Recently I had the opportunity to get the attached piece from an acquaintance. However I do not have any paper relating to its mechanism, date and model.
Could you please help me to identify the model, date and the mechanism of the watch from attached pictures?
Also, the watch runs 2-3 minutes fast within a day. Would you recommend me to bring it to a qualified service point or would it be an acceptable error for such a mechanism?
Thank you all in advance for your help!
Aykun
Hi Aykun
That is indeed a Cal 83 which was made between 1930 and 1947. It's a wonderful movement and your IWC is beautiful.
The gain in time might indicate that the watch is due for a COR (Clean Oil Regulate) service. This can be done by either sending it to an IWC authorized dealer or a competent watchmaker. If you don't know anyone reliable, the best bet is to let IWC do it. Great acquisition !
Aykun, and as far as these Watches go... Yours is a beautiful example and the condition of the dial is simply stunning.
I agree with Marks' advise - definately get the Watch serviced by a competent watchmaker. Of you value its beauty and heritage, then do consider the investment to send it back to its roots and let the Wizards of Schaffhausen service it with full SPA - it will come back like New!
Movement: Yes c83 IWC
But:
From my point of view, is the case not original.
I also have some doubts if the dial is original. (Logo is 95% repainted)
The inside of the back cover would give a better impression of the case.
regards
watch77
Thank you for all those informative answers.
I was told that the back cover had an unfortunate accident thus, needed to be replaced with an aftermarket one but the case itself is its original. I also got the damaged cover but it's not actually in a good condition.
I do not have a good knowledge of this watch specifically so I do not know if the dial is an original one or not. However, when compared with the certified IWC reseller in my hometown, I was told that the dial seems identical to what it is sold on year 1945. Just me to understand the situation better, what are the signs of a non-original dial and painted logo?
For more detailed information about the parts, its genuinity, etc. I was told that I have to send the watch to the technical service.
After your comments, I will definitely send the watch to be serviced in a competent watchmaker.
Aykun
I agree with Watch77 and noticed that "A" in Schaffhausen is smaller than the rest of the script. Also, the subseconds track is dark and a little thick. These pointers indicate repainted dial, but I don't think they detract from the watch, so I don't mention it. Some dial repaints have the little golden dots, which are actually drilled in the dial, filled with paint. This has not occurred with your watch and is a good sign. I think it's a lovely example.
To declare a dial not to be original is not a white and black descision.
More a summ of details leeds to a probably "to be original" or to be "repainted", but sometimes ist is not possible without having the watch in your own hands. Its a question of experience and having seen (and precisely looked at) some hundreds or thouthands of dials.
But in this case it is a 95% "not original".
kind regards
Did you get this watch from Portugal?
This is almost centainly a watch imported into Portugal in 40's or 50's. To avoid taxes, only movement and dial were imported and then a gold case was fitted locally - 19K is portuguese gold and so must be the Hallmark on the bottom left lug. The dial, if my eyesight is not failing me, was also redone in Portugal but probably in the last 2 decades.
The watch is very good looking. enjoy it...
2 to 3 minutes a day can probably be adjusted without the need for maintenance although it is recommended you do so in the short term.
These watches were imported with steel cases which were stamped with the armadillo at Casa da Moeda (the Mint). The initial importation stamp was obliterated when the new new gold case was stamped at the Mint.
The case below belonged to a group of 288 IWC wristwatches ref 415 with cal 83, imported by Rodrigues e Gonçalves on January 1944 and discarded after the movement was cased in a gold case made in Portugal.
BTW, the dial has been repainted and I actually know who did it.
This has become a real educative and interesting post.
To borrow a phrase from a good friend "I'm always amazed to get to know what I did not know"!
Thanks for this interesting post gents.
This is up your alley. :-)
There was a very slight chance the steel case belonged to that watch but that was not to be the case. The ref 415 was sold to Portugal in 1944 and the cal 83 movement was manufactured in 1945.
As I said before - me, myself, I, If I owned that case, I'd be turning Portugal upside down to find the original movement!
Thank you very much for all those responses. It is truly being an informative and educative post here.
Unfortunately I got the watch in Istanbul, from a watch dealer that I know. He mentioned that they got this watch from a foreigner but also has no information if the watch originally bought in Portugal or not.
The watch actually has more of a story than I ever imagined! I just left the watch into a trustable and experienced watchmaker in order for him o perform the maintenance as I do not have any info on the date of the previous maintenance. In the meantime, he mentioned that he will try to adjust the watch with 5-10secs of error margins. Would that be an acceptable margin for such movement?
Lastly, do you think it would be possible to dig in and find the original movement/case of this watch itself in Portugal? I believe it will be like looking for a needle in haystack.
Best regards,
Aykun
Hi Aykun.
A needle in a haystack indeed, or mission impossible.
However, there is one collector who, by sheer tenacity and doggedness could actually do it, if he lived in Portugal. Fortunately he does not, otherwise I would always arrive late to the IWC jewels that surface locally once in a while. :-)
Indeed... a good friend used to say "you snooze - you lose"!