Afternoon all, new to the forum but looking forward to contributing.
I was wondering if anyone could help me with a query i have around the Serial
Numbers for IWC Ocean 2000 BUNDS
I am looking for one from 1988, and i am trying to figure out the serial
number range for that year. Would really appreciate some information.
Thanks in advance
Alex
This could be difficult to tell as the calibre used was a modified and
improved ETA movement.
The same ETA movement was used in the Ocean Bund series, in the PD Compass
watch and ( I guess) also in the PD Ultrasportivo.
The archives ( date your iwc) povide just the calibre movement number and the
case number but there is no link to the model in which the calibre has been
mounted.
Regards,
Adrian,
(alwaysiwc)
Apologies in advance if this doesn't help. With the IWC Porsche Design Titan
chronograph, the production date can be estimated from the serial number
engraved on the caseback using the "Date Your IWC" website (http://moeb.on-
rev.com/dyIWC/dyIWC.irev). In fact, it only
recognizes my case number. It
stated the movement number was only traceable to movement number 2 265 400,
which would precede anything from 1988.
I think a user would need to "reverse engineer" a result. For example, when I
input a case number (without a movement number) of 2 405 678 (random), it
returned a result stating "the case was most probably produced resp. delivered
around 1988," and showed a range 1988-1990 with a serial number range 2 400
000 to 2 450 000. It also states "External evidence-not confirmed by IWC, but
deducted from datable watches."
Maybe seek out a complete kit (box/papers, etc.) and ask the seller what the
date is on the warranty card? Of course, that only reflects the sale date but
maybe it will get you close.
Good luck finding a 1988 Ocean 2000!
Edit: ooh. Just re-read your post and you are looking specifically at BUNDS.
You'll need more luck! I am finding that very few records are available (more
likely that IWC is not interested in researching and providing records)
especially with regard to the IWC-Porsche Design line. Still, I wish you the
best!
Adrian
Thanks very much, appreciate your help and taking the time to reply
Thats an interesting point to look across the PD range
so far I've narrowed it down to the 24XXXXX - 25XXXXX
However I have noticed a few sale that don't fit in that range
Alex
Bryan
thanks for the message, really appreciate the advice
I like that idea to reverse engineer the serial number, will give it a go.
My concern, from looking at watches for sale and their advertised dates. Is
that the serial numbers may not of run consecutively
regards
Alex
1988 is probably closer to 2 400 000 than 2 500 000. And yes, there are always
outliers. With the Titan that I enjoy researching, much of what IWC created in
the early examples was improved over their 15 year existence. Many early
examples were refitted with the newer parts (dials and bracelets in
particular), making finding a specific original example very difficult.