Identify IWC Ingenieur 50s

Your text to link here...Hello all,

I'm not only new to the IWC community, despite that I'm a complete beginner in vintage watches. Nevertheless, I want to make my first purchase of an IWC 50-70s. To be honest, the variations and information in the internet are a little bit overwhelming. Nevertheless, it is interesting how nuances can change a watch and make it more or less attractive.

So far, my first point of contact with an IWC was at a small shop specialized in vintage watches. I really fell in love with the IWC Ingenieur they sold and did some research since then. However, as a complete beginner I only took one picture (see attached link) and remember that it is from the 50s.

Can someone help me to identify the watch and give me maybe some more information? I would guess it might be an 853 ref 666a. The authorized seller told me it is very rare and in original condition, but yes he nearly could tell me everything.

Unfortunately we cannot help you to idenfy an Ingenieur just by one picture.
We need images from the movement, the movement number and the case number.
Regards,
Adrian,
(alwaysiwc).

As I got some more information and was able to take further pictures, maybe someone is able to tell me now a little bit more about this watch? I really like it and think I'll buy it.

IWC Ingenieur
year 1957, CAL 852, factory number 1.364.933

link to pictures:
www.dropbox.com/s/bea1bzvbfcl9yjg/IMG_0679.JPG?dl=0
www.dropbox.com/s/10w8ag3xptkh7kk/IMG_0674.JPG?dl=0
www.dropbox.com/s/cterjp5ll88kfat/IMG_0676.JPG?dl=0

Check this site The IWC Ingenieur for all you wanted to know about the vintage Ingenieur, but were afraid to ask.

Before jumping on this Ingenieur, read the article that Antonio (Clepsydra) posted for you. Study the dial styles and scripts and compare those to the dial of the Ingenieur in the store.

It is very important to get one that has an original, untouched and unrestored dial.

Why ?

Mark, your question hits the nail.

So, lets think about the pros and cons of old dials with radioactive lumes.

Pros:

• Authenticity

Cons:

• Old dials with radium - and tritium based lumes are critical:

• • Mostly the lumes get crumbling after many decades of years.
• • Those crumbles can impair the movement and affect the surface of the dial.
• • And MUCH MORE importent, the crombles can get into the lungs when the watch is opened !!!

Another problem are the soft iron dials mounted in Ings. and Marks.

• Many of those old dial have tiny spots of rust and those spots are spreading during the years. No way to stop it without damaging the authentic dial.

So, I as an pragmatic collector would prefer modern dials in old watches.

Storing dismounnted old dials in save environment is my personal way to handle it.

Or old luminous substance was replaced by SL, the authentic dial can be used with new SL lume.

Regards

Heiko

I make reference particularly to this example, the watch shown by OP, I was trying to be subtle, but in response to your question, by staying with unrestored dials, I did not say Factory Replaced dials.

One won't be faced with INGENIEUR script like this, which has very clearly been poorly done, as well as those lume plots.
[](flic.kr/p/21CaUDL)IMG_0007_preview by regnimelf

It’s always a discussion point - and most certainly Mark F has a valid point of view.

So let’s start with the dial on this watch - clearly, a redial and/or replacement. Probably an IWC at its core (given the concave shape) but definitely redone - and if I may say so, rather poorly :-(

So, does one walk away from the watch? A watch that is clearly of a type that can be considered to be an icon timepiece - and where these pieces are quiet scarse, and not readily available at every corner watch shop? From my perspective and as Mark F alludes, it’s always better to try find one with an original not redone dial. But NOS Inge’s or near mint pieces rarely come up these days and when they do they are fairly pricy! So not within reach for many. Of course if you can locate such a piece with original dial at a reasonable price and within your budget GO THAT ROUTE.

However, HEBE too raises valid points. I’m not a purist and I too would opt to replace any original dial I had on my Inge with a newer MANUFACTURER dial out of Schaffhausen - keeping the original safely locked away for prosperity. In fact, while many want to maintain the patina and look of a vintage timepiece I’d probably opt to buy a watch just like this, and send it to Schaffhausen for a SPA - allowing those Wizards of Schaffhausen to redo it, complete with new / replacement dial and case reconstruction/laser fill and polish to like new! After all it’s still a full iwc made and restored in Schaffhausen.

Couldn't agree more with Hebe.

I'm a proud owner of two 666AD cal. 8531 , a black and a silvered dial.
Both of them are service dials, the black is a modern luminova dial and the silvered is a tritium one.
I'll try to upload some pictures this weekend of these two gems :)