Correct crown for a 1948 cal.89 dress watch

Hello to all, I'm new to the IWC forum. I already owned a DaVinci Flyback Chrono and recently acquired a 18K IWC cal.89 dress watch (movement serial 1181668). I was still looking for a clean simple flat classic watch that would also fit under my cuf when wearing a suit. Because of its relative large diameter it actually has a "modern wrist presence" ;)

As far as information is concerned, through the case serial number I have been able to find the manufacturing date to be about 1948. The 18k case was produced by Charles Dubois SA, Le Locle.

I haven't been able to find out anything more about the watch so far.

What I have noticed is that the crown is certainly not original when comparing it to other dress watches from the same period. I think the original crown is what I would describe as a "flattened onion" type.

Does anybody know if these crowns are still available or is there anybody out there that is willing to part from one?

Any help is welcome.

[](s1284.photobucket.com/user/Thojil/media/2V4A0942-2_zpsynfe2yzs.jpg.html)

[](s1284.photobucket.com/user/Thojil/media/2V4A0945-1_zpsnyufjd3q.jpg.html)

[](s1284.photobucket.com/user/Thojil/media/2V4A0946-1_zpspncwazcs.jpg.html)

I did some further research and found an example of the crown that I'm looking for.

Diameter : 5.0mm
Tap 10 : 0.90mm
Case tube : 1,80mm
Tube inner : 1.40mm

Anybody out there who has one like this?
Thanks

[](s1284.photobucket.com/user/Thojil/media/Voorbeeld%20kroon%201.1_zpszsiusqdc.jpg.html)

Hi Thojil
Congrats on the lovely Cal 89 :o)

Well, I have good and bad news for you. My watchmaker has stock of those crowns as fitted to my vintage 1948 Tissot, but we are in Toronto.
[](s1335.photobucket.com/user/regnimelf3717/media/watches/A19D046D-1EA7-4CA9-B6BC-82D0D505DF06_zpsycvijz0m.jpg.html)

I will check with him if the size is the same.

Are you considering having the watch serviced by IWC, in which case, they will fit the correct crown.

If not, contact me privately by email, address in my details. I can possibly mail it to you. Failing that, I will be in SA in August.

Hello Mark,

Happy new year to you and this is the first good news message already on day two of the year. I feel it is going to be a stellar year ;)

It is great if your source would have the crown I'm looking for. Let me know once he has confirmed the dimensions, as I won't have it serviced with IWC anytime soon.

First it was already serviced recently locally and also I read in another post that somebody tried to have a watch with a similar type of case serviced by IWC and it was refused. It was suggested that maybe IWC will only work on a watch they will be able to return in "new condition". These old thinner gold cases are difficult to restore if there is damage.

Anyway, let me know when you get the information and I will sent you a PM with my details.

Thanks again,
Thomas

Will do.
I will be going to my watchmaker next week to drop off a few repairs.

Hi Thomas
Sadly it appears the last Yellow Gold crown with the correct TAP went onto my Tissot.

He has the same style in Pink Gold and one domed crown in Yellow Gold which might be OK, and to my eye, looks better than the one currently on your 89.
[](s1335.photobucket.com/user/regnimelf3717/media/IWC/AFB9D269-5A88-49B5-8523-D8D987E565D0_zps2gyitl9e.jpg.html)

Please contact via email if you would like to discuss further.

As the owner of a late 1940's IWC, I can confirm that IWC does indeed continue to service these watches. Mine looks somewhat similar to yours (though the lugs are clearly different and mine has a Milanese bracelet). I've included a few photos below:

[](s736.photobucket.com/user/WhistlerBC1/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsjrxo9brg.jpg.html)

[](s736.photobucket.com/user/WhistlerBC1/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpswh4f5vwl.jpg.html)

Wow...I just went back to check a photo of my watch before it went to IWC for service (see photo below) and they actually replaced the original crown with the 'wrong' version. I will have to contact them next week. What a bummer. If someone from IWC can contact me about this I would really appreciate it!

[](s736.photobucket.com/user/WhistlerBC1/media/IMG_9037_zpsksv84nhy.jpg.html)

Oops. It looks like IWC fitted the same crown as the one I currently have.

A few weeks ago I also sent an inquiry to Richemont South Africa asking them to confirm with IWC in Switzerland if the original crowns were still available. Now I know the answer.
They should have a good used crown in stock though...;)

I'm calling dibs on that one :)

Here's a quick reply based on continuous service in my shop on these calibre C89 vintage timepieces.

The original 'onion' shaped crowns have not been available for many many years and were replaced first with simpler looking gold filled or plated crowns (no logo). As the supply of such became depleted, IWC could not find a supplier nor was it feasible to reproduce them in gold-filled. IWC is now replacing the above mentioned 'onion' shaped crowns with a simple GOLD crown which understandably cost more but indeed adds value to the watch.

Hope this info is of help to you.

Regards,
Jack Freedman

Thanks Jack for the explanation, I suspected this would be the background.

Still think though that it is arguable that "value" is added. Maybe in terms of absolute gold value, but fitting non original parts to a classic watch is not adding value from my perspective despite being done by the OEM.

I'm sure it is done with the best intentions, but customers should be made aware I think.

I'm interested in other opinions on this subject.

Thomas

Agreed! IWC really disappointed me. My watch has been in my family since 1948 and changing it's appearance seems like a violation of my trust. Truth be told, I had it serviced by IWC at a cost that exceeded its commercial value only because of my emotional connection to the watch and the misplaced trust that I had in IWC to preserve the watch in its original condition.