperature from -5° to +46°C. It was produced for military use continuously for over 30 years and became ‘The standard’ for 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. This watch, therefore, winds, sets and runs accurately and reliably within +9 seconds per day, averaged over 5 positions and also has a 44 hour power reserve when fully wound. Please bear in mind this is outstanding for any watch of this age. We are therefore highly confident in offering a 12 months warranty with this watch movement*.

The movement is all signed correctly, ‘International Watch Co’ and ‘Swiss’ with both the Calibre number and the serial number 1283908 which dates this watch to 1951.

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

The Case

The very high quality, oversized 18ct Pink Gold watch case measures 37mm in diameter, excluding the crown. This is exceptionally large for the period and in 18ct Pink Gold, places this watch in a class of its own. The design and craftsmanship here really is something special. The stepped bezel improves the profile and adds character to the watch, making it seem slightly larger than it actually is. The beautifully sculpted swept back bombé lugs have flowing form and significantly elevate the status of the watch. This is all nothing less than pure class.

The high polished full thickness case-back has never been inscribed. 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 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 we find the case is all correctly signed ‘International Watch Co’ ‘Swiss’ with the IWC brand, Swiss Geneva 18K hallmarks and the case serial number 1322658.

The Dial

The rarer calibre 88 movement means this watch carries a subsidiary seconds dial, which makes this watch much more sought after. It is beautifully understated, in slightly off-white with yellow gold hour indices and the original, restored, yellow gold ‘Lance’ hands. The dial is signed with the infinitely more attractive, earlier, International Watch Company, Schaffhausen signature. This is the original dial which has been sympathetically restored to the very highest standards by the best vintage watch dial restorers in the UK.

The Strap and Buckle

The watch is fitted with a new, high quality Lizard skin strap, which suits the watch perfectly and the strap is fitted is with a generic gold plated buckle. 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.

The Box and Papers

Although there are no original papers with this watch, the movement, case numbers and hallmarks all match, dating the watch to 1951. A detailed written receipt, with our written 12 months warranty*, our Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee and a separate Insurance Valuation for the replacement value will be provided at the time of sale.

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

In Conclusion

This is a truly exceptional example of a 1951 IWC 18ct 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 to treasure and enjoy!

A word about our prices – We always try our hardest to acquire the very highest quality watches we can find, before restoring them to the highest possible standards. We then offer these at the fairest prices we can, taking into account our pre and post sales care and service. This approach means we will never be the cheapest, but nor will we be the most expensive. Indeed there are some well known stores in West London which are very successful, charging between two to three times the price you see here. We therefore consider our prices to be very fair, given the quality of watches we have to offer.

We are happy to accept PayPal as this is the quickest method of payment. However, if you would like to pay by UK cheque or by UK bank transfer we will be pleased to assist you with this and pass on a 3% transaction saving to you. 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 note, we welcome part exchanges, along with outright purchases of similar watches for us to restore, service and list. We can also offer Watch Service, Watch Repair & Watch Restoration, please see here.

If you have any questions please call 020 7727 7095 or 07515 949 250 or +44 7515949250 if calling from overseas.

We are here, ready, available and awaiting your call!

Finally, please enjoy some time spent viewing our other fine Vintage Gold Watches!

Thank you.

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