Any advice on possible IWC cal89 purchase

Bourne1984 · Apr 13, 2022

As the title states I might be interested in a possible purchase of a cal89
Seen a couple in the metal and loved them but previously priced high. This is up for £850. Are there any knowledgeable IWC fans who can tell me if this looks ok?
I recognise that this is a replacement crown but I have a further question about that!
Any help would be much appreciated.

Shabbaz · Apr 13, 2022

Personally I wouldn't buy this one. The dial does'nt look original. Problem with these iwc dials it's difficult to see. But the fading numeral dots together with the thick font would worry me. So it would be a pass for me. Maybe other have other opinions.

Bourne1984 · Apr 13, 2022

Shabbaz
Personally I wouldn't buy this one. The dial does'nt look original. Problem with these iwc dials it's difficult to see. But the fading numeral dots together with the thick font would worry me. So it would be a pass for me. Maybe other have other opinions.

Thanks for the input. The images are fairly clear on the pics advertised and there is some uniformed wear on the wording when zoomed right in which I personally feel would be incredibly hard to fake.
Also someone had kindly put up a IWC letting chart on OF which shows onwards from 54 with the thicker lettering, could this hold up better than the markers?

Shabbaz · Apr 13, 2022

Yes, I know that chart. But I'm still a bit troubled by it. I think I had like 7 or 8 of these iwc's with this dial set up. But I always bought the thinner fonds. The picture you posted of the dial is a bit blurry. Maybe you have some better ones?

Bourne1984 · Apr 13, 2022

Shabbaz
Yes, I know that chart. But I'm still a bit troubled by it. I think I had like 7 or 8 of these iwc's with this dial set up. But I always bought the thinner fonds. The picture you posted of the dial is a bit blurry. Maybe you have some better ones?

I will have a look tomorrow and see if I can add some close ups. Thanks for your advice it’s much appreciated.

Shabbaz · Apr 13, 2022

I think @Tony C., @Dan S and @gatorcpa could chime in. They have love for IWC as well.

Bourne1984 · Apr 13, 2022

Shabbaz
I think @Tony C., @Dan S and @gatorcpa could chime in. They have love for IWC as well.

Tony C. · Apr 13, 2022

Yes, there were a number of variations of IWC dial signatures, but the chart reproduced above was not compiled by the manufacturer, and therefore is not necessarily a reliable guide.

I would prefer to view a larger image, but based on the OP's image, I am skeptical of the dial originality. I don't believe the crown to be original, either.

gatorcpa · Apr 13, 2022

Pictures are not clear enough to say much. I am skeptical of dial originality whenever a 60 to 70 year old watch has a white dial. Most of the Swiss companies used natural lacquers on dials up until the 1960's. These will naturally age over time to something between a light yellow to orange depending on environmental conditions.

Some watchmakers have techniques to remove old lacquers and replace with new synthetics without damaging the original printing. I've seen some great results, but unless I know that this has been done properly, I'd rather err on the side of a redial.

I'm not convinced that the crown is a replacement though. These snap-back cases were not intended to be waterproof and did not have the fish logo.

Last comment -- I think £850, or $1,100 is a high price for this watch given the questions raised. I realize that the price might include VAT, which would bring it back down to a reasonable range (assuming the dial turns out to be original). That is always a wild card on this side of the Atlantic, since prices in the US are generally quoted without sales taxes, while in the EU and UK, VAT is generally included.

Hope this helps,
gatorcpa

Dan S · Apr 13, 2022

TBH, I don't think I can add much after @Tony C. and @gatorcpa have spoken. I saw the thread earlier, but really didn't feel confident one way or the other based on the photos. I guess the one thing I can say is that I would not buy it based on those photos, they just don't make me comfortable enough that the dial is original.

Tony C. · Apr 13, 2022

gatorcpa
I'm not convinced that the crown is a replacement though. These snap-back cases were not intended to be waterproof and did not have the fish logo.

The fish point is accurate, but my skepticism is based mainly on the depth (I believe that it should be more shallow, or thinner, if you prefer).

Bourne1984 · Apr 14, 2022

Morning. Thanks everyone, I’m in the U.K but based on your thoughts I will give a miss. Plenty more lovely watches out there to spend hard earned cash on!

watchyouwant · Apr 14, 2022

Yes, move on. That Dial printing is not up to IWC standards from that period. Especially the thicker R and N worries me. Go for the thinnest possible print.

Ron_W · Apr 20, 2022

Shabbaz
Personally I wouldn't buy this one. The dial does'nt look original. Problem with these iwc dials it's difficult to see. But the fading numeral dots together with the thick font would worry me. So it would be a pass for me. Maybe other have other opinions.

I would agree on the font of 'International', it does not seem to be on a straight level and some letters look to thick/painted. Unless the crystal is damaged right there ??

ikanbilisclub · Apr 24, 2022

A little late to the thread but thought i'd add a pic of my former cal 89 dial for reference. This is the 648a reference.

Edit: sorry this is contains the cal 853 automatic movement

Shabbaz · Apr 25, 2022

ikanbilisclub
A little late to the thread but thought i'd add a pic of my former cal 89 dial for reference. This is the 648a reference.

Maybe I have a fit of madness but I thought the 89 was a manual... Yours is a automatic.

Shabbaz · Apr 25, 2022

This was one of mine 89 (similar as yours which is probably a 853?).

ikanbilisclub · Apr 25, 2022

Shabbaz
Maybe I have a fit of madness but I thought the 89 was a manual... Yours is a automatic.

oh my yes you are completely right!
i realised this was a cal 853. sorry for the error!

pls all just use the pic for reference on the IWC logo only

Any advice on possible IWC cal89 purchase

Bourne1984

Shabbaz

Bourne1984

Shabbaz

Bourne1984

Shabbaz

Bourne1984

Tony C.

gatorcpa

Dan S

Tony C.

Bourne1984

watchyouwant

Ron_W

ikanbilisclub

Shabbaz

Shabbaz

ikanbilisclub

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