IWC “Calatrava Style” Cal. 89, Rose Gold, Circa 1960s

The understated refinement of a dress watch with a Calatrava-style case (originally designed by Patek Philippe in the early 1930s) is something that will never go out-of-style. It’s a design that projects a sense of simple luxury, and while it is an undeniably upscale choice, Calatrava-style watches tend to sing rather than scream visually.
While IWC is best known these days for its popular line of oversized pilot’s watches and its partnership with the Mercedes AMG Formula 1 Team, the marque has confidently produced watches that have explored every imaginable sub-genre of horology since being founded in Switzerland by American watchmaking pioneer Florentine Ariosto Jones in the 1800s. This alluring dress watch from the 1960s is just one such example of the wide range IWC has explored over its many years in business.

Featuring a stunning 18k rose gold case, fancy “turtle-style” lugs, and powered by IWC’s reliable workhorse Cal. 89 movement, this ‘60s piece is an absolute steal relative to similar models from the same period made by the likes of Patek Philippe or Vacheron Constantin. These watches are carefree to own and service, and as the fashion renaissance brands like Cartier are enjoying has proved, a classic dress watch paired with casual looks is a killer way to break free of the steel tool watch status quo.