• Apprentice
    9 Oct 2020, 10:02 a.m.

    Hello!

    I inheritated an old IWC pocket clock, build in 1908.

    1)

    Here is the inner side of the back
    lid:

    You'll find the same signs on the inner side of the lid of the clockwerk (see
    below) . Above the 0,800 you'll find upside down a handmade gravure „34723" .
    At 2 O'clock: handmade gravure „3187 S."

    Signs at the inner side of the clockwerk-lid:


    I hope, you can give me some information about the hallmarks and the handmade
    gravures.

    Thank you in forward!

  • Master
    9 Oct 2020, 8:30 p.m.

    Hi Charly49,

    The marks in the case are Swiss marks for silver.

    0, 800 is the content of silver ( 80 % pure) which is less than sterling
    silver.

    The bird is a grouse, indicating that the case has been made in Switzerland.

    The crown is also a mark indicating the same.

    These silver cases were made in Switzerland in case factories but not by IWC.

    But it is 100 % sure the original case used by IWC.and made in 1908 or 1909.

    The number is the case number and should be different from the number on the
    movement.

    Regards,

    Adrian,

    (alwaysiwc)

  • Apprentice
    11 Oct 2020, 5:58 a.m.

    Many thanks for those informations. In a silver-marks-forum I found :

    In this silver forum I'm searching for the maker's mark "grouse".

    Do you know anything about the handmade marks? Are the engravings made by a
    mechanic - concerning a revision or repair?

    Greetings from Germany - near Hamburg.

  • Insider
    11 Oct 2020, 11:32 a.m.

    Hi Charly49,

    the Grouse stamp is a Swiss hallmark for 800/1000 silver, see pic of swiss
    hallmarks below.

    the marks done by hand are typical watchmakers signs. Each watchmaker has its
    special code to record service and repairs.

    greetings from the Black Forrest

    Cromagnonman

  • Master
    11 Oct 2020, 12:21 p.m.

    Guten Tag Charly 49,

    There is extensive literature about the hallmarks of watch cases.

    An expert on this is David Boetsscher from the UK.

    He has made a number of publications, also on this Forum.

    You can visit his website : : www.vintagewatchstraps.com

    (Stamps are never used by watchmakers or repairers : they scratch codes with a
    sharp pin inside the case lids, many times hardly readable.)

    Regards,

    Adrian.

    (alwaysiwc).