1973 IWC Large Vintage Mens Caliber 150 Electronic Tuning Fork Watch - Stainless Steel

IWC

Item No. 6111

Today's offering features this very cool and rare IWC caliber 150 watch.

For the movement the company used a patented tuning fork based movement made by ESA. These watches use a battery driven tuning fork whose vibrations are converted by a special index mechanism into an almost smoothless rotary motion of the hands. At the time, tuning fork watches were the most accurate timekeeping mechanisms ever devised.

The tuning fork technology was so accurate that NASA used the technology for timing for new satellites and for timekeeping in their spacecraft. The U.S. government even asked Bulova, the maker of the famous Accurtron, to delay the release of their cutting edge new watches for fear the technology might fall into the hands of the Russians.

One of these watch movement sits on the moon's Sea of Tranquility today, in an instrument placed there in 1969 by Apollo 11 astronauts.

IWC built tuning fork watches only for a short time in in the first half of the seventies. Despite the fact that they're battery powered, we strongly feel these tuning fork watches deserve a place in a fine collection as an important historical horological invention.

We are pleased to offer this watch in gorgeous condition. All of its main parts are all-original. The case shows light wear on the underside - otherwise it presents as mint. On the wrist, it presents as gorgeous mint.

Its untouched, original dial is also mint.

Two of our team of Master Watchmakers alongside two outside specialists in these watches spent over FIVE years breathing new life into the original movement to restore it to perfect functioning with correct parts so that it could be put into service for decades to come (a $2395 value). Our loss is your gain.

All functions work perfectly.

For the finishing touch, we have equipped it with a brand new calfskin strap making it ready for immediate enjoyment.

Included with the purchase is a one-year warranty on the movement and its function and a custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity.

  • Manufacturer: IWC
  • City of origin: Schaffhausen, Switzerland
  • Case no.: 2,028,989
  • Year built: c. 1973
  • Functions:  Hours, Minutes, Sweep Seconds, Quick-Setting Date
  • Model: Caliber 150
  • Designed for: Men
  • Case material: Stainless steel
  • Case condition: The case shows light wear on the underside - otherwise it presents as mint. On the wrist it presents as gorgeous mint.
  • Dimensions:  37mm wide (without crown), 41mm long lug tip-to-tip
  • Dial: Silver, baton indexes, outer minute track, original hands, original and untouched, mint condition
  • Hands: Original, steel, luminous 'batons'
  • Movement type:  IWC caliber 150, very high quality, tuning fork, 12 jewels
  • Jewels: 12 rubies
  • Band: Calfskin leather, fully stitched, padded, brand new and unworn
  • Crystal type: Acrylic, excellent condition
  • Serviced: Two of our team of Master Watchmakers alongside two outside specialists in these watches spent over five years breathing new life into the original movement to restore it to perfect functioning with correct parts so that it could be put into service for decades to come (a $2395 value). Our loss is your gain. All functions work perfectly.
  • Warranty: 1-year international warranty. Please email concierge@cotwatches.com for details. Your watch is important to us, and we will take care of it for its lifetime. We provide the best after sale care in the business with an extremely experienced team of four Master Watchmakers all of whom each have over thirty-five years of experience and a large number of parts. One used to be the watchmaker for an authorized Rolex dealership and was given special training by Rolex at their Beverly Hills Service Center.
  • Box/Papers: BOX - Connoisseur of Time watch presentation box; PAPERS - Custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity
  • Returns: 7 days full refund. 100% satisfaction guarantee

We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee for all of our watches. If you are in any way unsatisfied with the watch we will fully refund the purchase price anytime within 7 days after the watch has been received. Our goal is to exceed our client's expectations throughout the buying experience.

All watches are packaged carefully and mailed double boxed in specially constructed, reinforced shipping boxes designed for high value items. All watches are sent fully insured with signature required. Most of our domestic shipping is done through FedEx. At times we will also use USPS Express Mail, and we can accommodate most requests for your preferred carrier. International shipments are sent USPS International Express Mail or FedEx.

The purchase price will be the declared value of the merchandise on any required customs forms. The payment of all customs duties, tariffs, and taxes are the responsibility of the buyer.

Also note that water resistance of vintage watches can no longer be guaranteed and is not covered under the watch's warranty. We do not recommend getting a vintage watch wet, even one that was originally designed to be waterproof.

To get an idea of how this watch will look on the wrist, please use the Watch Sizing Guide

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