Who really designed the Golf & Polo Club models?

I personally have no convincing documentation

but there are certainly plenty of discussions within this forum that have "added fuel to the fire " of this Fact or Myth. My first "knowledge" and I must say I took it as informed knowledge is added in the link below.

I have spent a day in the IWC Archive a couple of months ago - actually I was the first non IWC employee to spend time in the new archive - and one day my work will be shared in full....but due to copyright agreements on data and knowledge I have at hand I cannot comment fully yet.

Actually, come to think of it there is no DOCUMENTATION (convincing or otherwise) that I am aware of that Gerald Genta was the designer of the Jumbo Ingenieur. Perhaps there is documented evidence available to the public ?

Throughout the internet it is simple to find links (not convincing documentation) of Genta's contribution to the Golf and Polo Club models and this claimed connection has also appeared in a book....."Die Noblen Aus Der Schweiz" by J Michael Mehltretter.

IWC's WATCH International 2007, December Issue also clearly states the link of Genta and the Polo Club.

I look forward to seeing the special exhibition of the Club Family (already open at the IWC museum - earlier than advertised in the next WATCH magazine) - and perhaps, if we are lucky, there are some documents that will help with this fact or myth.

Perhaps someone needs to ask whether Peter Frey is aware of any convincing documentation ? I spoke to him for a few moments on the telephone and this did not come up in the discussion....but he had access to all my "data" on the Club family which includes the forum perception on the links of Genta and the Clubs.

Perhaps I know where this small inaccuracy comes from in the "SL" part......of the article but since I havent seen the final printed version of the article I wait to comment...... but the version I seen did NOT attempt to imply that the ONLY SL versions were the Ingenieur, Polo and Golf Club models.

Andrew

MF's earlier post from 2002

though...

....Though if he was doing multiple designs in the same sitting.. like he did second time around at Omega... then it would all make sense.

I doubt Genta designed the Yacht Club 1

It was released in 1966/67 some ten years before the Genta designed models.

On the Golf and Polo Clubs the following is from: Ingenieur - Dial Variations In Vintage Models by Larry Seiden, Marco Schönenberger and David Ter Molen (link below):

"Soon thereafter IWC hired Genta (who also designed the steel Patek Philippe Nautilus) to design a newly conceived Ingenieur, along with two new watches, the Golf Club and Polo Club. These were all included it what IWC called its Collection SL. IWC's "SL catalog" from 1976/77 indicates that the SL designation originally meant "Steel Line" - a further indication that the new collection was intended to evoke the success of the Royal Oak as a luxury watch in steel."

I do not have the "SL catalog" from 1976/77 but given the quote above it may also reference Genta designing the Golf Club and Polo Club. The catalogue might be worth checking.

Cheers from the cellar

1976-1983: The "Jumbo" Ingenieur SL

I tend to recall the SL brochure

..I can't find it quickly but it was only a few pages if I recall. I do recall the SL catatalog pages, and a link is below.

I am 99.9% certain the SL materials did not mention any designer. This was before the cult of personalities.

Regards,
Michael

click here

more -- the SL brochure

click here

I doubt Genta designed the Yacht Club 1

"It was released in 1966/67 some ten years before the Genta designed models".

Hello Cellar....do you not think GG may well have been designing watches for companies in '67?

The known designs all appear to be from the 1970's

I'd appreciate any information you have on any earlier designs.

Cheers from the cellar

Gerald Gentya Classics in 2009

The fact that he was designing YC orientated...

....cases in '66 is by the by, the same can be said for his inner bezel stunt with the Polerouter.

"
Since the first chronograph wrist watches, Universal's endeavour was to combine quality with good classic taste. The make had many admirer, from Harry Truman to Juan Peron. The artist Jean Cocteaux composed the dedication "Les temps lui-meme regarde l'heure à la montre Universal", which can be found on the dials of the new tourbillons. Various sheiks and arabic ministers ordered luxurious custom made watches. Golden watches with exquisite enamel dials are still very sought after. Gerald Genta, considered to be one of the most famous watch designers of the twentieth century, contributed to the success of this make by, designing two models which have subsequently become world-famous: the "Polerouter" in 1954 and the "Golden Shadow" in 1966. These two watches gained Universal the "New York Diamond Award", the "Golden Rose" in Baden-Baden, the Grand Prix of the "Ville de Genève", the "Città di Basilea" prize and the 1st price in the "Exposition Nationale Suisse" in 1964".

Thank you

And I'd still be very surprised that he designed the Yacht Club 1.

Cheers from the cellar

I tend to agree with you Cellar....

Though i'd not a wager a lot that he never. I think if it was accurately backtracked then you'd get very near to the copycating between companies thats obviously always gone on and if the c-type case was shown/known/liked in '64 then i'd think the race would be on to source your own (so to speak)......might be a lot nearer to the truth. Schaffhausen we much smaller back then and if they could see that his design sold in great numbers then this may well have piggybacked him into sub-contract early Vinci work.

Take care fella.

thread of the year! A delight to read!

HI Michael and others,

Thanks for this discussion on vintage Club watches! I must say that it's always nice to read about these vintage times!

Greetings, Martijn

think I agree with you.... but the case is special

No nearer the answer but a very interesting thread

Couldn't we ask Mr Genta?

He should have the definite answer. Anyone has Mr Genta's email address? :)

The views and information shared...

is one of the main reasons I love this forum. Thanks all, for an interesting read and well articulated opinions!

Best regards,
Jim