A couple of very old IWC wristwatches

So, I’ve been digging thru old stuff. Here are more examples of stuff that I ran across in the 80’s and picked up because something about them intrigued me.

Here’s a pair of very old IWC wristwatches, both in curious cases.

The first one, with a porcelain dial (note the awkward ‘Co.’), appears to be a converted ladies pocket watch from around the First World War. The movement is held in a threaded hoop that screws into the case. You have to withdraw the winding stem in order to do this. I have worn this watch in a daily rotation.




The second, which I’d guess dates from the late twenties, has a very interesting fold out case. The dial is ugly enough that I never worn this watch regularly. But the movement is beautiful.





My final comment is this: I’ve gathered that a lot of you are visual like me. I love seeing good photos of old movements, dials and cases, so I’m assuming you all do too. I also very much enjoy the feedback and continue to learn from it.

If I’m making a mistake about this, please let me know. I’m not looking to be tedious, just trying to help contribute to the content. And it’s pretty great to have such easy access to a community of likeminded watch freaks.

Very nice!

The system of placing the movement in the case with a threaded hoop is called a Borgel case - the "F. B." makers mark is visible on the inside of the case, too 😀

super nice congrats mate

Very nice. What is the diameter?

Tedious is a term that the non-horologically inclined would use. (Not really sure if non-horologically is a term...if it isn't, it is now.)

Great work and some beautiful pieces of history!

Those are nice!

Of what? Or ‘of which’?

Hi - I think first one is a pocket watch recase. I’m not familiar with any normal IWC wristwatch references like the one shown.

The second one is very beautiful- you should wear it more!