Beam me up !
What a magnificent sunbeam case Tonny shares with us today. I would be hard
challenged to say which beams shine more. Those of Tonny's C.73 here or that
of my Calibre 73 in the sunbeam case.
While you may think it's the same case - this is not the case! Tonny's case
while bearing a similar case back, carries more case edge decoration and
enamel inlay - where mine is less art deco and more classic round lines.
The Watch
However, the watch I choose today to share with yourselves, is NOT A CALIBRE
73. Neither, is it a lepine (open face) but rather it is watch to rather
compliment Tonny's post rather than the watch in his post.
In fact it's 100% exactly the opposite as regards case decorations.
As you can see here above, the case has 3 swivel lids - meaning it is a
savonette (Full Hunter) pocket watch with a lid that covers the dial side of
the watch to protect it. And as you can see, there is not a single bit of
case decoration to be found on any of the lids. It's pure gold - all the way
down to the actual dial !
Even the appliques are solid 18k gold - enough gold here to satisfy any gold
diggers.
When we look closely at the dial, we dont find as one would expect the
International Watch Co. logo. but rather...
We see the name of ANDREAS HUBER - Urania
But never fear when Probus Scafusia is near... as we see, the case bears our
mark.
And when you compare the movement of this watch to that of Tonnys here below
(Tonny's C.73 on the left and this watch on the right) we see that there are
many similarities - apart from the fact they are both finger bridge movements.
However, my watch is not the savonette version of the C.73, but rather the
sister of that Lutetia we shared just the other day.
This is a Cal.65 Lutetia which left Schaffhausen headed for Andreas Huber in
Munich in April 1935
There is a story behind this watch. One that reflects comorade and true
friendship - and a friendship brought about by this forum and our mutual
passion for these IWC vintage watches.
Many years ago, I came upon an extremely rare borgel cased pocket watch. It
had some strange arrow type marking stamped on the case (which really meant
nothing to me at the time). But the gun metal steel borgel case was in really
good condition, and I had the watch fully restored. Some time after this it
was explained to me by this other fellow, that that little "squigle" was in
fact the so called English Broad Arrow and that the Broad Arrow or Pheon
was used for centuries to mean British Government property, but it has been
discontinued. In short it was a rare military timepiece - and as I don't
collect military watches despite its good condition it did not belong in my
collection. It needed to be amongst other Broad Arrows, in someone collection
who would fully appreciate it.
I knew such a person, so not wanting to insult him (as I knew he would want to
buy the watch if I listed it for sale), I simply boxed it, and sent it to his
address via secure courier and without any note or return address. I made no
further mention of this act to him, and was happy that such a piece would take
it's place his collection.
Then one day out of the blue the doorbell rang here - and there was Andreas
Huber. No words, no return address and never to be spoken of again.
