Tonny writes today of the Cal. 52 he posts, quote: " The case is simple and
made of silver ".
Now, the truth be told our esteemed moderator has an afinity for finely
decorated gold cases. Of this fact, we have seen plenty of evidence here over
the last 89 days of the Virtual Museum, and there is no denying that fact.
He also writes, that the Cal. 52 (and by this he means all variants of this
venerable calibre) is one of the most popular movements when measured in pure
volume of number of watches sold fitted with this movement.
It is therefor also not come to a surprise to any of you, that despite all the
glisten and gold that both Tonny and I have shared with you all over the last
90 days, that in fact if you look into our individual collections you are
going to find a good number of these rock solid, silver cased, no frills pure
Probus Scafusia pocket watches.
They form an intrinsic part of the heritage of IWC, and whilst appear to be
very basic watches (certainly so, when compared to some of the fancy pieces
with richly endoresed cases of niello, enamel inlay, guiloche work and hand
engraving) - they are actually in themselves very fine examples of all that is
best of the early days of IWC Schaffhausen - and to us collectors all
cherished and value pieces, for after all as they say "beauty behold in the
eyes of the believer".
The Watch
When I first saw this watch, I thought that despite the poor condition of the
dial on her, that she should definately be saved. After all it is a Cal. 52
and no collection should be without a few of them - even if she is as Tonny
wrote in a simple silver case.
While the watch looked in reasonble state - the dial clearly was lost and
the damage is clear to see between the 4 and 5 hour position on the dial.
Against this, she did have those really elaborate and intricate hands which my
sister so likes - and which hands are known as Louis XV hands.
I also have to confess now ... OK, I lied.
... a simple silver case yes, but oh so nicely hand engraved on the case back!
The watch is older than that of Tonny's example, but the movement (seen here
in the condition she was when I secured the watch) is pretty much the same
lines and in fair condition. Only the swan neck regulation that is visible on
Tonnys movement was missing on mine.
The rachet clicker then prominantly placed and clear for all to see (I am sure
that Mak F would point out this fact otherwise) .
Like Tonny's the case is hallmarked and is 0.800 german silver and carries the
JWC logo (serial number removed, to protect the innocent).
And as for her age, well one should never ask a lady her age - but in this
case she is so proud of how she retained her good looks, that she actuals does
not hide her age at all.
She was sold to the wholesale jewler in Febuary of the year 1897 and soon
afternward sold by them and engraved to represent a gift for 25 years loyal
service to the meat trading concern.
As Tonny says, a simple silver cased Cal.52 - no more, no less.
Oh, and as a last note I was not yet able to locate a replacement dial exactly
the same as the one pictured on the watch above. The search for these 120+
year old dials does take some time, However, I coulld not bear to let this
beauty languish in the cupboard waiting forever, and in fact Jeroen fully
services this watch and replaced the missing swan neck too.
And she resides in the collection for now, wearing a tempoary (but original
aus Schaffhauen) dial.
