Life on the Wrist

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A Historically Important IWC Automatic and a Tudor with a Linen Dial

It can be fun to revisit watches that we have covered on the website before. The watches have found new homes with what I imagine to be owners who treasure the pieces, so sometimes sourcing pieces very similar to those watches from prior years is the only option. If you follow Life on the Wrist, linen dials and bombé/twisted lugs will be very familiar to you.

IWC Automatic Time-Only in Steel with Bombé Lugs

Dress watches were made in so many variations. IWC competed nicely with other watch brands to create truly beautiful watches. This watch was manufactured in 1950. This time-only piece from IWC comes in a 35mm case made of staybrite steel. The case is in good condition, with only a few scratches on the caseback. The lugs are truly what makes this watch stand out, with their bombé lugs, what collectors often call ‘twisted’. The lugs are long and make this watch sit largely on the wrist. The white dial has aged to a cream tone, with applied hour markers that match the hours, minutes and seconds hand. The minutes hand is missing its lume. The IWC, cursive name is printed on the dial. The watch runs on the caliber 85, automatic movement. The movement is signed with "Pat. Appl.", indicating this is one of the earliest versions of the caliber 85 produced.

Tudor Prince Oysterdate reference 75203 with Linen Dial

This Tudor was manufactured in 1987. The watch has a stainless steel case and is in overall good condition, with signs of wear. The watch has a 18k gold, fluted bezel that is in good condition. The lugs are sharp with holes, making it easy to switch out straps or bracelets. The watch has a beautiful gold linen dial and has gold applied hour markers and Tudor logo. The crystal does have a thin crack at 7/8 o'clock. The crown is signed with the Rolex coronet. The watch runs on the caliber 2824 automatic wind movement.

Enjoy!