Vintage IWC Watch — Steel Caliber 88 Hand-Wound (1946)
Only 1 available
Payment by bank transfer: -3%
Shipping from Europe — taxes and customs duties are the buyer's responsibility outside the EU
Lifetime authenticity guarantee
Serviced movement & 1 year warranty
International shipping
Photo taken on a 17.5 cm wrist
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IWC Schaffhausen — Dress watch from 1946 with the legendary calibre 88
This vintage IWC watch embodies the classicism of dress watches from the immediate post-war era. Produced in 1946 by the IWC Schaffhausen manufacture, it houses one of the most respected movements in the brand’s history: the calibre 88 with hand-wound movement. Its steel case in a Calatrava style — round, refined, with slender lugs — makes it a sober and timeless dress watch, sought after by enthusiasts of historical pieces.
The patina cream dial is fitted with applied baton hour markers, dauphine hands and a small seconds at 6 o’clock, in the purest tradition of 1940s dress horology. The International Watch Co. Schaffhausen signature in cursive script recalls the discreet elegance of the era. Every trace of time bears witness to the authenticity of the piece and its journey.
The calibre 88 deserves closer attention: it is the small-seconds version of calibre 89, developed in the early 1940s by Albert Pellaton, IWC’s horological genius (inventor of the winding system that bears his name), to the exacting specifications of the British Ministry of Defence. Each movement underwent a 44-day test, in five positions, at temperatures ranging from -5°C to +46°C. Many consider it one of the greatest hand-wound movements of the 20th century.
A vintage IWC watch of true collector interest, conceived for the watch connoisseur in search of a historical men’s mechanical watch signed by a great manufacture. Selected piece, authenticated and serviced by Atelier Victor. Fast and secure worldwide shipping.
Three points to note about this piece
- Hand-wound IWC calibre 88, signed Albert Pellaton: one of the greatest manual movements of the 20th century, designed to British military standards.
- Case steel case in a Calatrava style from 1946: round, refined dress watch with small seconds and slender lugs, in the finest dress watch tradition.
- Authentic collector’s piece from IWC Schaffhausen: original patina cream dial, a testament to a great Swiss manufacture.
See our other vintage IWC watches → | See our exceptional watches →
Technical specifications
- Brand: IWC (International Watch Co.) Schaffhausen
- Model: Dress watch style Calatrava
- Estimated year: 1946
- Origin: Switzerland (Swiss Made)
- Gender: Men (Unisex size)
- Movement: Manual (IWC 88 calibre)
- Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds at 6 o’clock
- Case: Steel, round shape
- Case back: Steel
- Dimensions: 32mm (34mm with crown)
- Lug to lug: 36.4mm
- Thickness: 9.7mm (Crystal included)
- Lug width: 18mm
- Crown: Steel
- Dial: Patina cream, applied baton indexes, small seconds at 6 o'clock, original
- Hands: Dauphine, original
- Crystal: Plexiglass, good condition (7/10)
- Bracelet: Black woven, non-original (fixed lugs, upper lug restored)
Condition and warranty
- Overall condition: Good state of preservation for a 1946 piece. Original cream dial showing patina and oxidation marks consistent with its age (visible in the photos), steel case well preserved, Crystal plexi in good condition (7/10).
- Water resistance: Not guaranteed (vintage watch)
- Authenticity: Lifetime guarantee
- Movement: Calibre 88 movement serviced, 1-year warranty
- Included: Atelier Victor invoice, protective case
- Not included: Original box and papers
Frequently asked questions
-
What is the IWC 88 calibre?
It is one of the most respected hand-wound movements of the 20th century. The small-seconds version of the calibre 89, it was developed in the early 1940s by Albert Pellaton, the legendary IWC technician, according to the specifications of the British Ministry of Defence. Each movement was tested for 44 days, in five positions, from -5°C to +46°C. -
What is a Calatrava-style watch?
The term refers to a round, understated dress watch with a legible dial and slender lugs — a style that has become a benchmark in classical watchmaking. This 1946 IWC is a perfect illustration: sober, elegant, timeless. -
Is the patina on the dial a flaw?
No, it is a sought-after characteristic on collector's pieces. The dial is original and shows a patina as well as slight oxidation marks consistent with its nearly 80 years, visible in the photos. An original patinated dial is preferred by collectors to a repainted dial, which would diminish the piece's authenticity. -
Does this watch suit a modern wrist?
At 32mm, it corresponds to a classic size of the period — considered large in 1946. It will particularly suit lovers of dress watches in a measured and elegant format, on both men's and women's wrists. -
What is the international delivery time?
Dispatch within 48 hours, worldwide delivery in 3 to 5 days via DHL Express, insurance included.
Mechanical warranty — 1 year
Each watch is inspected by our watchmakers before shipping. In case of a mechanism malfunction during the first year, we cover the repair.
Authenticity warranty — lifetime
If a watch turns out to be non-authentic, we will take it back and refund you in full. Without time limit.
What is not covered
- Exposure to water or humidity
- Shocks, impacts, or vibrations
- Consumable parts (strap, Crystal, crown, pushers)
- Battery replacement (quartz movements)
- Opening or disassembly of the watch by a third party
- Improper use
The accuracy of vintage watches varies according to the model, movement, and year of production. A request for accuracy improvement deemed within acceptable tolerances cannot be covered by the warranty.
Shipping fees
After-sales service is free. Shipping fees outside the United Arab Emirates remain the responsibility of the customer.
Authentication Process
Each watch is examined by our partner watchmakers before being offered for sale: verification of authenticity, checking the conformity of the components, identification of any modification or replacement of original parts.
If any element has been replaced during the life of the watch (dial, hands, crown, Crystal, strap), we systematically indicate it in the product sheet. You buy knowing the exact history of your piece.
Certificate of Authenticity
Your Atelier Victor invoice serves as a certificate of authenticity: it attests to the origin and conformity of the piece, and is covered by our lifetime authenticity guarantee — if a piece sold by Atelier Victor were found to be non-authentic, it would be fully refunded, with no time limit.
We accept several payment methods:
- Bank card (Visa, Mastercard — American Express not accepted)
- Bank transfer (AED, EUR, USD)
- Cryptocurrency (USDT, USDC)
- PayPal
Other currencies accepted upon request. Exchange fees of approximately 3% may apply.
A 3% discount is granted for any payment by bank transfer starting from €1,000.
Does the strap not suit you? Add the strap of your choice to your order: we will fit it to your watch before shipment, at no fitting charge.
International Shipping
Shipped within 48 to 72 business hours by DHL Express or an equivalent carrier depending on the destination. Delivery in 2 to 6 business days. Each shipment is insured and delivered against signature.
- Free delivery from €1,000 of purchase, as well as on the Jewelry Atelier Victor
- Tracking number sent as soon as the shipment is dispatched
- For certain destinations, delivery may be made to a secure collection point in order to guarantee the integrity of the shipment
Pickup in Dubai
Hand delivery by appointment in Downtown, Dubai. Make an appointment.
Taxes and Customs
The shipping origin is indicated on each product sheet. If the delivery country differs from the shipping country, customs duties and taxes may apply upon receipt, at the buyer's expense. In exceptional situations, customs checks may extend the delivery time, regardless of our wishes and those of the carrier.
For full details, please consult our shipping policy.
FINAL SALES
All sales are final: no return, exchange, or cancellation is accepted after order confirmation. Each piece is authenticated, inspected, and described in detail before being offered for sale.
BEFORE PURCHASE
Our advisors remain at your disposal for any questions and can send you additional photographs or videos upon simple request, by email or on WhatsApp.
NON-CONFORMING ITEM
In the exceptional case of an item that does not match its listing, please notify us within 72 hours: it will be eligible for a refund or an exchange. If the parcel shows damage upon delivery, it should be refused or its opening filmed continuously.
For full details, please consult our return policy.
A piece selected by Atelier Victor
Authenticated, checked, and photographed by us. As all sales are final, our team remains available 7 days a week on WhatsApp to answer your questions, share additional photos or a video of the piece in hand — so that your choice can be made with complete peace of mind.
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