Greetings All. I came across this unhappy old AT ref 816 and thought to perhaps rehabilitate it. The movement is an 8541b, but I'm not sure about the case-back.
If it's a replacement back, would IWC still accept the watch for repair?
Thanks for benefit of your experience!
link to Flickr images: www.flickr.com/photos/10642718@N00/
I haven't seen that one before....
But you never know. The dial and hands look right, but I've never seen caseback like that. Usually they have the "ship" or the 1822s have a smooth back. Either way, they usually require a 12-sided wrench.
Larry
Very doubtful caseback
In addition to Larry's comments about known casebacks (see link below) and the twelve sided wrench, the case number is too low and the case back indicates tested to 5 atm, and I think the Aquatimer was initially tested to 20 atm and later 30 atm. I haven't been able to identify the case back but several manufacturers used Ervin Piquerez cases for their dive watches and it could have come from one of these.
I would be surprised if IWC would replace the case back. My first question is why has it been replaced? Has it been stolen and the caseback replaced to disguise its history?
Cheers from the cellar
Very doubtful caseback
"My first question is why has it been replaced? Has it been stolen and the caseback replaced to disguise its history?"
The case-middle does'nt look so bonny Cellar, a picture of it in it's entirety may correct me but from here it looks wrong.
IWC does replace case backs.
Have to disagree with cellar.
My 3536 had a full service at IWC in 2009 and came back with a new (!) caseback (the watch was in a pore condition). The funny thing was, they didn't engrave the number again in the new back.
..Kind of cool.. so I didn't bother (the number is still inside).
cheers
BAS Dekkers
today wearing a 3706 steel
IWC does replace case backs??
I think your case may be different - Did they replace a genuine, if damaged case back?
In the post above a non-genuine case back is seeking to be replaced - I don't think IWC will replace a non-genuine or missing caseback.
Cheers from the cellar
Further images would resolve any doubts (nt)
IWC does replace case backs - BUT NOT SERIALIZE !!
Correct - Schauffhausen will replace if neccessary a case back, but "replace" is the optimal word here I believe. ie, they get one they keep it (in the case of genuine original IWC case back) BUT I am pretty sure that they wont (re)engrave the original number onto it. As collectors, we do need to respect this approach by IWC -as it prevents rogues out there creating 2 "IWC's" out of a single unit and putting out (flogging) 2 x watches out there.
Best regards
Mark
or even .........
an input by IWC themselves on this matter?
Regards
Ivan
iwcforme
Genuine Case Back 816 - see example here...
Ezra, whilst IWC may or may not have used the same case back - if they did use another case back, they would have most probably have put a very similar set of information on the inside of the caseback, as on this caseback photo here (my 816 - please note I painted out the serial number which is at the bottom of texts in larger letters. See
www.flickr.com/photos/25419198@N03/?saved=1
Hope this helps.
Best regards
Mark
Genuine Case Back 816 - see example here...
Ezra, whilst IWC may or may not have used the same case back - if they did use another case back, they would have most probably have put a very similar set of information on the inside of the caseback, as on this caseback photo here (my 816 - please note I painted out the serial number which is at the bottom of texts in larger letters.
Hope this helps.
Best regards
Mark
Genuine 816 AD Caseback
Genuine Case Back 816 - see example here...
Thanks all for your input ...
I wish I had an image of the interior of the case-back but the seller says he is not able to provide one as he can't open the watch. Obviously, I could ask a motivated seller to find a watchmaker to assist but didn't want to put him to the bother if the chances of a purchase were slim.
Apparently based on input here, and for good reason, IWC won't repair a watch without an IWC case-back, so, given the obvious need for many NOS parts, my dreams of a restored AT from this deal are also slim :-(
Thank you, Mark, for the interior image of a genuine 816 back. I hope someday I can see something similar in the back of one of my watches :-)
Again, my thanks for everyone's contributions!
-Ez
