A fitting honor for an orphaned Cal 8541

MF, this post does mention another watch company that has given new life to an IWC Cal 8541. I hope it will be acceptable for this Forum. If you deem it non comercially neutral, I apologize and understand it will have to be deleted.

For those who don't know them, RGM Watch Company is a small and very creative watch company located in Mt. Joy, Pa. run by Roland Murphy. In addition to being highly talented, Roland is a really nice guy. Mt. Joy is near Lancaster, which was home base to Hamilton Watch Co. during its many years of existence.

In addition to its regular line of watches, RGM has created a line based on recased Hamilton pocket watch movements, and has built quite a little niche for itself in building custom, one-off pieces to customer request. RGM operates its own vintage/antique rose engine for hand guilloche of dials and recently began actually making cases in the area, which may be the only US case maker.

The pictures shown are borrowed from their website and show a custom made piece they did for a fellow who bought an orphaned IWC Cal 8541 with Pellaton winding.

The case was made in the US and the solid silver dial was hand guilloched in RGM's own shop. The movement, other than the new rotor and some parts that had to be replaced, is of course IWC.

The watch exudes the classic styles of both IWC and RGM. I'm enchanted that no existing IWC watch was harmed to create this piece. In fact, an otherwise useless IWC movement was given a new life. That's a fitting tribute to and love for one of IWC's classic movements!

This custom watch is a very creative way to bring back to life an orphaned an non-working IWC Cal 8541 movement.

The non-working Cal 8541 needed to have some parts replaced and a new rotor made. If this interests you, read on.

I saw that watch before, is it the same story?

February 13 Mark Levinsohn described a project like this, whether it is the same project or not: great story. I liked the watch, and the crown, that gave some discussion.

Some of the pictures of the thread have already been removed: this is a pity. I think it is a good idea to preserve the pictures at least a year, for those who go back in time.

Kind regards,
Paul, wearing rose gold VC Portuguese

Post of Mark Levinsohn

Yes, same watch as reported before (nt)

A sign of old age.....

I didn't remember the earlier post, even though I participated in the discussion! Just another instance of "Sometimer's Disease" where sometimes I remember, sometimes I don't.

Sorry for the redundancy. But I still like the watch!

A fitting honor for an orphaned Cal 8541

Thanks for posting this. It's a beautiful piece and very inspirational. Makes me want to go find a "homeless" movement and have them work their magic.

Cal 8541 springs back to life, nice!!!! nt

nt

not my cup of tea.... nt

A fitting honor for an orphaned Cal 8541

Gents, indeed this is the one and same watch I had cased, and the 8541 cal movement in it, was just that - a naked stand alone orphaned movement I found out there, probably the original gold case having been melted down, years ago. NO IWC WATCH WAS OFFERED UP HERE, IN THE NAME OF VANITY.

And yes Bob, I agree this watch wont appeal to everybody - but it does embody my own wishes and preferences in the design. I wanted some hand cut guiloche work on a solid silver dial plate , but did not want something too immaculate and "swirly". At the same time I wanted to reflect some IWC flavor the dial - after all, for me it was (and is) all about paying tribute to the 8541 and the pellaton mechanism. That BTW is also the only reason why I had a custom rotor mounted - to allow one to see the actually pellaton, which I am now able to show those interested in this great bit of horological history, how it actually looks and works in a working movement.

I must highlight here, that MF was spot on in his original response to me. Undertaking this type of a project is "tough" to do well - and you do need a top notch watchmaker involved, if you attempt something like this. With of course the always present chance of ending up with a Frankenstein of a watch.

I like this watch - and it will get wrist time (dress up) often enough - BUT most of all I like the fact that it ossilates at 19,800 and right now for the last couple of weeks seems to be ticking away to a 3-4 second accuracy per day - and that for a movement manufactured in 1967. Kudo's to IWC!!

Best regards
Mark
(wearing today Pilot Mark XVI in Stainless Steel)