International Watch Co. 18K Gold, Manual Wound Cal.88 Sub Seconds, circa 1957

Dealer description — Vintage Watch Specialist

Remarkable Vintage IWC Schaffhausen 18K Gold Rose Dress Watch with Weathered Dial and Calibre 88 Movement Circa 1957 IWC stands for International Watch Company, a Swiss luxury watch manufacturer based in Schaffhausen, Switzerland. IWC is known for producing high-quality and precision-engineered watches, and it has a rich heritage in the watchmaking industry. The company was founded in 1868 by American watchmaker Florentine Ariosto Jones. IWC is particularly renowned for its pilot's watches, Portuguese line, Ingenieur collection, Aquatimer dive watches, and other timepieces known for their craftsmanship and technical innovation. The brand has a strong reputation for blending traditional Swiss watchmaking techniques with modern design and technology. What’s on Offer Here we have an exceptional vintage International Watch Co. Schaffhausen, an 18k gold dress watch dating to the mid-fifties. As pictured the watch dial has become weathered with age but only looks astonishing. Encased in 18 Karat gold this watch has engraved hallmarks that tell us that this particular case was manufactured by Swiss company Châtelain & Witz, fabrique Oréade in the 1950s. The case features unique axehead-like lugs that give it a lovely touch of class. The sub-seconds and hour hands also match the colour of the case continuing the rose gold shine throughout. Only very minor imperfections can be found on this watch such as blemishes and light scratches, it has truly been kept pristine over this long period the only patina is to the dial which is completely normal and uncontrollable, this type of dial is extremely popular in vintage watches and truly gives them character. Inside this watch is the calibre 88 subdial movement, this movement is considered one of the greatest manualy wound movements produced in the 20th century by Albert Pellaton and was originally designed to meet the standards of the British Military.