• 3 Apr 2020, 3:57 p.m.

    As some of you know, I am collecting pocketwatches, IWC only.

    Far from saying that my collection is a museum collection but I am proud to
    have found some nice and rare pieces over time.

    Some of the pocketwatches are common, easy to find on the market, sometimes in
    better condition than mine, but some I have are gems.

    So in these crazy times, as the museum in Schaffhausen is closed, why not open
    one here on the forum.

    As long as the museum is closed, I will post here daily a pocketwatch from my
    collection.

    I hope I don't run out of pieces before the virus is beaten. Fingers crossed
    for all of us.

    I will post them in a random order, with some comments, feel free to join.

    Keep safe all.

    DAY 14 :

    The IWC catalogue of 1974 showed us some flashy designs, but also a
    minimalistic pocketwatch, the ref 5300.

    The ref 5300 , only 45mm big, has the cal 972 inside, a slim steel case and
    came in different designs of dials.

    There was one with Roman numerals, one with a Portuguese style dial ( and
    lancet hands ) and this one, pure minimalism.

    On the pricelist of April 1, 1974 we see a price tag of 640 CHF, for
    comparison, the Yachtclub I in steel in the same catalogue, costed 830 CHF.

    And a ladies watch from that catalogue.

  • Master
    3 Apr 2020, 3:59 p.m.

    Indeed Tonny, the Ref. 5300 is sheer elegance in it's very clear and
    minimilistic lines. I have one and the same watch in my collection also in
    Staybrite Steel.

    However, the watch I wish to share today to compliment your Ref. 5300 is an
    interesting Ref. 5200 in Gold.

    Note the exact same case and dial layout as the Ref. 5300 you posted.

    The Watch

    Now here's the interesting thing about this watch which was sold on the 25th
    of May 1972 to the firm of Rosenmayer in Vienna Austria. When applying to
    Schaffhuasen for a COA - Certificate of Authenticity, they wrote me back, that
    unfortunately, they could NOT issue the certificate becuase on checking the
    records, the Case records reflected that this watch had been fitted with a
    Cal. 95 (where one would, as in the case of your watch expect a Cal. 972.).

    This was a development I was not expecting, as I had paid a premium price to
    secure this watch, given it's PRISTINE CONDITION, plus the fact that it had
    the original box and papers with the box being in perfect condition too!

    I then engaged Schaffhuasen again, saying that from my understanding something
    was not correct here - given I bought the watch from the original owner, and
    that that owner had confirmed to me the watch never left his posession, with
    one exception when he had sent it direct to Schaffhuasen for Service. He
    further told me, that the watch was still in one and the same condition that
    he originally
    bought it in.

    David Seyffer got involved and we did some extra research. Turns out that both
    the Case Records and the Tolke & King lists were incorrect. David was able to
    examine the "service database", and indeed on the basis of the movement and
    NOT THE
    CASE NUMBER, found that this movement, a Cal.952 was originally fitted in this
    case. The serial numbers match!

    So the records were for part incorrect - but the watch is 100% genuine.

    And of course, those Wizzards of Schafhausen gave this Cal. 952 movement a
    fantastic SPA treatment too.

    All in all, these Ref.5200 and Ref.5300 are trully very handsome timepieces.

  • Master
    3 Apr 2020, 4:33 p.m.

    The rare dial variant ....

  • 3 Apr 2020, 4:54 p.m.

    So nice Hebe, love that dial

  • Master
    3 Apr 2020, 4:54 p.m.

    Hebe, as always excelent photography and a unique version of the watch.

    I love those raised dial numbers. Are they "appliques" or is the dial stamped?

  • Master
    3 Apr 2020, 5:23 p.m.

    Well Mark, my estimation is: It is most probably stamped.

    Applied numbers would look like here .....

  • Master
    3 Apr 2020, 6:59 p.m.

    Once again

    Spectactacular watches from the master collectors

  • Master
    3 Apr 2020, 8 p.m.

    The watches shown, express the true IWC spirit.

    Elegant, functional, the result of a century making pocket watches, always
    improving and adapting.

    Fortunately this craftmanship has not been lost but transmitted to the wrist
    watches.

    Nevertheless also evoking a feeling of nostalgy, icons gone forever.

    Adrian,

    (alwaysiwc).