Starting with a simple quiz (for pocket watchers only)

Dear pocket watch fans.

Recently I stepped over a picture, making me some headaches.

.

This is a click system wich is used in IWC pocket watches. Assuming it is a
hunter type movement. Which caliber (or are there calibers) could be hidden
behind this picture.

good luck.

Watch77

I think some Cal 55 and Cal 56 came with the click hidden under the plate.

HI Watch77

Caliber 58 savonette i guess. I lloked it up in the Fourniturenliste but there
of course the ratchet wheel is fixed with 3 screws instead of one.

br
Cromagnonman

The reponses goes in the correct direction.

Ther is and will be all the time a big confusion about the caliber number's
and probably names.

Starting with the simples one. Lepine c.55 = Lepine c.Schaffhausen.

It exists 3 main versions of this movement 1888, 1893 and 1894. Only the
version 1894 has the has the requested "click system"

Here a sample with special decoration probably for the US market: (c.55 18
lig. Mod 1894)

Then there is the savonette "pendant" of this c.55, the c.58 18 lig Mod.1894
(initial caliber number)

The next caliber having this click system is the Sav. c.56 / Lep. c.57
pair also Mod 1894 (alse here the initial caliber numbering). I do not name
this caliber family as "americaine" . This was only an specification of the
caliber
to the market for the first series (1889-1891), as there where some special
features for the planned US-customer.

The c.56 18 lig. Mod 1894 was not more an "americaine" but had the simple
click system.

So now the quiz question again:

Can you imagine an other hunter pocket watch movement (18 lig Mod 1894) which
used that simple click system?

Regards Ralph

Sorry, you know, when I post such a silly questions, I know already the
answer.

Yes, there is such a movement. Behind the recognition of this movement type
there is
a strange story. Some years ago, when I was moving some of my watches from
one stock tray type to a new one, I opened every watch to have a look at. That
time I saw a short moment a c. 52/53 type watch with different click
system, that oneof a c.57. Without thinking too much I kept in mind:"Aha,
there is a cheaper c. 52/53 version too".

Some years later, I wanted to examine that subject in depth.

I opened all the caliber 52 I have in my collection (some more than 3), but I
could not find that specific movement again and I gave up. Then, about a year
later, I was scrolling not too motivated through auctions with "simple" IWC
watches in the internet and: "Hmmm what is this! A c.53 with the searched
click system!". A check with the Tolke list indicated: "Sav. c. 53. 19lig. H7
Mod 1894"; nothing special. Finally I could buy the watch.

One or two weeks later, I received the watch. I

Nothing but the click system seemed to be special.

But comparing the movement closer with an other c.53 19 lig Mod 1894 showed
the
difference.

The movement is smaller and there is no space between the edge of the movement
and the winding wheels for the normal click system...

It has to be a caliber 53 18 lig. But nowhere in the tolke list there are 18
lig c.53 for the between 1894 and 1904 except one serie 18/19 lig 276'601 -
277'200.

So it seems that some of the movements in certain series of the 19 lig series
are 18 lig. (probably not only the found serie).

An information of the IWC museum confirmed.... In the movements book on the
first page of the 118'501-119'100 list, the 19"' is crossed out and corrected
to 18"'. Maybe approx. 100 pieces of that serie where built as 18'''. (I have
seen other 118'xxx c.53 with the normal click system).

So now the call for your help. Could you check your c.53 19 lig Mod 1894
movements/watches to find other series which got some 18 lig movements.

Thanks Ralph

Fascinating Ralph :o)

Dear Tonny

Thank you for the picture, The c.56 (initial numberig resp) resp c.58 (newer
numbering). I think a 19 lig. (I can't read the serial number).

In the c.56/58 bith diameters (18 lig. and 19 lig) had the same click system.

In the c.53 inly the 18 lig had. this (/easier/cheaper) system. I think there
are less than 1000 pieces of the c.53 18 lig (really just an estimation, as
you rarly see them)

regards

Ralph