SPECIFICATIONS
Extraordinary IWC Yacht Club II in mint condition reference 3311 with flat stainless steel case, quartz crystal movement IWC 2250, From ’80s.
Stainless steel case measuring 34.5mm
Lug-to-lug measuring 40mm
Original sapphire crystal
Original logo crown
IWC quartz movement 2250
ANALYSIS
Introduced during the height of the quartz crisis (approximately 1970-1985), the Yacht Club II was IWC’s strategic response to the electronic revolution. Preceded by the Ingenieur SL (Ref. 1832), this is the second project by design legend Gérald Genta for the prestigious Schaffhausen-based watchmaker. The Reference 3311 inherited the DNA of the original Yacht Club model from the late 1960s, which had a style of octagonal case and bezel structure typical of the Genta language.
This particular model of the reference 3311 has a fantastic mix of elegance and sportiness. It has a very classic white dial with Roman numerals, which contrast with the sharp edges of the case. Two different concepts – apparently in contrast – that communicate with each other in a coherent and harmonious way. At 12 o’clock there is the IWC signature; at 6 o’clock there is the Yacht Club II Quartz signature. The date window is well incorporated into the layout of the dial and is canonically placed at 3 o’clock. The hands are black and have a pencil shape.
The case is characterized by an octagonal bezel that has the upper surface treated with a circular satin finish; it contrasts with its base, which instead has a mirror-polished finish. The lugs are short and pointed, and make the entire structural system very compact to the eye. At 3 o’clock emerges the beautiful original crown with the fish logo, a distinctive IWC trademark. The caseback has six notches for tightening, is flat and has a circular brushed finish on the outside. The inner caseback has a perlage treatment and bears the reference number together with the Maison’s signature.
Inside is the high-quality quartz crystal caliber IWC 2250 (based on the ETA 955112 movement). The assimilation of this caliber into the model has allowed a very strong reduction in the thickness of the watch, which in fact measures just over 7mm.
The extreme adaptability of this watch is its greatest strength. Large, compact, thin, and with a very high-precision caliber, it is the luxury timepiece that embodies design, history and technology. A timeless classic signed IWC.
