Lot 4154

Description

Gent's wristwatch, IWC (International Watch Co., Shaffhausen), Ingenieur, SL Quartz, stainless steel case (40mmx8mm) with intergral stainless steel bracelet, case numbered 2269080, black metal dial with date at 3 o'clock, sweep seconds hand, stainless steel baton numerals and hands. Extremely fine, not working but may just require a new battery, in an IWC leatherette box.

The Jumbo SL was most likely presented to the public in 1976 and was definitely available in stores in 1977. It is a large watch on a substantial integrated bracelet and was available as an automatic as well as with a quartz ebauche. All are truly rare pieces. Because of its large case this watch is also affectionately referred to as the 'Tresor' (German for 'safe' or 'strong room'), or the 'Jumbo' or 'Fat' Ingenieur.

IWC sales figures show that these watches sold very poorly with only 534 of the automatic jumbos turning up in the sales records. Besides being a bit clunky, the Jumbo did not sell very well because of its high price and the fact that it was introduced during the peak of the 'quartz crisis'. IWC refers to the Jumbo as a 'cult watch', an apt description for a watch of which less than 1,000 were ever produced.