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IWC Ocean 2000 - Bund/VDO

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  • last reply by BRUSMAR 6 Jun 2011
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    Apprentice
    21 Jul 2010, 3:10 a.m.
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    I am searching specific information on the Bund's which went to the VDO executives. I have a caseback stamped 3509 and with a serialnumber within the Bund range but without Bund and NMN markings. Is there a logical explanation to this? The movement is also within the Bund range and is a cal 3572.
    Thanks.
    BR
    Klaus

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    Apprentice
    20 Jul 2010, 3:25 p.m.
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    IWC Ocean 2000 - Bund/VDO

    Typo...cal 3752 it is.

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    Moderator
    21 Jul 2010, 2:15 p.m.
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    an interesting question...I'll check

    ...but I would hazard to guess that, towards the end of production, there was some over-production which was not "sold" to IWC Germany (the Bund supplier) and which may have "leaked" out.

    I'll see if I can find out more.

    Regards,
    Michael

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    Apprentice
    22 Jul 2010, 5:15 a.m.
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    an interesting question...I'll check

    Thanks Michael.
    The point is actually that I would like to know if there is a match between the case and movement numbers or if this watch is put together (franken) by some watchmaker. Currently the watch looks like a 3504 with civilian dial, hands and bezel (and with no NMN markings on the caseback). If the watch is a Bund I would see if it was possible to get it back to it's original configuration.
    BR
    Klaus

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    Moderator
    21 Jul 2010, 8 p.m.
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    a friend at IWC gave me an unofficial answer

    Here's more or less what he wrote --not an exact quote and please don't consider this an "official" corporate statement:

    "It’s difficult to find out if any fiven Bundeswehr watch was delivered to the executives at VDO or PORSCHE DESIGN. With the case-number you might find some information in the archives for those watches were delivered to PORSCHE DESIGN in Salzburg.

    "The watches were delivered to the VDO executives had the same delivering-address as those which had been delivered to the Bundeswehr. However, the watches for the VDO executives are usually without the "Bundeswehr-Number".

    "But as you might know Service for the Bund-watches was not been done by IWC, since the Bundeswehr did had their own watchmakers. Moreover, I have noticed that there are a lot of marriages in the market which have been built from original parts of a Bund and parts from a civilian Ocean 2000 even with some movement-parts of ETA (not the modified IWC-parts). It is easy for some Internet-cheater to promote such a watch as "rare - especially for VDO executives".

    "The only way to check if it is original is to send the watch to Schaffhausen."

    Good luck,
    Michael

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    Apprentice
    22 Jul 2010, 5:50 a.m.
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    Thanks Michael.

    Are you aware of the procedure?
    My watch has the cal 3752.movement which only the Bunds had. Additionally the case and movement numbers are in the valid range for a Bund but without NMN markings. I am told the watch is from Dec 1986.
    I would like to bring the watch back to the original specs with correct dial, hands and bezel. At the moment it looks like a 3504.
    Would I need to send it to Switzerland? Do you know who I can write or speak to?
    BR
    Klaus

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    Moderator
    24 Jul 2010, 4:20 a.m.
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    I'm not sure of their spare parts here, but

    ...you really need to have the watch examined, when they can tell you what can be done and at what cost.

    The Service section of this website (under "distribution" at the boittom black task bar) says this:

    "Before sending your watch in for servicing, please get in touch with your local authorized IWC retailer, IWC Boutique or with an IWC service centre in your country.

    "When sending the watch by post, please note the following points:

    • If returning the watch to IWC from abroad, please write "Selbstverzollung durch den Empfänger" on the package ("Customs clearance by receiver")
    • Do not send crocodile skin straps from abroad as this may delay delivery times (species protection legislation)
    • Put plenty of padding in package to protect watch
    • Always send packages by registered post"

    Good luck,
    Michael

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    Apprentice
    23 Jul 2010, 8 p.m.
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    Thx again!

    BR
    Klaus

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    Apprentice
    6 Jun 2011, 10:43 a.m.
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    Good morning,
    I recently purchased a 2000 Ocean that I sent to your lab for a complete overhaul. Now rotating bezel has a special feature: at each second has a double stop. At the first the bezel is almost tight watch case, at the second pick up and leave completely uncovered fixing screws. This is normal?
    Thank you very much.
    Regards