Help with IWC Calibre Caliber 89

Hi All,

I just won this IWCfrom c. 1958 on eBay. I am very excited about it, it will be my first IWC, let alone caliber 89, and I want to start learning more about it right away!

• Is anyone able to comment on the reference?
• I was advised that all is original except the crown, which to my knowledge is common. And the dial is not a 're-dial'. Would anyone be able to confirm this?
• I noticed the seconds hand on mine is not as long as typical examples (hence my dire need to find out what the reference is for this bad boy).
• SWISS MADE is at the bottom of my example, which does not appear to be the norm to the SWISS.

Not to say that all Cal 89s have seconds hands that reach all the way to the dot markers, but it seems to be the rule not the exception (99%) from a Google search.

If anyone is able to confirm this that would be amazing. Thanks so much, so appreciated.

Cheers

There is no reference stamped in the caseback, which was common during this era.

Your watch resembles ref 573 or 574. I cannot be certain.

While the condition is very nice, The seconds hand does appear short and to be honest, I think the dial has been repainted. If you have any reservations, return the watch to the seller.

Thank you so much. Is there a book of references with photos archived somewhere?

Is anyone else able to help?

See my comment today on cal. 89 on another post.
As this excellent calibre has been buil by IWC almost a quarter of a million times, you will be not surprised that multiple variations of dials and cases show up. Watchmakers of IWC did not consider watches in those days as vintage collector items and so they did not stick to strict rules in using identical hands or dials if they had to be exchanged, as long as IWC parts were used. The newer the watch looked after the repair the better, the more shiny the case had been polished, the more happy the customer was!
From those years few catalogues and brochures are still available and certainly not all calibre 89 watches have been documented properly by IWC or collectors.
Regards,
Adrian,
(alwaysiwc)

Thank you so much! Now to find one...

Can anyone point me in the right direction?
eBay, chrono24 are not yielding any good examples for a reasonable price.

Hello all
I have a very old working iwc stainless with caliber 89
I wish to raplace it's Dial
Where can i find a dial-original or in good condition?
Thanks
Robert

Hi,

I have a 1954 Calibre 89 - Runs fine but the centre seconds pinion is missing - I understand that there are two different lengths for this calibre 5.8mm and 6.05mm - According to my watchmaker there's only one listed - Trying to find out the facts, I can lay my hands on a 5.8mm but obviously don't want to end up buying the wrong pinion - Can anyone please advise?