Hello!! I need your recommendation for servicing or restoring my IWC Grand
Prix Milan 1906 pocket watch. It has been in my family since my great
grandfather and I would like to make it work again!!! However, it seems to me
is very important that it does not loose its collectors or historical value in
the restoration process.
I woould appreciate your experience and advise. Thank you!
In 1851 the World Exhibition of London proved to be the best opportunity to
show new inventions and extraordinary goods to the world public.
IWC realised that they should be present at such expositions and took part of
the World exhibition in Sydney 1879 ( 7th place), Amsterdam 1883 ( bronze
medal), Paris (1900) and Milan (1906). In Milan the highest ranking was
achieved : a gold medal. Many watch cases were decorated as yours in the years
thereafter.
Later in time the annual Swiss Industries Fair in Basel was the place to show
new watches. And nowadays the SIHH in Geneva was added. This will take place
in Geneva and several collectors and many wholesalers and retailers will visit
it.
Your decoration is not unique but one of many from the era. Nevertheless it is
an expression of the quality of IWC pocket watches.
Regards,
Adrian,
(alwaysiwc)
ADRIAN VAN DER MEIJEN, thank you for your comments. I have found in internet
very few IWC pocket watches but only in 14K, none in 18K like mine. However,
my concern is that IWC is charging me an important amount of money to restore
it, and I do not know if making it will make it llose its collectors value or
not. Also, I would not like to invest a lot of money into something that
after the process will not be worth what I invested. I need advice!!
In most cases a skilled watchtmaker can repair and service your watch .
IWC will deliver an outstanding job, but it will cost 4-5 times more.
Regards,
Adrian,
(alwaysiwc).