CIRCA: 2001
CASE MATERIAL: Platinum
CASE DIAMETER: 42.5 mm.
DIAL: Silvered
MOVEMENT: Automatic
FUNCTIONS: Minute repeater, chronograph, perpetual calendar, moon phases, leap year indication
CLASP: Platinum IWC deployant clasp
BOX: Yes
PAPERS: No
WITH: Presentation box
REMARK: Limited edition of 50 pieces

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Lot Essay

Part of a limited edition of 50 pieces only, this stunning and incredibly IWC Grande Complication offers a huge presence both technically and aesthetically.

In 1985, during the midst of the quartz crisis, IWC set out to create what would be its first grande complication wristwatch - and one of the world’s most complicated timepieces: a timepiece featuring a perpetual calendar, a chronograph, and a minute repeater. A team of watchmakers and engineers was commissioned, and along with two young wunderkinds of complicated horology, Dominic Renaud and Giulio Papi were tasked to create IWC’s grande complication. After five years of painstaking development work and 12 patents, this horological masterpiece was officially presented at the Basel fair in 1990.

The 42.5 mm platinum case houses an automatic caliber with no less than 568 components that give life to 18 functions: hour, minute and seconds displays, moon phase, month, day and date displays, perpetual calendar, indication of year, decade, century and millennium, chronograph seconds counter, chronograph minutes counter, chronograph hours counter, minute repeater, quarter repeater and hour repeater.

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Condition report

A Christie's specialist may contact you to discuss this lot or to notify you if the condition changes prior to the sale.

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The condition of lots can vary widely and the nature of the lots sold means that they are unlikely to be in a perfect condition. Lots are sold in the condition they are in at the time of sale.

Movement: The movement is ticking at the time of cataloguing and all functions are working; however, a service is recommended. Christie’s does not guarantee the future working of the movement.
Case: The case is in very good condition, with scratches and dents. The case back shows signs of wear.
Dial: Excellent
Buckle Clasp: Some signs of wear.
Overall condition: Very good

The watch is sold and delivered with a Christie's branded strap, the original strap is not included in the sale.
The condition of lots sold in our auctions can vary widely due to factors such as age, previous damage, restoration, repair and wear and tear. Their nature means that they will rarely be in perfect condition. Lots are sold "as is," in the condition they are in at the time of the sale, without any representation or warranty or assumption of liability of any kind as to condition by Christie's or by the seller.
Any reference to condition in a catalogue entry or in a condition report will not amount to a full description of condition, and images may not show a lot clearly. Colours and shades may look different in print or on screen to how they look on physical inspection. Condition reports may be available to help you evaluate the condition of a lot. Condition reports are provided free of charge as a convenience to our buyers and are for guidance only. They offer our opinion but they may not refer to all faults, inherent defects, restoration, alteration or adaptation because our staff are not professional restorers or conservators. For that reason they are not an alternative to examining a lot in person or taking your own professional advice. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have requested, received and considered any condition report.

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