Virtual Pocket Watch Museum - Day 71 (II)

Dear Tonny

sorry for jumping in. But day 71 of your magnificient series "Virtual Pocket
Watch Museum" with 71 postings in this week deserves another 71:

A Cal. 71 SC (already presented by Tony earlier), but this time in its
original box from 1939 with a badge made from bone "International Deck Watch
6463". At the time these boxes were made (1) the Chronometer Department had
not yet decided to switch from the old designations (Chronometer Watch
[[C.W.], Deck Watch [D.W.]) to the newer designation H.S. 1, H.S. 2, H.S. 3
and so on and (2) each watch got such a case of its own with a batch repeating
its ID.

No need to show the movement, which all collectors know very well.

The Royal Navy at that time ordered Ulysse Nardin chronometer watches and
Longines plus Internationals. Longines had been for years the preferred brand
of the US Navy when it came to precision watches. The IWC calibre 71 had shown
its qualities, when winning one Kew A/especially good aftter the other.

Regards

Th. Konig

Lovely Deck Watch

How amazing is that box? Of course the watch speaks for itself.

Thanks for showing something so obscure and rare.

Nelson

This calibre 71 was in realy bad shape when I saw it for sale. The dial has
been destructed
completely.The
wach must have had a serious blow. Exactly where the dial feet are the enamel
has come off and numerous cracks were were the result. At that time I was told
that enamel cannot be restored. Nevertheless I bought it as the watch was in
running condition and the case seemed to be ok. A famous collector and saga
teller fell in love with it and wanted to buy it when I decided to sell. I
gave in. Now my hope is that the famous collector and champion saga teller
sees this post and will show and tell how the story continues.......

Regards,

Adrian,

(alwaysiwc).

It hurts to see a dial in that state. And the worst thing is that I don't
think it is caused by a blow to the watch. I think this kind of damage is
caused by someone trying to remove the dial without knowing how to do it. If
you bend a dial foot the smallest amount the dial plate bends a little, but
the enamel cannot bend and cracks instead. Dials with cracks and flaking like
this just where the dial feet are attached is only too common. Be careful when
you remove a dial.

Best regards,

Henrik

Adrian, did the buyer know what he was getting into? That dial is as they say
in the automobile industry "total loss" - no?

Those watches are so limited and have such a unique history, thats it's
unlikely that just such a replacement dial can ever be found. Or am I
mistaken?

Hi Mark,

I cannot look in the buyers mind. He says often that his decisions are not
based on common sense but on gut feeling. By doing this, he 'secures' watches
others would not buy or trust as genuine. Time after time his stubborn and
persistent research lead to finding watches that are unknown to the majority
of collectors. He has assistants and craftsmen in several countries, from
enamel painters to casemakers. The results are fabulous. Therefore, I await
eagerly the undoubtly exciting saga on the cal. 71 that he got from me. With a
bit of patience we will hear the story I am sure.....

Adrian,

(alwaysiwc).