Community Stories

IWC cal 853- plese help verify originality

skand
Posts
636
Likes
8,239
Hello.
I have a request for help in verifying this watch. To me it looks ok, but I'm confused by the large discrepancy in the movement and case number. I have not encountered such a watch anywhere in the 18K version and diameter of about 36.6mm. Can you help ?

20230512_123149.jpg 20230512_121957.jpg 20230512_132003.jpg 20230512_123144.jpg 20230512_123138.jpg 20230512_122955.jpg
 
skand
Posts
636
Likes
8,239
gatorcpa gatorcpa
Yeah, I’d be concerned about it too.

upload_2023-5-12_8-42-59.png

http://moeb.on-rev.com/dyIWC/dyIWCm.lc

gatorcpa

Thanks for your post. This watch looks amazingly compact, couldn't it be that they got an order from Sweden for watches that workplaces hand out for their 25th anniversary and put the movement in a case that was lying in storage ? This is just a theory, as there is no stamped reference on the back of the case
20230512_123040 (2).jpg
 
skand
Posts
636
Likes
8,239
In most vintage watches, the serial number of the movement is earlier than the case number. The watch is beautiful, gold, has a very good movement and I will wear it, but it would be nice to know the answer if it is not franken
 
Dan S
Posts
21,730
Likes
49,308
Things do not really add up for me. Not only the discrepancy between case and movement serial numbers, but also the large date on the engraving.
 
skand
Posts
636
Likes
8,239
Dan S Dan S
Things do not really add up for me. Not only the discrepancy between case and movement serial numbers, but also the large date on the engraving.

What do you mean when you write about the large date on the engraving?
 
YYTIN
Posts
1,247
Likes
12,106
^
I believe Dan refers to the discrepancy between the 3 dates : movement 1955, case 1963 and engraving 1968.

It's a pity if this is a franken as I find it very attractive !
First, I would try what Gatorcpa recommend and check on the IWC forum.
If there is still doubt, and ultimately, if the seller is sure of the authenticity and you confirm you will buy the watch if all legit, you could ask him to get an IWC extract of archives (300euros) ?
Edited:
 
skand
Posts
636
Likes
8,239
YYTIN YYTIN
^
I believe Dan refers to the discrepancy between the 3 dates : movement 1955, case 1963 and engraving 1968.

It's a pity if this is a franken as I find it very attractive !
First, I would try what Gatorcpa recommend and checked on the IWC forum.
If there is still doubt, and ultimately, if the seller is sure of the authenticity and you confirm you will buy the watch if all legit, you could ask him to get an IWC extract of archives (300euros) ?

Thanks. There were no movement photos and almost no description, that's why I got it at a humanitarian price. I took into account that it could be a franken, I was bidding as a usable watch - having the maximum amount. I took Gatorcpa advice and already posted a query on the IWC forum. The important thing is that it is not repainted, and maybe it will turn out not to be a franken, then I will win double.
 
Dan S
Posts
21,730
Likes
49,308
Sorry, yes as @YYTIN indicated, I meant to refer to the fact that the engraving is so much later than the watch. Obviously the engraving could have been added later, but that would be unusual.
 
YYTIN
Posts
1,247
Likes
12,106
skand skand
Thanks. There were no movement photos and almost no description, that's why I got it at a humanitarian price. I took into account that it could be a franken, I was bidding as a usable watch - having the maximum amount. I took Gatorcpa advice and already posted a query on the IWC forum. The important thing is that it is not repainted, and maybe it will turn out not to be a franken, then I will win double.

Great : I'm sure it will be a pleasure to wear 😀
Wrist pics please when it arrives 😀

My SS cal 853 says hi !
IMG_5924.JPG
 
skand
Posts
636
Likes
8,239
I don't pay much attention to the engraving, because the companies ordered forward watches for employees who will have worked 25 years in the company. Once they even miscalculated 25 years.
 
skand
Posts
636
Likes
8,239
YYTIN YYTIN
Great : I'm sure it will be a pleasure to wear 😀
Wrist pics please when it arrives 😀

My SS cal 853 says hi !
IMG_5924.JPG

I already have it on my hand. In such a case as your watch I had with movement cal 89.

20230512_143056.jpg 20221109_103324.jpg
 
skand
Posts
636
Likes
8,239
I got the first response on the IWC Forum, which brought even more uncertainty, because I don't know how to treat "it looks fine to me....." when the difference in the years of production of case and movement is so big ?

"Just WOW!

The condition of your watch is spectacular and a little bit unusual!

It looks fine to me and I can give the following additional information.....

The movement dates from 1963.
The case was most probably produced and delivered around 1955.

I have no explanation to such a large gap in production , which is usually two
to three years apart."

Best Regards
Mark
 
Sign up or log in to reply...

Similar threads

AdamVT227

IWC Cal 853 Broken Jewel

AdamVT227 Watchmaking
AdamVT227
AdamVT227
Posts
0
Views
142
R

Please help verify Omeda Seamaster midsize

Regan888 Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
R
Regan888
Posts
12
Views
1K
Thommas

IWC 648A "Pre-Ingenieur" Jumbo Steel Dress Watch, Cal. 853

Thommas Private Watch Sales
Thommas
Thommas
Posts
12
Views
10K
la_lusigne

IWC cal.8531 in PLATINUM (60s) - 1800EUR

la_lusigne Private Watch Sales
la_lusigne
la_lusigne
Posts
0
Views
3K
MikeMan2727

Reduced Price - Uncommon IWC Platinum Cal. 853 with Buckle

MikeMan2727 Private Watch Sales
MikeMan2727
MikeMan2727
Posts
10
Views
10K
Big_G

Thoughts on vintage 18K IWC cal 853

Big_G Other Watch Brands Forum
Big_G
Big_G
Posts
2
Views
1K