The ref. 3303 bicolor / steel project

has started in 2013, but I've had the bicolor 3303 longer before.

Searching for a steel bezel and steel bracelet has taken a few years.

Now the project is finished except for the exchange of the crown. However, the
assembly of the steel belt was only possible with cutting deformation, see
photos. I finished the lugs with a file, because an angle of about 10 degrees
is required so that the lugs can move out of the rigid horizontal alignment.

Apparently the original bicolor bracelet was also reworked in a similar way.

Probably that was part of the mounting procedure at the time ?!

The use of the file worked perfectly and the steel bracelet fits now.

A new dial with silver indexes and hands is also an option, because a dial
with gold indexes and hands is currently installed, which I like very much.
Can never hurt to have another dial in reserve.

The fine gold value of the 14-carat bicolour band and the bezel is around 900
euros at the current gold price.

Bicolor was inexpensive, as I have bought it.

This very rare model now has quite a good performance for a quartz watch, the
price of this rare watch has tripled.

As a role model for all Ings. in the Genta design the conversion was worth the
effort, diameter and the design fit me perfectly. A great watch.

Even the orig. Box is available.

The coating of the dial consists of shellac, as is also used for records.
Unfortunately, I no longer have a turntable and cannot play the dial-record.
Wouldn't it be interesting to hear that vintage sound :-)

Best regards

Heiko

What a project, Heiko. I'm glad to see it worked out so well for you.

And I have a question: is that box the original for all the Jumbo SL watches-
or only the quartz model?

Nelson

Thank you Nelson.

This is an aprox. 10 years old post about the boxes topic.

Regards

Heiko

The "5 dot" - 3 hands - vintage Ingenieur boxes.

The documentation of IWC vintage boxes is not very informative yet.

The photo shows the boxes of vintage Ingenieur SL, Ingenieur SL pocket
watch, Ingenieur 500.000 A/m and Ingenieur Chronometer models. _ These
are just my thoughts about this topic and could be the base for a
discussion._

Would be fine, if it results to a clarification and we can really map those
boxes of the The "5 dot" - 3 hands - vintage Ingenieur models until the year
2000:

Nr. 1 = > Ing. SL, ref. 1832 and 3003:

Early produced watches were delivered with golden boxes.

Nr. 2 = > Ing. SL, ref. 1832 and 3003:

Later produced watches were delivered with black leather boxes.

Nr. 3 = > Ing. SL, ref. 3303:

Brown leather box.

Nr. 4 = > Ing. P.W. ref. 5215, second tranche.

Nr. 5 = > Ing. P.W. ref. 5215, first tranche.

Nr. 6 = > Ing. 500.000 A/m, ref. 3508, and ref. 3521.

Nr. 7 = > Other 34 mm Ings.

Regards

HEBE

Unbelievable project Heiko - Just WOW!!!!

Amazing result :o)

Not only a top master photographer but also a master watch (band) maker.

Where can you find such combination?

Look at www.forum.iwc.com

Adrian,

(alwaysiwc).

Heiko, you are a man after my own heart!

What a fantastic project (almost said
restoration - but of course it is neither a restoration or a customization -
rather a retrofitting).

I like the black dial, gold hand combination on the all steel case. I'd keep
it that way.

Great job Sir!

A funny aspect is, that the eraly 3303 had the same case than the 1832
(thicker than the 3303), so you could change the movement back to an 8541
movement. but the braclet was different I assume.

Kindest regards

Ralph

Thank you very much, Mark.

Well, I think this long term projekt was my very last IWC Vintage project and
I have had some others before. In review, all those restaurations and
retrofittings are very expensive and getting parts is nearly impossible now.

Indeed, the golden hands dial looks great and I will keep ist.

Regards

Heiko

P.S. I took this heavy breguet hands MULTI COLOR together with the 3303
bracelet out of
the bank safe for fresh photos.

@ralph

A funny aspect is, that the eraly 3303 had the same case than the 1832
(thicker than the 3303), so you could change the movement back to an 8541
movement. but the braclet was different I assume.

The cases and bracelets of 1832 and 3303 are identical.

Regrds

Heiko

what magnificence!!!

Sorry, a mistake in my former post, should be:

The cases and bracelets of 1832 and 3003 are identical !

@ralph

A funny aspect is, that the eraly 3303 had the same case than the 1832
(thicker than the 3303), so you could change the movement back to an 8541
movement. but the braclet was different I assume.

The cases and bracelets of 1832 and 3303 are identical.

Regrds

Heiko

Beautiful watch

Very very cool Heiko and great photography again! Did apply the file to the
case or bracelet?
That stiff, indeed almost 'horizontal', mounting to the case is why it doesn't
fit my small wrists.... I once passed upon a prime example with silver (!) and
black waffle dial for that reason ;-(

Regards, Bob

Thanks Bob,

only the bracelet needed that treatment with the file.

But some years ago, a 1832 bracelet has got a similar "tuning" ?!

Hope, the photos will show the details.

Regards

Heiko