Well-Preserved, Elegant 37mm Rose Gold IWC Cal 89

A 37mm sport Rolex would cause standing ovation across all of social media in today’s climate. Yet, set your year back a few decades and 37mm was absolutely massive. This rose gold IWC would have been a behemouth in its period, but a very sexy one. One may observe just how extreme this example varied from the sizing standard by the huge metal spacer simply marked ‘metal’ in its back. I don’t normally enjoy a spacer, but on an ultra-thin snap-back with shark-fin lugs in rose gold, I’ll let it slide.

The calibre 89 powered many extremely gorgeous IWC dress pieces. This piece hails from some point in its 1946 to 1979 production. I’m sure with some legwork you could get a year. The movement was engineering for the British military’s specification, first debuting in the Mark XI. It measured just 27.1mm across and beat at a leisurely 18000 vph. The architecture was intended to be abused and not fail, but after wartime wound up in some more elegant clothes. The shark-fin case this 89 resides in is quite a rare design, one which I think a collector aspiring to Roni Madhvani’s nuance might appreciate.

The example shown today is quite strong. The case shows light surface markings with stout lugs. Its dial is a brilliant white, said to be entirely unrestored. It looks every part a safe queen. The cal 89 shows no problem spots but also has no service history. It comes on an aftermarket 18K RG mesh without documentation.

Find this Cal 89 here from Coin Watch Co for 6380 USD.