Introduction
Introduced during the 1970s, the IWC Yacht Club II belongs to the extraordinary period in which Gérald Genta helped redefine the luxury sports watch. Following his work on watches including the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and Patek Philippe Nautilus, Genta brought many of the same principles to IWC: strong geometry, an emphasis on the relationship between case and bracelet, and a design that blurred the traditional distinction between dress and sports watches.
The Yacht Club II took IWC's established Yacht Club name in a distinctly more contemporary direction. This stainless steel ref. 3312 features a 38mm case with Genta's characteristic geometric bezel, paired with a matte silver dial and discreet date aperture at 3 o'clock. Its semi-integrated H-link bracelet completes the unmistakably 1970s design, while the quartz movement reflects an era in which even Switzerland's most prestigious manufactures were embracing the rapidly developing technology.
Loupe This Scorecard
Grade
V 8.5
Status
Vetted & Approved
Included
Watch Only
Est. value range
$4,000 – $6,000
The Details
Brand
IWC
Dimensions
38mm
Model
Yacht Club II
Movement
Quartz
Reference
3312
Bracelet
Stainless steel H-link bracelet
Year
Circa late 1970s
Condition
Excellent
Material
Stainless steel
Included
Watch only
Dial Color
Silver
THE DIAL
The matte silver dial is characteristically restrained, with applied baton hour markers, simple hands and a date aperture at 3 o'clock. Its clean execution provides a counterpoint to the more architectural form of the case and bracelet.
THE CONSTRUCTION
Gérald Genta's influence is immediately apparent in the 38mm stainless steel case, particularly its geometric bezel and the way the case flows into the semi-integrated H-link bracelet. It is a distinctly 1970s approach to the luxury sports watch and places the Yacht Club II within one of the most important periods of Genta's design career.
THE MOVEMENT
Powered by a quartz movement, the ref. 3312 reflects the rapidly changing landscape of Swiss watchmaking during the late 1970s. Rather than detracting from the watch, its quartz calibre is an integral part of the Yacht Club II's period character, combining the era's progressive technology with Gérald Genta's equally forward-looking design.
Condition
Watch is in overall excellent condition. The steel case remains well defined, with light surface scratches and small nicks. The case back retains its original circular finishing, with a few small nicks to the edges of the tool slots. The dial is in near-mint condition, and the hands remain clean. It is fitted with a steel bracelet showing light surface marks, with a well-defined IWC engraving to the flip-lock on the folding clasp. The bracelet is fitted with 23 links, 5 of which are removable, and fits approximately a 7½” wrist.
Our Perspective
While the Royal Oak and Nautilus have become the most celebrated expressions of Gérald Genta's 1970s work, the Yacht Club II offers another fascinating interpretation of the same emerging luxury-sports-watch vocabulary. With its 38mm proportions, geometric case and original semi-integrated bracelet, the ref. 3312 is an increasingly compelling piece of both IWC and Genta design history.
Justin Gruenberg
Co-founder
