Hello folks! Most of the regulars of this forum probably know of my recent adventures to Schaffhausen to get my 1886 IWC Pallweber restored by the Service Department at IWC, but what you might not know is that is not my only IWC. I must admit I am a novice IWC collector but that is not to say I haven’t admired IWC watches and movements for years. Being a vintage watch collector, over the years you gain an eye for what truly is a fine watch. You come to have a personal check list of what to look for in a truly classic time piece. Condition is important, but that’s not to say everything has to be mint. An old watch should clearly have been taken care of, and lightly worn, but patina and age is not a defect if it does not detract from the beauty of the watch. For example I have a watch I truly love. It is a 1952 IWC Cal.852 in stainless steel. The watch is completely original with the exception of the crystal which was badly crazed and had to be replaced. The dial and hands were lumed, probably with a radium charged lume which has long ago burnt out, and as a result of the radium, the dial has gone spotty. The numbers are a toasty colour and the hands are remarkably fine and blued. Now some might say a spotty dial should be replaced, but I disagree. This dial has taken on the finish of fine parchment. and in my eyes is truly gorgeous. This is the type of finish only luck and time can produce, and it is something I would never change. So today as I found myself admiring the face of this watch I though I should take some pics to share it with you. There are alot of pics that I hope you’ll enjoy.
My set up for those interested.
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I hope you enjoy looking at this watch as much as I do!
Cheers, Tom.
