Ladies IWC Ref.4450 18ct 1973

IWC

It is said that owning a vintage IWC is something everyone with a serious interest in vintage watches should aspire to. A strong statement perhaps, but a little time spent researching IWC and their ’50s & ’60s watches, will very likely lead one to the same conclusion. In essence, this is because during the 1950s and 1960s, IWC determined they would manufacture some of the very best watches ever made and quite simply, this is what they achieved! The craftsmanship, technical excellence and sheer beauty of their exquisite movements and cases, manufactured during the ‘golden age’ of watch-making, has never been beaten – perhaps equalled occasionally, but never beaten!

An IWC is often referred to as a ‘watchmaker’s watch’. This is simply because watchmakers love them, both to work on and to own. This is due to the design, technical excellence and in particular, the sheer beauty of their watch movements.

Description

This incredible ladies IWC Reference 4450 is beautifully clean and elegant. The watch is original, unrestored and untouched and remains in tip-top condition. It has an incredible 18ct yellow gold case and its very high grade Cal.320-1 automatic movement is considered to be one of the very best automatic movements produced.

This watch is simply stunning, the dial is very clear, simple and easy to read. The case is wonderful in 18ct yellow gold and carries beautiful, large articulated lugs. All of these wonderful features are completed by the original IWC signed yellow gold bracelet which has a double deployant clasp.

The Dial

The original, unrestored and untouched white dial is classic IWC from this period. Clean, understated and elegant. All the things we are accustomed to with this great brand. The wonderful dial carries gilt ‘baton’ numerals which are swept by the original ‘stick’ hands, all of which complete with a date window at 3. Simple, yet stunning.

This dial is simply signed with ‘IWC’ and ‘Schaffhausen’ at the very top of the dial below 12 along with ‘Automatic’ on the bottom half of the dial above 6 and ‘Swiss’ at the very bottom of the dial below 6.

As this dial is in original, unrestored condition, this has been left untouched by our restoration team due to its superb condition. Usually, we restore the dials of the watches we sell, however we decided in this case to leave it alone, due to its unusually good condition and to retain its originality and charm for those who prefer this. It also helps to contrast with almost all of the other watch dials you see on our website, which have been restored. The hands, likewise, have also been left in their original untouched condition.

Please note, studio lights, professional-grade digital cameras, and macro lenses can be very unkind to an unrestored vintage watch dial. Also the dial here measures less than 1.25 inches across, so the image you’re seeing may be between 5 – 25 times larger than the watch itself. Therefore please keep in mind you are seeing many tiny flaws which cannot be seen, or will be very hard to see with the naked eye, even under close examination. Suffice to say, on the wrist, in natural light, this dial looks much better and carries a great deal more charm than the photographs portray.

The Movement

The super high grade calibre 320-1, 19 jewel automatic movement is in incredibly clean and sparkling condition and has just been fully overhauled and serviced by our expert vintage IWC specialist watchmaker.

The example here is running perfectly, having been calibrated to run consistently within plus or minus 12 seconds per day! This is truly outstanding for any mechanical watch of this age and has been checked and confirmed on our electronic watch timegrapher. This movement carries an incredible 120 hours power reserve.

The movement is simply signed ‘IWC’ along with the calibre 320-1, ‘19 Jewels’ and carries the serial number 2411091, which dates this watch correctly to 1973.

This particular movement is in beautiful condition and with regular servicing, say every 3 to 4 years, we would fully expect this watch to continue to run very happily for at least another 50+ years! We are therefore totally confident in offering this watch with our 12 months written warranty*.

*Please note – our 12 months’ warranty is only applicable if the list price is paid.

The Case

This original, 18ct yellow gold case measures 26mm, excluding the correct screw-down crown and matches perfectly with the fully original white dial. This case carries the beautiful square lugs which flow into the original IWC bracelet perfectly. This watch is a good weight and weighs 60 grams including the bracelet.

On the inside of the case-back, the watch is signed with ‘International Watch Co’ and carries 18ct hallmarks along with the case reference number 4450 and the case serial number 2390756.

The case is in superb condition, indicating the watch has only seen occasional careful use. Only under very close examination can some of the smallest marks be found, commensurate with the age of this piece.

Please note – as ever, our standard advice applies: Vintage watches should be kept clean and dry at all times.

The Bracelet

The watch is fitted with its original 18ct yellow gold, IWC signed bracelet. It is designed for an average size ladies wrist and measures 16.5cm or 6½ inches.

Box and Papers

Although there are no original papers with this watch, the reference numbers, markings, signatures and hallmarks are all correct, dating this watch to 1973.

Detailed particulars will be included with our purchase receipt for your interest and security. A separate insurance valuation for the replacement value of this watch will also be provided at the time of sale along with our unique ‘Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee’ which states: “If this watch proves to be anything less than 100% genuine, authentic and original, a full refund will be given at any time”.

The original IWC presentation box shown in the photographs is included with the sale of this watch.

Payment and Delivery

If you would like to pay by bank transfer, we will be pleased to assist you with this. Similarly, if you wish to pay by International SWIFT or Bank Wire Transfer we will provide you with our BIC / Swift number and our IBAN number.

Please check the import duties and any taxes your government may apply, these are different for each country and, unfortunately, out of our control.

We understand there may be some ‘loopholes’ that may help you avoid these charges; however, attempting to use these could impact our ongoing ability to serve our growing international customer base.

For those who happen to visit London on occasion, we are, of course, more than happy to store your watch until we can meet you in our offices in Kensington, London, and hand your watch directly to you there.

As with all our watches, this watch will be sold under our 14 days no-quibble sale or return policy.

In Conclusion

This is a simply wonderful vintage yellow gold ladies IWC cocktail watch in wonderful condition and one we feel is much more stylish than the modern equivalent. Even though it is almost 100 years old, it is still completely reliable and practical to wear either as your everyday watch should you wish or just for special occasions. Most of all it is a thing of beauty – some may say a ‘work of art’ from one of the most prestigious names in Swiss watch-making. However you wish to view it, this time-piece will make an excellent investment and heirloom piece, as well as be something to treasure, use and enjoy. As each year goes by and the world market for vintage gold watches grows ever larger, the limited supply allied to high demand means prices will climb ever higher!

A word on our prices – We always try our hardest to acquire the very highest quality watches we can find, before restoring them to the highest possible standards. We then offer these at the fairest prices we can, taking into account our pre and post-sales care and service. This approach means we will never be the cheapest, but nor will we be the most expensive. Indeed there are some well-known stores in West London which are highly successful charging between two to three times the price you see here. We, therefore, consider our prices to be fair, given the quality of watches we have to offer.

Please note, we also welcome part exchanges. If you have a watch or a small collection for sale, please contact us as we will be happy to discuss this.

We will also be happy to Service your watch, Repair your watch or Restore your watch, all at ‘sensible’ prices. Please see here.

If you have any questions please call us on 020 7727 7095 or if calling from overseas on +44 207 727 7095.

Please take a look at our other fine vintage gold watches.