THE ESSENTIALS

MAKE: IWC
MODEL: CAL.89
YEAR: 1948
CASE DIAMETER: 36MM
CASE MATERIAL: 18K YELLOW GOLD
BRACELET MATERIAL: LEATHER
MOVEMENT: MANUAL WIND

In 1944, IWC appointed Albert Pellaton as its new Technical Director. As the war drew to a close, the mindset in watchmaking shifted toward optimism and innovation. The Cal.89 series dress watch was born in 1946 and remained in production for nearly three decades. While many mid-century dress watches typically featured cases ranging from 31–34 mm (with anything above 35 mm often dubbed a “Jumbo”), these Cal.89 models were ahead of their time, most commonly measuring between 35 and 36.5 mm.

The present example dates back to the very beginning of the model's production in 1948. It features a 36 mm stepped case in full 18k yellow gold and beautiful “spider” lugs that still hint at Art Deco design. The dial has aged to a gorgeous creamy hue with an even patina, beautifully captured by Jake.