Looking for some information about my 8531 ingenieur.

Hello folks,

I wonder if anyone could help me with some information about my watch. I inherited it back in 1990 with an old speedmaster, but it got put in a drawer and forgotten. I recently found it again and i feel like I'm looking at it through different eyes. It's such an elegant watch! It has quite an aged dial with a speckled patina over it but i quite like it showing it's age. The seconds hand is a bit jerky but it keeps time very well, gains a minute or so over a week. I believe the case is gold, perhaps 14k? That is all i know! I'm considering treating it a service, but I'm undecided weather or not to get the dial and hands replaced to make it like new? Like i said i quite like the aged look, but does that effect its value much? What do you good people think? It is certainly getting a new strap very very soon! Also is there a way i can find the value of this watch?
Many thanks in advance.
Jeremy

case no. 156414
cal 8531
movement no. 1529543

Not sure if this is how add photos?

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Welcome to the Forum

Here is your image

I extracted the address from what you posted above.

I'd leave the dial and hands as they are, they add to it's character and most collectors prefer to have the watch in original condition if possible.

I would treat it to a service because the oils will be a bit dry by now. Check your case number - I suspect you may have missed a digit.

And How to ... post images

Cheers from the cellar

Jeremy, welcome.

Listen to worthy forumer the cellar and more, if you change the hands now that would decrease the value of the watch!

Please, take care of it as it looks original and in excellent conditions but don't change a thing on this wonderful example of Ingenieur, one of the greatest watch (and most famous) made by IWC.

I can only reiterate what Greg and Roberto already said. She is an early Ingenieur, from the good old days when the name had meaning, and ought to remain as much as possible as she was. A movement overhaul is highly recommended but the dial, hands, and case must remain original. An IWC strap and a vintage buckle would add to her appeal, and value.

A beauty queen with a bad nail... is still a beauty queen

Hi, Jeremy:

First, Welcome to the wonderful world of IWC fanatics!

Next, Congrats on having elicited a response from Cellar, our incredibly knowledgable AND helpful Forum member from Down Under. Chances are, before long you will also be hearing from our redoubtable Forum Moderator, Michael Friedberg.

Finally, as a lover of black-dialed watches, I am especially impressed by the beauty of this particular IWC. While I certainly agree about keeping the original dial and hands, I would hope that the repair people at Schaffhausen could restore them to pristine condition. They have an excellent reputation in that regard.

Why not post pictures when you get the watch back from Schaffhausen!?!?

Cheers!

Donald

Thankyou so much for all your knowledge!
You are right, I did miss a number from the case. The last digit has worn off slightly.
I will get this lovely watch back to Schaffhausen for a bit of TLC and i will be sure to post images when it returns.

Thanks again and kind regards,

Jeremy

Jeremy,
Looking forward to seeing the pics after its' return from Schaffhausen.
Regards,
Kevin

I have checked all the drawers in my home and office and unfortunately I hadn't forgotten a splendid original Ingenieur. I used to own its predecessor - a Calibre 852 black dialed Ingenieur which was in similar condition and I loved it as it was.