Collector's Pocket Watches, Wristwatc...

New York, Grand Havana Room, Dec 06, 2000

LOT 97

International Watch Co., Schaffhausen, Swiss, No. 2332339, Ref. 5502, circa 1976. Np. 028/1000Fine, silver calendar watch with moon phase and engraved movement.

USD 4,000 - 5,000

C. 'demi-bassine', three body 0.925 silver, hinged back cover, silver snap-on detachable glazed cuvette. Polished bezel, engine turned back cover centered by a blank oval cartouche and surmounted by a strap of high relief scrolling foliage decoration over a fine engine turning. D. white matte, Roman numerals, four subdials for days, date, months (concentric with small seconds) and moon phases with a scale for the moon date. 'Breguet' black moon hands. M. 17''' matte nickel plated, cal. 9721 decoated with scrolling engraving. Straight-line lever escapement, Glucydur balance with Gyromax arrangement, self-compensating Breguet balance spring, 19 jewels, micrometer regulator, shock absorbers on both balance pivots, double roller table.Dial and case signed, movement stamped with IWC mark.Diam. 56 mm


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3

Good
Dial: 3

Good

Notes

Gyromax balance, invented by André Zibach, an adjustor and precision timer in Patek Philippe factory, made the life of a timer much easier, allowing precision timing without removing the balance wheel from the movement. In principle, the arrangement consisted of slotted discs friction fitted on posts in the balance rim. Later, some manufacturers mounted only two discs on two posts positioned at the ends of the balance arms. IWC version, as seen in this watch, instead of slotted discs, uses fricton fit asymmetrical screws, which allows the timing using an ordinary screwdriver, unlike in the disc version, which, at least in theory, requires a special tool.