1956 IWC Schaffhausen Caliber 89

Make - IWC

 

Model - Caltrava

 

Case: 35,5 mm

 

Reference - N/A

 

Movement: Manual, Swiss High grade, Cal. 89

 

Bracelet - Nylon green strap

 

Accessories - Company watch case

A refined classic from Schaffhausen’s golden era — this 1956 stainless steel IWC Calibre 89 is the very definition of restrained excellence.

Dating to circa the 1956, this beautiful stainless steel example showcases everything collectors admire about mid-century IWC: balance, proportion, and quiet confidence.

 

The full white dial is crisp and symmetrical, elevated by slender steel dauphine hands and a finely executed perlage outer seconds track that adds texture without disturbing the watch’s minimalist purity. There is no excess here — just clarity, precision, and timeless design.

 

Beneath the surface beats the legendary Calibre 89 — a 17-jewel, hand-wound movement widely regarded as one of the finest manually wound calibres ever produced by IWC. Robust, beautifully engineered, and built as a true workhorse, the Cal. 89 earned its reputation for reliability and precision over decades of service. It is a movement that serious collectors speak of with genuine reverence. It was introduced around 1946–1948 and became famous for its use in the Mark XI navigation watch.

The stainless steel case remains elegantly proportioned, sitting comfortably on the wrist and embodying the understated sophistication that defined IWC during this era.

 

Paired on one of our green nylon NATO-style straps, this watch takes on a slightly more contemporary, relaxed character — proof that true design transcends generations.

 

An exercise in minimalism.

A masterclass in engineering.

A vintage IWC that reminds us why less is often infinitely more.