IWC - The Geneva Watch Auction: XVI Geneva Saturday, November 5, 2022 | Phillips

Create your first list.

Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.

  • Manufacturer: IWC
    Year: 1942
    Reference No: 325
    Movement No: 932'016
    Case No: 1'072'476
    Model Name: Portugieser
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 74, 16 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel
    Dimensions: 42mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, and movement signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by IWC Certificate stating that the watch has been examined by IWC and confirming delivery of the piece on August 18, 1942, and original fitted box.

  • Catalogue Essay

    The origins of the IWC Portugieser reference 325 have now been scholarly agreed upon, pinpointing it to the beginning of 1932, where two Portuguese watch importers by the name of Mr. Rodrigues and Mr. Teixeira commissioned IWC with a special request: an oversized wristwatch with a highly accurate movement. Luckily, IWC had already developed and implemented in their pocket watches their cal. 74, a manually wound savonette movement with subsidiary seconds and a 54-hour power reserve. Whilst it was pretty common back then to have a large diameter pocket watch, a 42mm wristwatch was definitely impressive.

    The very first IWC references 325 were shipped to Lisbon in 1942 to Mr. Rodrigues, later of the firm Rodrigues & Gonçalves, Ltd. According to IWC, only 304 examples reference 325 were produced with the caliber 74, with a total of 690 examples in total produced between 1939 and 1981. Over these 42 years, only 141 actual Portugieser watches were imported to Portugal. Though prized by collectors today because of their rarity, size, and history, IWC's reference 325 did not enjoy acclaim during its actual production. Historically extremely important, the present timepiece from August 1942 is probably one of the very first examples of reference 325 ever to have been produced by IWC.

    The oversized case, black Arabic numerals and blued hours and minutes hands render the timepiece extremely legible and refined. The rarity of the present lot should be enough to capture the heart of any collector, but these elements are further enhanced by this Portugieser's remarkable case and dial condition.

  • 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.

    View More Works

201

Ref. 325
A fine, rare, and very large stainless-steel wristwatch with original box and certificate of authenticity

1942
42mm Diameter
Case, dial, and movement signed

Estimate
CHF15,000 - 30,000 
€15,400-30,900
$15,000-30,000

Sold for CHF35,280

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East
+41 22 317 81 81
AGhotbi@phillips.com
 

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

The Geneva Watch Auction: XVI

Geneva Auction 5 - 6 November 2022