• Apprentice
    9 Aug 2017, 11:41 p.m.

    Dear connoisseurs,
    I got this pocket watch in my hands a month ago. I wound it up and it worked like a charm. Now I would appreciate help in identifying model and year of manufacture as it will help in figuring out which relative was the first owner.

    As you can see from the photo there is no IWC marking on the dial, only some repaired damages. Possibly dial and hands have been replaced.
    [www.pixeltopic.com/thumbnail/owexmofludrmncg/](www.pixeltopic.com/image/owexmofludrmncg/)
    Picture of front

    The casings both lids are stamped with serial number 552 77 0 C, "Probus Scafusia", a crown, and silver content surrounded by a two birds. Are those birds grouses and what do they represent? There are also some scribes in the outer lid.
    [www.pixeltopic.com/thumbnail/szjauoidpawenz/](www.pixeltopic.com/image/szjauoidpawenz/)
    Picture of stamps

    I've not been able to deduce what calibre it is as there seems to be differences to the pictures I've found. But the number is 515076, followed by a cross and 31457.
    [www.pixeltopic.com/thumbnail/dgumuwktoeqfkp/](www.pixeltopic.com/image/dgumuwktoeqfkp/)
    Picture of works
    [www.pixeltopic.com/thumbnail/mktytgqjutrnhtc/](www.pixeltopic.com/image/mktytgqjutrnhtc/)
    Picture of number

    I hope that there is someone that can help me dating this piece as it would add to the provenance of this pocket watch. Let me know if more pictures are needed.

    Much obliged,

  • Master
    10 Aug 2017, 12:20 a.m.

    Here is what I have found using the "date your IWC" app:

    Findings and tentative datings for:
    Movement number 515,076
    Case number 552,770

    Main findings:
    Summary
    The movement is a LÈp. calibre 52, dating from the year 1911.
    The case was most probably produced resp. delivered around 1913.
    Valid entry in "Index of Movement Numbers"
    1911 514,001-515,200 Lép. c. 52 - 19lig. H 6
    Valid entries in "Index of Case Numbers"
    1910-1920 466,000-758,000 current IWC index compatible with old list from 2001
    1912-1913 550,000-600,000 old IWC index compatible with new case index of 2002

  • Apprentice
    14 Aug 2017, 8:47 p.m.

    Dear Ben,

    Thanks for your prompt reply.
    I wasn't aware of that there was an app for this purpose.

    Based on your findings I can conclude that this watch was first owned by my mother in law's grandfather who was a Captain based in the southern part of Sweden.

    Thanks again,

  • Master
    14 Aug 2017, 9:44 p.m.

    CTL, Some things about your watch.

    The fact that it has no IWC on the dial, does not necessarily mean that that is not the original dial! In fact many watches left Schaffhausen with no International Watch Co. logo on the dial.

    Unfortunately the dial has indeed been damaged and will need to be replaced in order to restore this more than 100 year old watch to former beauty.

    Also, that very fact - that's it's 100 plus years old means that probably you should bring it to any competent watchmaker to have it serviced. Please do not run it without checking that it's proberly oiled and lubericated.