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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Manual-wind wristwatch

IWC Calibre 88 Oversized Wristwatch

Partially verified

This IWC wristwatch features an oversized 37 mm yellow 18k gold case with a snap-back design and sculpted lugs. The silver-colored dial is configured with applied Arabic numerals, boat-shaped hour markers, and gold hands, with a running-seconds sub-dial positioned at the six o'clock mark. The perimeter of the dial includes a dotted minute track, with the maker's signature, "International Watch Co. SCHAFFHAUSEN", positioned below the 12 o'clock numeral. The watch is powered by a hand-wound IWC Calibre 88 movement. The piece is accompanied by a modern Bulang & Sons leather strap and buckle. The vendor states that the watch was recently serviced by their watchmaker. The case serial number 126xxxx is associated with a date of manufacture during the 1950s.

Front view of the IWC 37 mm gold wristwatch with brown leather strap.
Front view of the IWC 37 mm gold wristwatch with brown leather strap. — Bulang & Sons. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.bulangandsons.com
Category
Wristwatch · Manual-wind wristwatch
Maker / attribution
IWC
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
w3922
Source-reported date
1950s
Source-reported place
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
126xxxx

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case and Dial

The watch is housed in an oversized 37 mm yellow 18k gold case. It is designed with a snap-back case back and features distinctively sculpted lugs, which extend outward from the round case body. The case surface appears polished in the provided imagery.

The dial is finished in silver and lacks luminous material. It is marked with applied Arabic numerals at the cardinal positions and gold-colored, boat-shaped hour indices for the remaining positions. A small sub-dial for running seconds is located at the bottom of the dial, featuring concentric guilloché-style engraving. Surrounding the perimeter is a classic dotted minute track. The dial is signed "International Watch Co. SCHAFFHAUSEN" under the 12 o'clock numeral and "SWISS" at the very bottom edge.

Evidence for this section
  • “37 mm yellow 18kt gold case with snap back case back and sculpted lugs”
  • “Silver dial , no lume applied markers , small sub seconds”
  • “surrounded by the classic dotted minute track and fine IWC Schaffhausen lettering”

Movement and Function

The watch operates using the manual-wind IWC Calibre 88 movement. The movement is accessed via the snap-back case back.

The vendor reports that the movement has recently undergone a full service by their watchmaker to ensure operational readiness. The watch is currently supplied with a non-original leather strap and buckle from Bulang & Sons.

Evidence for this section
  • “Inside sits the legendary IWC hand-wound Calibre 88, recently fully serviced by our watchmaker”
  • “Caliber 88 hand wound movement”
  • “Fully serviced by our watchmaker”

Identification and Provenance

The watch is identified by the vendor as an IWC product. The case bears the serial number 126xxxx, which the vendor attributes to the 1950s. The watch is listed under product identifier w3922.

Beyond the service status, the source does not provide records regarding the original point of sale, specific history, or past ownership of this individual watch.

Evidence for this section
  • “Case serial 126xxxx dating to the 1950’s”
  • “Vendor: IWC”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific production date corresponding to serial number 126xxxx?
  • Are the boat-shaped markers and hands original to this specific case serial range?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for IWC Calibre 88 Oversized Wristwatch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Calibre88“IWC hand-wound Calibre 88”
Case Material18k yellow gold“18k Yellow Gold”
Serial Number126xxxx“Case serial 126xxxx”
Dating1950s“dating to the 1950’s”
Movement TypeHand-wound“hand-wound Calibre 88”
Dial detailsSilver, Arabic numerals, small sub-seconds“Silver dial , no lume applied markers , small sub seconds”

Visible details

  • Applied Arabic numerals at 3, 6, 9, 12 positions
  • Sculpted, extended lugs
  • Guilloché finish on small seconds sub-dial
  • Snap-back case construction

Research qualifications

  • Movement condition beyond the vendor's service claim remains unverified by independent inspection
  • Originality of all dial components, such as hands and indices, is not specified beyond vendor description

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

IWC cal. 88 Oversized 18k Yellow Gold Dresswatch

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record dff2b64383

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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