IWC "Aquatimer Galapagos" Chronograph Wristwatch, c. 2011 — view 1 of 3 — View 1 of 3 · Image: Antiques & Art International / LiveAuctioneers · original image source (opens another website in a new tab)

View 1 of 3 · Image: Antiques & Art International / LiveAuctioneers · original image source (opens another website in a new tab)

Wristwatches · Wristwatch

IWC "Aquatimer Galapagos" Chronograph Wristwatch, c. 2011

DocumentedDocumented from an auction catalogue; attribution as stated by the auction house.

Maker / attribution: IWC Schaffhausen (maker)
Date: c. 2011
Historical period: Contemporary Horology (2010 – Present)
Country of origin: Switzerland
Object type: Wristwatch
Materials / technique: stainless steel
Auction house: LiveAuctioneers auction archive
Lot: Item 157118595
Credit line: Auction lot record: lot 19, PALM BEACH JEWELRY & SILVER AUCTION!, Antiques & Art International (2023), via LiveAuctioneers
Catalogue title (original): IWC "Aquatimer Galapagos" Chronograph Wristwatch (English)

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Record summary

Catalogued by LiveAuctioneers auction archive (lot Item 157118595), this is a wristwatch by IWC Schaffhausen, made in Switzerland, dated c. 2011. The Atlas places it in the Contemporary Horology period (2010 – Present) of its Wristwatches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: stainless steel. The record is illustrated with 3 photographs.

Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.

Catalogue description

Lot description — Antiques & Art International

IWC "Aquatimer Galapagos" Chronograph Wristwatch. Stainless steel and autoon rubber strap. Special Edition Tribute Wristwatch To The Charles Darwin Foundation Circa 2011. Case: stainless steel with black rubber, black and white luminous uni-directional diving bezel, 3 body, screw down case back, 44 mm, sapphire crystal. Dial: black dial, white luminous indexes, day & date aperture at 3, constant seconds at 9, 30 minute register at 12, 12 hour register at 6, black hands with white luminous center. Movement: cal. 79320, automatic winding, straight line lever escapement, 25 jewels. With original box, as is.

Historical context

Contemporary Horology (2010 – Present)

Silicon components, connected watches, optical-lattice research clocks and a thriving independent scene.

Smartwatches became the world's best-selling watches, while mechanical watchmaking focuses on craft, innovation (silicon components, new escapements) and independent makers.

Read the period in the timeline More wristwatches from this period Earlier: Mechanical Renaissance

Atlas type guide

Chronographs and split-seconds watches

A chronograph is a watch with an additional seconds hand that can be started, stopped and returned to zero independently of the timekeeping. Louis Moinet built an early example in 1816 and Nicolas Rieussec a recording 'chronographe' in 1821; Adolphe Nicole's heart-shaped reset cam (patented 1862) made the modern return-to-zero possible. Split-seconds (rattrapante) chronographs add a second hand that can be stopped for intermediate times; flyback chronographs restart instantly.

Chronographs were essential tools for doctors (pulsometer scales), artillery (telemeter), engineers and sport. In wristwatches, Valjoux, Venus, Lemania and later the automatic chronographs of 1969 (Zenith El Primero, the Chronomatic Calibre 11 group and Seiko 6139) are milestones.

What to look for

Push-pieces on the case band or a single button in the crown (monopusher).
Subsidiary registers for minutes and hours; tachymeter, telemeter or pulsometer scales.
Column wheel versus cam control visible in the movement.
Calibre markings of specialist makers (Valjoux, Lemania, Venus, Landeron).

Dating clues

Pocket chronographs with heart cam reset: after 1862.
Wrist chronographs: from c. 1910; two-button designs from the 1930s.
Automatic chronographs: from 1969.

General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.

Mechanisms mentioned

Detached lever escapement — Escapement
Chronograph — Complication
Jewel bearings — Component
Self-winding (automatic) mechanism — Component

Record completeness

Maker or attributionRecorded
DateRecorded
Place or countryRecorded
MaterialsRecorded
DimensionsNot in source
Narrative descriptionRecorded
Inscriptions / marksNot in source
ProvenanceNot in source
Several photographsRecorded

Editorial status: Documented — facts as published by the source; not independently verified by Atlas editors.

Explore further

Sources & image rights

Record source: LiveAuctioneers auction archive (opens another website in a new tab).

Image rights: © Antiques & Art International / LiveAuctioneers — permission required (opens another website in a new tab).

Images are hosted by the Atlas for study and credited to their owner. Rights holders may request correction, credit changes or removal, or grant permission, via the editorial office.

Cite this record

"IWC "Aquatimer Galapagos" Chronograph Wristwatch, c. 2011." LiveAuctioneers auction archive, Item 157118595. Catalogue record in The Horology Atlas, WatchMuseum.org, https://atlas.watchmuseum.org/museum/iwc-aquatimer-galapagos-chronograph-wristwatch-c97f50.