3536-01 servicing and refurb

Hi all,

My first post here. IWC is my favourite wach brand by a mile, and I will do a proper intro with pics of my small (but, I believe, perfectly formed) collection shortly, but I just wanted to ask a few questions first. Apologies if any of these have been asked before - I did do a quick search of the forum, but didn't turn up anything.

I recently bought a beautiful 3536-01 Aquatimer - my dream watch. The overall condition is great, however there is a scuff on the clasp, as well as a few scratches around the outside of two of the lugs and lug holes (none of them deep) due to a clumsy bracelet/strap change.

The watch is keeping great time, but I doubt it has been serviced in the past 5 or more years. In view of this fact, I was thinking that I may as well send it to Schaffhausen for a service to keep the oils fresh etc.

Assuming I send the watch in for service, my questions are:

• Will IWC also be able to remove (as far as possible) the lug scratches and clasp scuff? My concern is that, due to the titanium surface being quite rough-textured, they may not be able to remove these without changing the finish. As mentioned, none of the marks are deep (you have to look to see them, if you know what I mean), but I tend to be pretty fussy with my watches and so would prefer these to be removed.

• Do they remove small cosmetic blemishes like this as a matter of course during the service, or is this something I will need to specially request?

• I would like to keep the watch as original as possible. I think I remember reading somewhere that a 3536 was sent in to Schaffhausen for a service and the crown was replaced with a later crown. I must say, it would surprise me if something like this had in fact happened....Is my memory/understanding completely faulty here?

Sorry if these questions are naive or repeats - any responses will be much appreciated. And, as mentioned, I will do a proper intro shortly.

B

On service questions it's best to ask a dealer

Hi Brendan,

Welcome here --I'm glad you like and appreciate your watch so much. The 3536 is a classic. Also, I don't want to discourage by telling any newcomer that his questions may be misplaced. But in general the forum rules do ask that service questions not be a topic here, in large part because a physical evaluation is usually helpful. Sometimes, a problem doesn't get effectively or fully communicated electronically.

That said, I will say that most or all scratches and mars can be removed via polishing, and, yes, you do need to request that. Polishing is extra and keep in mind that all polishing is done by reduction --the watch can look great but sometimes a little different if you're fussy, It's kind of like cosmetic surgery, and you need to evaluate if it scratches are too minor --especially if you will get new scratches with normal use.

You can have a dealer evaluate the scratches and help you decide whether it's worthwhile. I will say that I have seen watches in awful condition totally resurrected, and there are examples if you search the forum's archives.

I believe that you can request no changes in parts. However, if a part needs to be replaced in service, then depending on the standards you might get a newer part --such as a crown with a Probus Scafusia insignia rather than a fish. I doubt that will occur in your instance. There, again, is some discussion in the archives and also, again, you can work with your dealer on such issues.

Also keep in mind that the costs of service can be high, at least to a newcomer to fine watches. It's part of the ownership experience ,)

Good luck, and welcome!
Michael

Not deep scratches on titanium

I once fell during a mountain hike and scratched my titanium bracelet. Not deep, not nice. Luckily there was an IWC AD in the village nearby, and he was able to remove the scratches within an hour and half at no cost. I still cannot see where the scratches were, nor that the bracelet looks different, and believe me, I tried. So, a good AD may do the trick, good luck!

Kind regards,
Paul, wearing yellow gold Portuguese Perpetual Calendar

3536-01 servicing and refurb

Thanks both - this is very helpful.

I'm relieved to hear that the marks won't be an issue - and, as suggested, I will have a chat with my friendly AD to decide what (if anything) should be done for now. Maybe I will just wear and forget, and get everything sorted (incl. a service) when the watch starts losing some accuracy.

B