Lot 181

IWC / Intern. Watch Co.

Grande Complication

A very fine and extremely rare neo-vintage minute repeating wristwatch with chronograph, perpetual calendar and moon phase, produced in a limited edition of only 50 pieces - with original box, operating instructions, certificate, original sales receipt and additional IWC platinum deployant clasp

The "Grande Complication" by IWC is one of the most complicated wristwatches in the world. The "Grande Complication" has 659 mechanical parts, thereof 71 bearing stones, 12 patents and 21 functions and indications; for example a perpetual calendar for the next 500 years and a gold perpetual moon phase indication showing the night blue starry sky. The Grande Complication is the crowning achievement of watchmaking - it has a chronograph as well as a highly complex minute repeating striking mechanism with an all or none function. This design has a pusher on the left side of the case which strikes the time with a wonderfully clear tone. Two small precision hammers strike two gongs for every hour, quarter hour and minute. This striking mechanism is a technical masterpiece; since the sound did at first not penetrate the solid platinum case, the glass was suspended on a platinum membrane to amplify the sound of the gongs. The bossed sapphire glass itself also contributes to the purity of the tone.
Source: Die Uhren von IWC - Bewährtes aus Schaffhausen