Hi all,
since some time i am trying to find information about the Cal. 70 movement. This calibre looks different than the typical IWC movement of teh same period. Only 4800 pcsof this calibre where made. Was the movement design made by IWC or was it bougth externally? Why was this kind only used for Cal 70 ?
Is there som background information somewhere
Maybe you Mr. Ehrismann know something ?
Thanks for contributing
Wolfgang Schmidt
I'll see what I can find out....
A tricky question, since there's only a few people at the factory with detailed historical knowledge of uncommon models from over 50 years ago.
I would add that the movement was the first IWC's wristwatch movement with a flat balance spring, which lends credence to your theory. Also, not only is its bridge layout uncharacteristic of IWC, but the dimensions differ from other movements before and after it. It would be unusual (although not impossible) for any company to design and produce small metal parts in limited quantities, without borrowing from prior designs or using them them later.
Perhaps you're right --I'll see if I can get more information.
Regards,
Michael
partial info ...
Hi Michael and all,
Here is some info for calibre 70:
Size = 12 ligne
Diameter = 26.5 mm
Height = 3.85 mm
Jewels = 15
BPH = 18,000
Shock = Incabloc
Although calibre 70 is a rare movement it immediately reminded me of a much better known calibre, C89, which some parts interchange.
Look closely at calibre 89 (I'm sure its photo is posted on the forums) and you'll see a structural resemblance on the dial side as well as the train side albeit the C89 has more train bridges. And both movements are 12 ligne. Is this any coincidence? I think not. As was mentioned, IWC made good use of an earlier plan using some parts in a later calibre's production.
Definitely a purchased Peseux move
....if you compare it with this c.310 . The original entry in the IWC ledgers for this watch Ref. 2770 reads caliber 7010 which is undoubtedly a numbering of Peseux movements.
May be c.70 is the predecessor of the c.310 basing on a Peseux 7000 (?).
I would like to ask Christian Niemann to provide us with the exact details.
Nice Greetings from Germany
Friedrich Wagener
Whow that becomes very interesting!
Thank you Jack and Michael,
you are right, comparing the barrel bridge of Cal 89 and Cal 70 bring up some interesting similarities (is that correct english?) the positions of the screws and holes is somehow identical. And even more interesting, look at the keyless works it is the same. I cannot imagine, that a movement that is not constructed inhouse uses the same keyless works as Cal 88 or 89.
I think i should revise my assumptions about the originator of the design of this movement. I now assume it is inhouse.
But why was this kind of movement design then abandoned. Even the decoration of this movement is total untypical for IWC movements of this aera.
Maybe this design was is the handwriting of a specific technical director of that time
thanks a lot
Wolfgang
Now i am in doubt about Peseux
Hi Friedrich
thanks for your information, you can see why im in doubt of Peseux as a movement originator from my reply above. I also think the Peseux 7000 Caliber family was started after 1946 where the last Cal 70 where made.
also Greetings from Germany
Wolfgang
You should be: it's not (official word)
I just heard from Schaffhausen. The movement is in-house and here's the story:
"The calibre 70 was made as a "cheap-version" of the calibre 88 with two bridges instead of the 4 bridges of the cal.88 and a flat balance. By the way: this movement had nothing to do with the calibre 310 which was made much later and based on the Peseux 7010 even though it might look the same at the first view. The calibre 70 is much older and based on the construction of the calibre 88."
Regards,
Michael
It is in-house; please see my post below
It was very astute of Jack to see the similarities between the Cal. 88 and Cal. 70. Please see my post later in this string.
Thanks a lot everyone
now i love my Cal 70 watch even more this is the rarest one i have with respect to my Cal 93 watch of wich oly 1200 where made.
Wolfgang