VIRTUAL POCKET WATCH MUSEUM DAY 11, cal 52 "flower-case"

Oh the Beauty of it All

Tonny without doubt that silverwork is absolutely amazing, and I am enclined
to agree with you that the case was probabaly originally a Niello piece of
art.

I to have a similar intricate silver case timepiece, which would more than
likely belong in the same catagory.

Note the give away to the original Niello inlay on the crown stem (the black v
shapped inlay), as well as the red higlighted section of the bezel below,
where one can still also see traces of the Niello inlay.

The green circled texts is rather unusual (on an IWC signed dial) and it
reflects the name of the original jewler to which IWC sold this watch, namely
Galli Zurich. A company founded in 1882 and still in existance today.

However, this post is about Cal. 52 and odd and/or different cases.

The Watch

I have in my Collection a Cal. 52 which is housed in a very special case. We
know of gold and silver cases, elaborate purpose made cases with art work on
them for the Shooting Festivals (Schutzenfests) as well as engraved cases.
Also as we see in Tonny's post and my watch here today, examples of Niello
cases.

However, IWC also on rare occasions manufactured timepieces with special
bespoke cases "on order" for comercial companys.

This watch a Cal. 52 which is currently under restoration (so please excuse
the fact it's completely stripped down and in pieces) was manufactured in 1909
and bears the following inscription engraved on the inside case back.

So we see
that this watch was awarded by the Company based in Berlin to a Mr. Constant
Malers for 25 years of loyal service to the company, on the 5th of February
1910.

But, this post is about special cases and here below we see that the case was
bespoke and carried cast or stamped silver artwork on the back cover.

Watch was manufactured to order for the AB Steam Locomotive Company

and the Steam Locomotive depicted is a Type AB 2053

And of course it ''s Cal. 52 workhorse movement

Gentlemen, Thank You for showing beautiful Cal 52 watches with very
interesting cases.

For some years now, I have a Cal 52. The watch according to the archives has a
Wyss Bienne case and was sold in 1913 to Joseph Lang of Budapest, Hungary.

A shining example of Probus Scafusia.

a very elequant case fitted with a workhorse of a movement.

thank You Mark :o)

The inredible cal. 52/53

Cal.52/53 is no doubt the icon pocket watch made by IWC.

By collectors and experts it is sometimes called the 'blockbuster', the
'savior', the 'work horse' or the 'workers man Patek'. After the very
difficult start by F.A. Jones and F.F. Seeland, the factory was taken over by
the Swiss Rauschenbach families and thereafter the Hombergers During the first
20-30 years of its existence, IWC had made a remarkable number of different
pocket watch calibres, among them the Jones calibres, full plate (Boston)
watches by Seeland, three quarter plate calibres, digital (Pallweber)
timepieces etc. But the ultimate dream of IWC founder F.A.Jones was fulfilled
when the cal. 52/53 was developed. This was THE machine produced watch with a
sturdy, reliable movement of high quality and excellent sales figures. It
brought IWC in a comfortable financial position and proved to survive
difficult periods such as the WW I and the collaps of the stock market in
1929. And now we experience what a difficult period means. The last cal. 52
series were built in 1931. Nine years later a new disater came : WW II.
IWC adapted
once again to the situation and built military watches. As Switzerland
remained neutral IWC and other Swiss watches were much wanted by one one side
Germany, on the other side Great Britain. Both countries bought IWC pocket
watch movements of high quality : cal. 52.

However, there is something strange to be seen on the movement. In the centre
is a wheel visible which is normally absent. It is calibre 52 SC, where S C
stands for centre second. A total of 1200 were built ,or better rephrased
,adapted. The movements were all from 1931 and had not been sold. The central
second was applied and thereafter the movements were cased. The majority (
1000) movements were built in the famous B-Uhr pilot wrist watch, which was
worn by German pilots on the wrist or over the upper leg. The other 200 were
cased in a steel case and sold to the Royal Navy, where they served as a deck
watch.Regards,

Adrian,

(alwaysiwc)

I'm thoroughly enjoying these educational posts gentlemen! Really interesting
to read your complimentary contributions centered around a certain type of
caliber or casing.

Thanks again!

Bob