Help with this IWC Cal89 I just got

Hi

I am new to the forum. I recently got this and really like it...its in an 18k
case apparen tly but unmarked apart from LL and some lion head with a 4 on the
case back - I was told it might be from South America?. Cal89 has an early
serial number I think. Around 1949? Can anyone tell me more about it. There is
some slight damage on the dial but I dont want to do anything yet. Is it
original?It
keeps absolutely amazingly accurate time. I have not had it serviced or taken
anywhere yet. I am based in New York.

Just to add...I found it in a old box of stuff in an old antique shop! All I
have done is give it a quick polish and put it on a strap....I have been
reading up on this and with the gold situation after second world war some of
the watches sent abroad had gold cases made locally. Is that correct?

Awesome find, very nice watch.

The movement number dates to 1947, but could have been cased up much
later. To tell you more, we need to see the inside of the case and it's
number, if there is one.

Hands, dial and crown look correct to me.

Thanks!

1947 is older than I thought. This is the same movement in the Mk11?

Yes I got it for a good price I think. Pic shows what it looked like when I
got it. The case has nothing - no marks at all - totally plain back and just
these marks shown on the inside. SO either it was recased sometime or it had
one made locally....the movement looks really clean and runs like a dream.
Dial has a silver finish with gold numbers and dots. The crown I guess was
rose gold but now shows more as yellowish. Good you think hands and dial are
original. And it has fixed lugs.

Thanks for the additional picture, but as you say, there is no additional
information.

Cal 89 is indeed the base movement for MarkXl, but was modified with Hacking
seconds. Many MarkXIs we're further modified with "Incabloc" or other shock
protection systems.

Do you think it is worth doing an Extract of Archive? If I could get an idea
on time and cost I might do it.

I did it with an old Vacheron but it wasn't much use to be honest other than
date of manufacture.

My general opinion of 'Extract from Archives' is that it is not worth the cost
unless the watch is extremely rare or of significant value.

However it does provide peace of mind and if that is important to you then by
all means request one.

How much is it in US? Can anyone show me an example of the information
included please.