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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Hunter pocket watch

IWC Ref. 5450 Hunting Case Pocket Watch with Full Calendar and Moon Phase

Partially verified

This 18-karat gold hunting case pocket watch by International Watch Co. Schaffhausen dates to circa 1983. Designated as reference 5450 and housing calibre 9821, the watch is catalogued as number 172 from a limited series of 250 pieces. The white dial presents Roman numerals, blued hands, and four subsidiary displays indicating the day of the week in German, date, month, and moon phase with moon age. The auction house reports a glazed case back revealing a florally hand-engraved bridge movement with lever escapement and Glucydur screw balance.

Dial and open front cover of the IWC Ref. 5450 calendar pocket watch
Dial and open front cover of the IWC Ref. 5450 calendar pocket watch — Auktionen Dr. Crott. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.invaluable.com
Category
Pocket watch · Hunter pocket watch
Maker / attribution
IWC / Intern. Watch Co.
Reference
5450
Catalogue / lot identifier
351
Source-reported date
circa 1983
Source-reported place
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
2181764

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 External Configuration

The timepiece is presented in a 60 mm Savonnette hunting case, crafted from 18-karat gold with a smooth finish. The case configuration features a front cover hinged on the left and a winding stem positioned at 3 o'clock. Correctors are visible along the top perimeter of the case band.

The auction house description notes the inclusion of a glazed case back to reveal the movement. This feature is not visible in the provided image.

Evidence for this section
  • “Dimensions 60 mm”
  • “Case: 18 K gold, smooth, glazed movement.”
  • “Savonnette hunting case configuration with the front cover hinged on the left and winding stem at 3 o'clock.”
  • “Correctors visible along the top perimeter of the case band.”

Dial and Calendar Display

The white dial is signed 'International Watch Co. / SCHAFFHAUSEN' and features printed Roman hour numerals. An outer railway minute track includes five-minute Arabic numerals.

The watch contains four sunken subdials for calendar indications: the day of the week (in German abbreviations) at 9 o'clock, the date at 3 o'clock, the month at 6 o'clock, and a moon phase and age display at 12 o'clock. The starry sky of the moon phase aperture is rendered in goldstone. The time and calendar displays are indicated by blued steel hands, specifically openwork poire-style hands for the time and spade-tipped pointers for the calendar.

Evidence for this section
  • “Dial: White.”
  • “White dial with printed Roman hour numerals, outer railway minute track with five-minute Arabic numerals, and signed 'International Watch Co. / SCHAFFHAUSEN'.”
  • “Four sunken subdials displaying moon phase/age at 12, date at 3, month at 6, and day of the week in German abbreviations at 9 o'clock.”
  • “The starry sky of the moon phase display is made of goldstone.”
  • “Blued steel hands including ornate openwork poire-style hour and minute hands and spade-tipped calendar pointers.”

Movement and Mechanical Status

The watch is powered by IWC Calibre 9821. The bridge movement is hand-engraved with floral relief on both the gilt plate and bridge. The mechanical system features a lever escapement and a Glucydur screw balance.

The auction house reports the movement condition as very good and capable of running, though they recommend the timepiece undergo cleaning.

Evidence for this section
  • “Cal. 9821”
  • “Bridge movement, lavishly florally engraved, lever escapement, Glucydur screw balance.”
  • “The gilt plate and bridge of the movement are hand-engraved with a unique relief engraving.”
  • “Movm.: very good, capable of running, cleaning recommended.”

Open research questions

  • Verify if the reported 1984 sales price of 61,000 German marks corresponds to the original retail market for this reference.
  • Clarify if the movement serial number 172 corresponds to the production batch for the limited series of 250.

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for IWC Ref. 5450 Hunting Case Pocket Watch with Full Calendar and Moon Phase
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Reference5450“Ref. 5450”
Calibre9821“Cal. 9821”
Case Number2181764“Case No. 2181764”
Movement Number172“Movm. No. 172”
Limitation172/250“Limited 172/250”
Case Material18 K gold“Case: 18 K gold”
Dimensions60 mm“Dimensions 60 mm”
Weight280 g“Weight 280 g”
Total Weight280 g“Weight 280 g”
Reported OriginSwitzerland“Origin Schweiz”
Limited Edition172/250“Limited 172/250”

Visible details

  • Savonnette hunting case configuration with the front cover hinged on the left and winding stem at 3 o'clock.
  • White dial with printed Roman hour numerals, outer railway minute track with five-minute Arabic numerals, and signed 'International Watch Co. / SCHAFFHAUSEN'.
  • Four sunken subdials displaying moon phase/age at 12, date at 3, month at 6, and day of the week in German abbreviations at 9 o'clock.
  • Blued steel hands including ornate openwork poire-style hour and minute hands and spade-tipped calendar pointers.
  • Correctors visible along the top perimeter of the case band.

Research qualifications

  • Glazed case back, movement engraving, and the original box mentioned by the auction house are not depicted in the single supplied photograph.
  • Movement condition and mechanical running status are reported by the auction house and not independently verified.

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

Consulted source

At Auction: IWC / Intern. Watch Co. - Mondphase

Reviewed 2026-10-25 · Record 3cd8db48cd

Terms in this record

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

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