Rare Vintage IWC (Schaffhausen) Ellipse Ref. 3277, Cal. 3254 (JLC 889), Solid 18K Gold Case from 1970's

From 1975, as quartz was reshaping Swiss watchmaking, IWC used a Jaeger-LeCoultre movement in its best automatic watches. That movement was the ultra-thin JLC 889, which IWC called Cal. 3254, and it is the one inside this vintage IWC Ellipse Ref. 3277. It is signed IWC, has 34 jewels and is adjusted to five positions.

The oval case is solid 18K gold. It measures 31mm across and 39mm lug to lug, and it is only 6.4mm thick, which is very slim for a Swiss automatic watch. It sits flat on the wrist and slides easily under a cuff. This is a classic 1970s dress watch shape, done with IWC’s usual restraint.

The gilt brushed dial is simple. It has applied gold baton markers with black inlay, matching gold baton hands, a framed date window at 3 o’clock and the script “International Watch Co Schaffhausen” signature. Ref. 3277 appears in IWC’s own catalogue, but examples rarely come up for sale. We have not found another one like it on the market. For an IWC collector, or anyone who wants a properly made gold automatic dress watch, this is a rare find.

✓ Professional inspection by our watchmaker
✓ One-year warranty
✓ Express shipping included
✓ Carefully packed and ready to wear

CASE:
Solid 18K yellow gold oval Ellipse case
Case size: 31mm
Lug to lug: 39mm
Thickness: 6.4mm
Caseback secured with four screws, with hallmarks on the outside
Caseback interior stamped with the IWC Probus Scafusia emblem, 18K 750 and Swiss gold hallmarks
Reference 3277 and case number 2243335 engraved inside the caseback
Fluted gold crown

DIAL:
Gilt brushed dial in well-preserved condition
Applied gold baton hour markers with black inlay, doubled at 12
Gold baton hands with black inlay
Framed date window at 3 o’clock

MOVEMENT:
IWC Cal. 3254, based on the Jaeger-LeCoultre Cal. 889
Ultra-thin automatic movement, 28,800 vph
34 jewels, adjusted to five positions
Hours, minutes, quickset date
Movement serial number: 2210735
Swiss made
Serviced and running as expected