Help required! What have I bought?

Hello one and all - very nice to meet you!

I recently purchased a watch which was advertised as an IWC c83. However, there are a couple of things about it that make me wonder whether it really is a c83 or a Frankenwatch of some kind. I would be truly grateful for your help in identifying it!

The most obvious thing (to my completely inexpert eyes!) is that the movement is unsigned. The "DateYourIWC" website tells me that the serial number, 916686, belongs to a 64T movement, and this looks very similar to the 64T movements that come up in a Google image search. (They are also unsigned - is this normal for a 64T?)
Does anyone have any opinions on whether this is in fact a 64T movement, and were these ever coupled with the type of dial you see here?

The second anomaly is the dial itself. Another image search shows this dial being used on plenty of c88s, but no c83s. I am a newcomer to IWC and still learning about all these things, but does anyone know whether c83s were ever produced with this dial (or 64Ts, for that matter)?

The third thing that does not seem right is the case number, 1172977. From DateYourIWC, this number dates from around 1949, whereas the serial number on the movement dates from 1929.

Can anybody help me figure out whether this is a c83, or a 64T being sold as a c83, or whether it is just a Frankenwatch of various IWC parts? The seller was honest with me about the crown being replaced, so I have no reason to think that they are dishonest, just genuinely mistaken in what they were selling. Fortunately I paid with PayPal, so it shouldn't be too difficult to get a refund if the watch is a Franken.

Sincere thanks to you all for your help!

Definitely not a cal. 83. Possibly a cal. 63 or 64, but I'm no expert on those early movements.

Regards,

Tony C.

Thank you very much for your help, Tony!

Do you think it's possible that this type of dial was ever used on cal. 63 or 64 watches, or is this more likely to be a complete Frankenwatch?

You are welcome.

That dial is likely from the '40s, judged by the large sub-dial and markers, and the case number is from the mid-'40s. So, as the cal. 83 began production in 1935, I'd say that the movement is a mismatch with that case and dial. So yes, almost certainly a Franken.

Also, if the movement serial number begins with a three, then it dates to 1900-1905.

Regards,

Tony C.

Hi I think the movement (most probably sold 1929/1930 also in a wrist watch) was recased in an IWC-Watch with a brokem movement.
The diameter 12 Lig and the height H4 are the same for c.83/c.64

Wrist watches from the 1930's looked a bit differernt....

When you overlap a c.83 to a c.64T you see, the screew for fixing the movement in the case are in different places.

Kind regards

Ralph

Hi, yes it's Savonette 64T caliber on a case and dial from the 40's. Rgds, Frederico

Thank you very much for all of your help and expertise Tony, Ralph and Frederico!

Ralph, the information about the similarities between the c.83 and the c.64T is very interesting and revealing. Your hypothesis sounds very likely to me - a movement which almost matches, being used to replace a damaged c.83.

I have contacted the seller and passed on the information which you have so kindly given me - just have to wait and see now what they say!

Many thanks to you all! :)

I just wanted to update this to thank you all once again for being so generous with your time and expertise. I truly appreciate it, I can assure you!

The seller has apologised to me for unknowingly selling a Frankenwatch, and she has offered me a full refund. I really couldn't ask for anything more. Here's to good, honest sellers!