VIRTUAL POCKET WATCH MUSEUM DAY 62, cal 52, Schützenuhr 1922

Let's go Shooting!

So here is a story of how I got shot down - but it's not always bad to go down
in flames. Especially, when it concerns a Schutzenuhr.

The Watch

A few moons back, I was offered a very nice example of a Schutzenuhr. Now
know, that I long ago decided that I should not venture indepth into the
domain of these Schutzenuhr's - as I always felt that knowing myself, and
knowing that as Tonny writes above that there are no less than 25 of these
watches produced by IWC Schaffhausen for these shooting competitions, that I
propabaly then would want to collect all 25 of them - and I did not want to
become fixated on that.

However, the seller, was / is a well known collector who I have procured
watches from before, and so I thought since I had never seen one like this
come up for sale before, that I should take the seller up on his offer.

Hanover, Germany 1903 Schutzenuhr

I was particuarly drawn to the still fine condition of the case. As Tonny
mentions many of the Schutzenuhr are well worn, and the case engravings are
for the most part, not elaborate anymore.

I was excited and took delivery personally of the watch in Schaffhuasen at a
Collectors meeting where both of us attended.

On inspection, the movement a Cal. 53 savonette (Hunter) is in fair condition
too.

As is my passion, I could not wait to come home to start my research. And so
it was on my return to home, that things started to get curious.

Firstly the serial number check. Using the utility I came up with this.

The watch was probably completed and came off the production line some seven
years before the actual competion, Very curious - were these events like the
olympic games and actually planned years in advance?

I searched the forum high and low, in order to find and compare my Schutzenuhr
to another 1903 Hanover example. No Luck !

So I took it to one of the wise men of the forum, and asked Adrian to comment
on why it is that I could not find another one. Adrian came back with
"congratulations, you have found one that I did'nt !" . Now, I know that this
is not really possible as Adrian is very prudent and extemely diligent on his
research. Adrian then came back and showed an article on the 1903 Hanover
Schutzenuhr, which depicted this watch below.

And this watch, looks nothing like that of mine!

Further research required - so lets get it under the magnifying glass.

A close up reveals that the case "engraving" appears not to be engraving at
all - rather, it seems like this art work was attached to the watch at a later
stage?

But is someone was going to all that trouble to counterfeit a 1903 Schutzenuhr
why then would he not use a copy of the original artwork? Very curious.

So I decided to dive deep into the history of the 1903 Hanover Schutzenuhr.
The more I learnt, the more facinated I became.

These were huge events, with as many as 10,000 attendees ! So big, that they
even printed their own postcards to be sent home as soveniers by the attendees
to their loved ones.

The whole events had an almost "World Fair" or Circus comes to Town feeling
about it. The FESTHALLE was huge!

They not only competed at shooting for a full week.....dressed to the T

They also attracted many side vendors who setup stands at the event selling
all types of memorabilia - from postcards to soveniers.

And which self respecting visitor with some cash to spare would not want to go
home with this?

A sold silver medallion as a keepsake !

So it seems that special medalions were also struck to commemerate the event.

The flip side of the medallion is amazing too - depicting the local church
where the clock dial is in the form of a Star of David.

I took my findings to the seller, who of course imeadiately offered to refund
my monies. He had had the watch in his collection for some years, and knew no
better than that it was the real thing.

However, I had already conducted my research and IWC Schaffhausen had
confirmed that this watch was sold to a jeweler in _ Leipzig on the 26th of
December 1896 - and the case and movement serial numbers are matching and
found back in
the records.

So, did some enterprising tradesman buy a bunch of IWC pocket watches and a
bunch of medallions and create momento souvenier watches to sell at the event,
or did an attendee decide to attach his own medallion (OK... half his
medallion)
to his existing watch .... or ?

No ways was I going to return this watch - which now had added history to it
and a nice story to go. It is prouidly displayed alongside it's medalion and
matching postcard.

The dial is pretty nice too.

Now that hits the target!

Brings new meaning to the term Box and Papers

Amazing story and good research MarkL

So I guess you still need to add a Schutzenuhr to your collection ;-)

How beautiful
a Schutzenuhr can be decorated is visible not only on the outside, but also
inside.

This one is from Frauenfeld 1890.

Not related to a watch but related to a mini-Schutzenfest is the following
story. Every word of it is true.

Years ago, during one of the collectors meetings in Schaffhausen, the
organizers had arranged a mini-Schutzenfest for the collectors. Not with
pistols or guns but with the weapon of Wilhelm Tell, the crossbow. The
facility was in a rural area around Schaffhausen. I was very pleased as I
thought that I had experience, having been in the army and having been member
of a shooting club in Belgium for many years. I was determined to win and even
I could not withstand to give advice to fellow collectors who thought to hold
the crossbow upside down or to point it to the wrong target. Very soon I
noticed that it was less easy as I thought. The results of the contest were
not revealed immediately. There were 4 prizes, 3 for the first 3 places and
one booby prize. During the evening dinner the third prize winner was asked to
stand up. Fortunately, it was not me. Than the second prize winner was
anounced and again my name was not called. I was now ready to receive the
first prize. The procedure was very much like the Oscar event. And the winner
is..........Tonny Berteloot ! It was as if the ground under me sunk away. I
took a zip of wine and another one. But my sorrow was not over yet. While our
moderator received congratulations and kisses from the ladies the torture went
on. Now the booby prize was awarded.....to me. The IWC lady organiser said :
this prize is for the participant who has shown his courage , but who perhaps
should select another hobby.... The humiliation could not be worse...I
realised that if I had been Wilhem Tell, the history of Switzerland and IWC
would have had a different outcome.

Adrian,

(alwaysiwc).

Adrian, what a story!

I somehow recall having heard that the Collectors went shooting.... but, was
not aware of the facts.

....and then to think, that Tonny took first prize!!!

When this Corona thing is behind us, we shall get together with the villain
and determine exactly how that stunt was pulled off. I dare say, I doubt it
was based on marksmanship!

You don't say if an IWC Watch was awarded as first prize or not?

Sadly, this is not the first humiliation Tonny brought over me.

Over the years, I attended just like Tonny several 'watch classes' organised
in Schaffhausen as part of the collectors meetings.

Being a surgeon and having operated with the microscope, the same feeling as
when the shooting contest started, came over me when we were asked to
dismantle and build up again an IWC movement : 'I will show how it works,
gentlemen'. But time after time, I got lost, watch parts fell on the floor,
springs jumped off the table, screwdrivers slipped away, making deep scratches
on the movements.

Not so , at Mr. Berteloot's bench : everything went just perfect, not once the
mentor was asked for help, no surprise who finished the procedure first.of
all.

All these skills were of course noticed and reported by IWC employees. Tonny
does not talk about this, but I suspect he was offered a premium job at IWC.
But Tonny declined as a position in the board was not immediately available,
but after a few years. How it ended you all know. Tonny wanted not to be rude,
it is not his style.

Then IWC begged him to become the connecting factor between the collectors and
the company. Despite his full portfolio he accepted his responsibility. The
rest is history....

Adrian,

(alwaysiwc).

Yes Tonny, it was the mini-Schutzenfest in 2007.

It was a wonderful meeting, with the exception of my shooting results and the
quality of the wine, served by the mayor of Stein am
Rhein.

Although the cup was ok, you can see my face does not show the expression of
having tasted a Premier Grand Cru. It was more Chateau Mal du Tete ( headache
wine).

I was discussing the wine with Ivan Melbourne, a senior forum member. Ivan was
telling me that if such wine should be served by a barkeeper in England, the
pub would have been closed by the Health authorities.

Adrian,

(alwaysiwc).

My frustration clearly showed after Adrian left very little wine for me- But I
did try to have the eventual winner, Tonny, eliminated by placing the apple on
his head- but no one took the shot! I suppose that was a good thing in the
end!

Nelson

Besides coins/medallions, there were also ribbons, as this WreathAward from
the 1965 Schaffhausen Schutzenfest.

And this championship medal from the 1972 Schutzenverein ('protection
association'?)- sounds a bit mafia-esk; but perhaps there is a better
translation.

Anyway, I love the bok with the crown on his head!