Hey OF,
I've decided I desperately NEED a 36mm Cal. 8541.

I'm fairly confident in my skills to identify an authentic Omega dial but despite abundant research I'm still unsure of myself when it comes to IWC. As I understand it their fonts varied quite a bit and they were known to replace dials during factory servicing?

Am I correct in assuming that if I bought a redial and sent it to IWC for the $$$ spa treatment they would replace the repainted dial with a factory correct dial (high quality replica)? I know this is frowned upon in the Omega community but for some reason it seems appropriate it for an IWC as they have a history of doing this. I've also read that you have to go through IWC for servicing (as opposed to an independent watchmaker) because they don't sell parts for these?

Here's 3 I found on Ebay and I'm torn as to whether they are original or redials. I can find things off with all 3 but I'm not sure if I'm being too picky.

Watch No. 1 - Ebay LinkPurchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network



Watch No. 2 - Ebay LinkPurchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network



Watch No. 3 - Ebay LinkPurchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network


Comparing them to this.


Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks OF,

 

All three appear to be original.

With the high number of good vintage IWC circulating in the market, why would you want to consider buying a poor one and then having the factory replace the dial? It would be very expensive, and the watch would lose both originality and value.

Just find a nice original one and buy it.

 

Seems like the printing is much better on the last example but maybe it's just the photos? Did the print vary that much?

 

They all look ok to me (I like no. 1) but have to agree with Tony. There are plenty of originals out there with decent dials.

 

There were small variations, as manufacturers typically outsourced their dial dial work, and not always to the same company. None of the above examples show signs of being redials.

 

I was afraid I was being too critical. Thanks for the help. I'm guessing those are priced a little high? I do like No. 1 and No. 2

 

Do you guys think the black marks on the case would come off (watch No. 1)? I’m just worried if it’s corosion it might have pitted the steel..

 

A bit late coming to his thread, but if the OP is looking for a Cal 8541 IWC I wonder if he has considered a vintage Yacht Club? My one and only IWC is a Yacht Club circa 1968 that has quickly displaced all others to become my daily wearer. There is a rather good article about them here http://mansfinelife.com/2015/03/09/...t-club-an-avant-garde-answer-to-the-datejust/

 

Haha. I bought that one!

 

Anyway, there is one in the private sales section...

https://omegaforums.net/threads/ove...ef-r804a-cal-8541-serviced.71399/#post-904004

 

But the 853, 8531 and 853 are nice as well... 35mm and great lugs!

 

I mean 852 cal

 

Since we are showing vintage IWC, here is my Cal 8541B Yacht Club. It has an original Gay Frères IWC bracelet, but I'm currently wearing it with a Milanese style. The blue dial is a little lighter in reality than it appears in the image and changes tone depending on the light.

 

Nice. Bilko, looks very similar to mine. the blue dial was the most successful I believe and they never disapoint.

 

That's the one. Somehow the pictures never do these justice, but they are beautifully made watches that never disappoint. I find myself admiring it several times a day and it keeps excellent time.

 

you may just be looking for SS, but consider 18k rose gold pieces! they're really not much more, sometimes a similar price, and great value for a 18k gold piece (yellow gold too, but I think rose gold is nicer)

 

Hi All,

I just be wearing my IWC that is very similar to the ones posted here.

Mine also have I believe an original IWC milanese bracelet, however not Gay Frères signed

Love the dial condition, for an almost 50 years old watch