send a vintage IWC to IWC Schaffhausen for service?

Hello,

I while back I did a post on my 1955 IWC ref. 309, caliber 89.
Here you will find a link: www.iwc.com/forum/en/discussion/69884/

As I am suing this, already 62 year old watch as a daily watch, and with an unknown service history, I wanted to have the movement completely overhauled, so it is, fro a mechanical point of view in a as new condition.

Therefore, romantic soul as I am, I want to send he watch back to IWC Schaffhausen to have this done, the place where my watch was 'born' under the reign of Albert Pellaton and his assistant Kurt Klaus.

Woud it be possible to ask IWC Schaffhausen just to service the movement and replace the seals, perhaps also the perspex glass and to absolutely not polish the case, to not replace the dial and hands, because, from a cosmetical point of view I want to keep the watch as original as possible.
If they would return the watch with a polished case, new dial and hands, this would be her horror for me...

Anyone already has had experiences sending a vintage IWC back to the factory for a service?

Kind regards,

Christof

I tried sending my cal 89 back in Nov 2016 but it was ultimately rejected by Schaffhausen. they felt that my case was too worn out, and had concerns about damaging the case. I was hoping that they could do a "partial" service - case polishing was not a high priority for me- an overhaul and most importantly I wanted to see if they could source another dial for me.

bottom line, they will not do a partial service.

see my previous posts "rejected by Schaffhausen", and "hope this helps"

Any competent watchmaker can service a cal. 89 movement and clean the case, etc.

My advice would be to leave romance aside, and enjoy your (nice) watch after it has been serviced elsewhere.

Regards,

Tony C.

I have serviced mine 1974 Cal. 89 and had asked them not to change the dial and not to polish the back side of the case because it had some marks on it (made by my uncle trying to "service" the watch) and an engraving with my grandfathers name on it and they absolutely respected my wishes. In face you get a list of works your watch needs (some items on the list are mandatory in order to get the warranty and some items are up to you.

List of optional interventions for mine were
Replacement of hands
Hands replacement
Leather strap calf black
Pin buckle
Polishing
Certificate of authenticity

You need to make a specific note about your wishes when you hand over the watch to IWC representative.

This is mine before
www.iwc.com/forum/en/discussion/66123/

and after
www.iwc.com/forum/en/discussion/67015/

Hope it helps.

Service was fairly costly but well worth in my case as the watch is heirloom.

I agree 100% with Vojislavm and what he rights above is correct.

Tony C is correct in that any competant watchmaker should be able to service it - however I don't concur with his statement / advise of "forget the romance". Watches are emotion - and your writings and history of this watch ooze with it.

Send it "home" to the Wizards of Schaffhausen and give clear instructions in writing via your AD of boutique and get your family heirloom goodcto go for the next 60 years - complete with papers and a like new heart!