My 2008 Birthday IWC

At 0313 on 25th May 1972 I arrived in this world. Each year I have been lucky enough to celebrate continued health and over the last 2 years I have celebrated here on the IWC Collectors Forum with my new found friends all over the world. This year my special birthday offering is a watch I first seen at the collectors meeting in Schaffhausen on October 2007 – on the wrist of our esteemed and famous collector Tonny Bertleloot. I noticed it from a about 5 metres away and I started to ask myself a serious question: “Why is Tonny wearing an AP Royal Oak at an IWC collectors meeting”. As I approached him via the gauntlet of wonderful warm welcomes with other IWC collectors, such as Bob and Martijn, I finally arrived to confront Tonny – and before I could say anything Tonny with his booming smile and enthusiastic wrist movement put before my eyes two stunning watches. On the right wrist was the Yacht Club II Automatic in stainless steel – which I fell in love (in a watch enthusiastics manner) with immediately. As a supporting statement for this reaction I cant even recall what was on his left wrist. Tonny nicely described his enthusiasm for this wonderful watch with me and I sub-consciously decided that I keep my eyes open for this one on the vintage market. On May 5th I received this watch which I kept (as promised) in a box until this morning at 0313 which I then decided to unwrap and now share with you all.

The Yacht Club Automatic in Stainless Steel, Ref 3212, C3254-11 ½```, H3.2, produced from 1977-1980 in around 4500 pieces. Fish crown.

Is this one of the earliest models with a screw-down crown ?
Was this Genta's finest contribution to watch making at IWC ?

• comments would be appreciated.

This piece now happily joins the other members of my Cal 8541 Club Family - Golf, Polo and Yacht Clubs all of course important pieces in their own right.

[b][i]Andrew

[](i64.photobucket.com/albums/h185/thomasa8/IMG_9501.jpg)

[](i64.photobucket.com/albums/h185/thomasa8/YC-Stahl.jpg)

[](i64.photobucket.com/albums/h185/thomasa8/IMG_9506.jpg)

[](i64.photobucket.com/albums/h185/thomasa8/IMG_9508.jpg)

[](i64.photobucket.com/albums/h185/thomasa8/IMG_9519.jpg)

[](i64.photobucket.com/albums/h185/thomasa8/L1010684.jpg.jpg)

[](i64.photobucket.com/albums/h185/thomasa8/L1010678.jpg)

[]()

Best Wishes

Happy Birthday Andrew I wish you health. And also have all the watches you dream of. It is such a beautiful watch. Congratulations once more.

P.S. Thanks for the help and guidance.

                          Warm Regards
                            Argiris

Congratulations on a sunny day

It is not sunny here, but such a watch at your wrist is a worthy substitute for our energy supplier, at least for the moment you look at it. It looks magnificent, and in great shape. Enjoy the day, the party and the watch.

Kind regards,
Paul, wearing a Genta heritage, the titan Inge Automatic

Happy birthday Andrew, really a great watch.

It seems to be in excellent condition. You know, this watch is one of my favorite watches. I like flat watches, because very comfortable to wear.

I think, the ref. 1832 was the first IWC with screw down crown in 1976.

Well, Genta design, I know only some rumors about this issue.

4500 pieces, my information is, only 1500 automatic.

Greetings

Heiko

Congratulations, Andrew

on your birthday (or should that be birth hour) and on another stunningly beautiful addition to your admirable collection.

Enjoy the year ahead, as you no doubt will.

Prosit, Dirk

Happy Birthday Andrew and great pick up

I was wondering if IWC will ever relaunch the Yacht Club series. Hope they do!

Cheers and best regards,
Lionel

happy birthday Andrew!

Nice job!

Terrific way to celebrate!

Happy Birthday Andrew! 2 comments on the watch....

It's a great choice for your birthday and for your collection, too.

If I may, two quick comments on what you wrote:

Is there any foundation for the model being produced in about 4,500 pieces or is that itself another urban rumor? I would have thought it was produced in very smaller quantities, and for the automatic version in minute quantities. We know the total production of the Jumbo Ingenieur, including quartz, and it would be surprising for this to dwarf that. We also can make educated guesses about iWC's production in this period, and it would make this one model a dominant part of the company,

Is there any foundation for the Yacht Club IIbeing designed by Genta? I've heard that sneak into discussions here and do not believe it to be the case, at least without some better proof. If it's not true, that's not so bad to me --his work and influence after the Royak Oak, etc, deteriorated in my opinion. But regardless , this watch is a very nice design and size.

Again, a very nice present. Happy brithday.
Michael

Happy Birthday Andrew...

May you enjoy many more.   ( Great Post.)


                                                      Best Wishes
                                                                     Joe

Congratulation Andrew...

... and again a great addition to your collection. Have a great day!

Norbert

Double congratulations Andrew !

Regards,
[i]Stefan

You celebrate in wonderful ways, Andrew!

Happy Birthday!

Many more happy Birthdays to you Andrew

What a wonderful way to celebrate, but I don't know if I could stay up anymore until 0313. Thanks for sharing the pictures with the rest of your forum family.

Bill

Wow! First of all congrats and secondly...

...I love it in this combination with black dial and bracelet!!! It seems in great shape too, amazing!

Is the IWC logo applied?

What a great addition to your great collection. Enjoy your birthday my friend!

Regards,

Bob

Excellent. Enjoy your new find. Happy b'day too.nt

Happy birthday and the watch is STUNNING!

Have a great day and your birthday watch looks fabulous on your wrist. You can see the current Ingenieur lines there already, and as you say that hint of AP. Very nice indeed!