VARIOUS PROPERTIES

IWC. A rare and unusual silver openface keyless lever deck watch with original mahogany display box

SIGNED INTERNATIONAL WATCH CO., SCHAFFHAUSEN, HEURE EXACTE, MOVEMENT NO. 793'669, CASE NO. 939'701, CIRCA 1924

Details

IWC. A rare and unusual silver openface keyless lever deck watch with original mahogany display box
Signed International Watch Co., Schaffhausen, Heure Exacte, movement no. 793'669, case no. 939'701, circa 1924
With three quarter plate nickel-finished lever movement, 18 jewels, bimetallic compensation balance with gold screws, the white enamel dial with Arabic numerals, blued steel spade hands, subsidiary seconds, in large circular case with screw bezel and screw back, large ball-form crown, in IWC original fitted mahogany presentation box, the inside cover with a gilt metal plaque with engraved blackened inscription Chronomètre International Watch Co., Schaffhouse, Suisse, Heure Exacte, case, dial and movement signed
68 mm. diam., box 170 x 140 x 70 mm.

Lot Essay

According to the records of IWC Schaffhausen, the present watch was sold in November 1931 to a retailer in Zurich.

Its movement is part of a series of 600 examples numbered 793'601-794'200 and produced as of 1924. The archives do not mention a specific caliber designation but the remark "réglage spécial" or "special adjustment".

It is thought that less than 20 examples of these display watches were made and sold to IWC's retailers until around 1942. This would also explain the large difference between the movement and case numbers, e.g. movement 793'669 and case 939'701.

A similar watch is described and illustrated in IWC-Uhren - Die "Schaffhauser" und ihre Geschichte by Reinhard Meis, pp. 146 & 147.

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