Vintage IWC Schaffhausen Calibre 88 9ct Yellow Gold Wristwatch | 1953/54

Vintage IWC Schaffhausen Calibre 88 9ct Yellow Gold Wristwatch | 1953/54

A beautifully preserved example of mid-century Swiss watchmaking, this IWC Schaffhausen gentleman’s wristwatch pairs one of the manufacture’s celebrated hand-wound movements with a solid 9ct yellow gold British-made case.

At its heart is the IWC Calibre 88, an 18-jewel manually wound movement produced as the subsidiary-seconds counterpart to the renowned Calibre 89. The movement is signed International Watch Co. Swiss and presents exceptionally well for its age.

The warm champagne dial has developed a wonderful, entirely individual patina over more than seven decades, complemented by Arabic numerals, elegant hands and a subsidiary seconds dial at six o’clock. We have deliberately left the dial untouched, preserving the character acquired throughout its lifetime.

The solid 9ct yellow gold case bears London hallmarks for 1953/54 and the maker’s mark for D. Shackman & Sons, the respected British case manufacturer responsible for casing a number of Swiss watches for the UK market during this period.

Perhaps most compelling is the original presentation engraving to the case back, dated March 1957, commemorating 28 years of service. Rather than detracting from the watch, it gives this particular IWC something impossible to reproduce: a tangible connection to the person who owned it more than half a century ago.

A fine example of the understated dress watches for which mid-century IWC became renowned — beautifully proportioned, mechanically significant and carrying a story all its own.

Specifications

Manufacturer: International Watch Co. (IWC), Schaffhausen
Movement: IWC Calibre 88
Winding: Manual
Jewels: 18
Case: Solid 9ct yellow gold
Case maker: D. Shackman & Sons
Hallmark: London, 1953/54
Dial: Champagne with Arabic numerals
Seconds: Subsidiary dial at 6 o’clock
Movement serial: 1,253,236
Case back: Original presentation engraving dated March 1957
Strap: Brown genuine leather
Period: Mid-20th century

Please note: As a vintage timepiece over 70 years old, the watch displays age-related wear and patination consistent with its history. These characteristics form part of its originality and individual character.