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Authentic IWC halfhunter caliber 53

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    Apprentice
    9 May 2010, 9:05 p.m.
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    Hello,

    I just have bought a IWC halfhunter d.d. 1903 via E-bay (see the pictures on the attached link). The movement is stamped with the marking "S & C" and peerless that refers to Stauffer & Co. My first impression was that this is an original IWC movement.

    • The case number is #477,569.
    • The movement serial number is # 276,713.

    Based on the offical records the case refers to manufacturing date of 1909 which corresponds to the hallmarks on the case like the reversed U sign (london) and the letter O that stands for the production year 1909 in London.

    The movement serials number refers to a 53 - 18/19lig. H7 caliber. Compared to a lot of pictures on the internet of the CAL 53 the movement on the attached pictures is almost similar. Except de space between the little and big movement wheel looks different and does not have a little radar between the wheels or a radar under the big wheel like a lot of other calibers 53. I have read a lot about the movements and the history about Stauffer and Son and I wonder if there were made modifications of the IWC movements for the Britsh IWC dealer.

    Can anybody therefore tell me if:
    * the case and movement are orginal / authentic IWC
    * more information about these movements made for Stauffer & Son.

    Thanks in advance and regards

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    Apprentice
    9 May 2010, 12:55 p.m.
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    Moderator
    10 May 2010, 8:45 a.m.
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    Well, it's partially authentic....

    We can't vet on authenticity here from photographs without examining the actual watch. However, very quickly:

    1. This watch was never produced as a wristwatch with the unusual lugs as shown. All Calibre 53s were produced as, and intended as, pocket watches. Someone on the aftermarket subsequently added those lugs, presumably to make the watch more sellable to later-day collectors.

    2. I cannot tell about the case. The movement did not leave the factory in Schaffhausen with it, but many watches for the UK market there were cased by the UK importer, Staufffer. This case is not an IWC-stamped cased by a "C. N." one --produced by Nicolet, a supplier Stauffer sometimes used during the time. Also, the crown is not the original one --it is too large for the case and not the style used in half-hunters.

    3. The movement, from the one small image, looks authentic, but I cannot tell about substituted parts from the one shot.

    On the whole, it's probably a original IWC-movement, Stauffer pocket watch with a few changes like the lugs and the crown. It's called a "conversion" and worth less to "authentic" collectors.

    Unlike some marketing materials, not all Stauffer or Peerless stamped movements are by IWC. You can learn more about Stauffer from searching the archived posts.

    Good luck,
    Michael

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    Apprentice
    9 May 2010, 1:05 p.m.
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    Well, it's partially authentic....

    Thanks michael for your quick response.

    • Assuming your reaction and disclosure is the selling price in your opinion ok?
    • Can I conclude that is not a fake imitation?

    regards

    Andre

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    Master
    9 May 2010, 6:05 p.m.
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    I hope you have a gigantic wrist. LOL nt

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    Apprentice
    10 May 2010, 8 a.m.
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    I hope you have a gigantic wrist. LOL nt

    What a good remark! My compliments for your feedback.

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    Insider
    10 May 2010, 1:30 a.m.
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    Well, it's partially authentic....

    To me the price seems reasonable, but dont expect it to be an authentic and valuable IWC watch that will rise in price over the years.

    Fake or not is not really an issue regarding marriages.

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    Master
    9 May 2010, 6:55 p.m.
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    ..and of course, anyone seeing it on your wrist

    will certainly look twice ! So no investment value - but hopefully IWC inside (and maybe even the first Gold Club IWC even before the Yacht Club series.

    It might be of significant value to the president or other members of that GOLF CLUB (if it still exists) - and in any case definitely an interesting story to chase. You should do so.

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    Master
    10 May 2010, 10:45 p.m.
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    Not sure about the hallmarks...

    I can't see an English (or UK) hallmark on the photos shown (the London hallmark is a leopard's head, for example, not a "U" sign, nor is there a Lion Rampant or Anchor). The Sterling hallmark may be elsewhere and not shown, I suppose...but... I'd be dubious about the case, at least, and remember that the Ukraine is the source of many faked watches...

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    Apprentice
    10 May 2010, 3:35 p.m.
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    Not sure about the hallmarks...

    The reversed omega sign (or u mark) is the offical London mark from 1904, the by you refferred leopard's head before 1904, check the offical websitesfor example klzzwxh:0001

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    Master
    11 May 2010, 2:45 a.m.
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    Imported case, not UK made...

    The "U" mark is for imported silver (IE: it was not produced in London) as your weblink clearly says.
    I got distracted by the Stauffer connection, thinking that if the movement was cased in the UK it would have a UK produced case, but I suppose that would not necessarily be true.