IWC - Phillips Watches Online Auction: The Geneva Sessions Spring 2025 Geneva Wednesday, March 5, 2025 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: IWC
    Year: 1970
    Reference No: 1811
    Case No: 1'884'348
    Model Name: Yacht Club
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 8541, 25 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel pin buckle
    Dimensions: 36.5mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by IWC Certificat confirming production of the present watch and its subsequent delivery on February 23, 1970.

  • Catalogue Essay

    - In 1967, IWC introduced the “Yacht Club” model, a clear move by the company to tap into a new market segment. Designed for a young, dynamic, and sophisticated audience, the model’s name perfectly encapsulates its essence: a timepiece that seamlessly transitions from the refined ambiance of a summer yacht club—champagne in hand, Sardinian sunset in view—to the demands of a rigorous regatta, offering both style and durability.

    - As part of the “Club” family, which also included the Polo Club and Golf Club models, the Yacht Club was by far the most successful, both during its initial release and in its enduring popularity among collectors today.

    - The present timepiece stands as an extra special example of this iconic watch. Research indicates it was delivered in February 1970. While IWC archives do not document dial details, close inspection of the dial—along with the matching tonal design of the date ring—strongly supports the conclusion that this timepiece remains in its original and authentic condition. To eliminate any doubt, the watch was physically sent to IWC for verification. Although the lack of a dial record prevented IWC from including it in the Extract, David Seyffer, Heritage Director of IWC, graciously provided this statement:

    "This dial is highly rare; it was a design experiment from IWC's dial supplier. Only a few dials of the two variants exist. They were available in green and blue. Additionally, there was the corresponding date disc in the same colour. Officially, Yacht Club watches with these dials were never advertised. This makes the two pieces really very special.”


    - We are sincerely grateful to the IWC Heritage Department for their invaluable support in researching this watch.

  • Artist Biography

    IWC

    Swiss • 1868

    With a clear focus on technology and development, the Swiss watch manufacturer IWC Schaffhausen has been producing timepieces of lasting value since 1868. The company has gained an international reputation based on a passion for innovative solutions and technical ingenuity. One of the world's leading brands in the luxury watch segment, IWC crafts masterpieces of haute horlogerie at their finest, combining high precision with masculine design. Vintage wristwatches such as the oversized Portugieser, Aquatimer, Ingenieur and the B-UHR pilots watch are especially desirable for collectors.

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Ref. 1811
A very rare, attractive and highly unusual automatic stainless steel wristwatch with center seconds, blue date ring and blue dial

1970
36.5mm diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
CHF3,000 - 6,000 
€3,200-6,400
$3,300-6,700

Sold for CHF6,985

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Deputy Chairman, Watches, Head of Watches, Europe, and Middle East
aghotbi@phillips.com
+41 22 317 81 81
 

Tiffany To
Head of Sale, Watches Geneva
tto@phillips.com
+41 22 317 96 63
 

Phillips Watches Online Auction: The Geneva Sessions Spring 2025

5 - 12 March 2025