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IWC cal. 89 solid gold, help!!!!

fabcat72
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Hi everybody,
I need again your help to identify my third gold watch got from my grand father. As already mentioned for the Zenith Compur (https://omegaforums.net/threads/zenith-compur-cal-146-but-year-and-model-help.162996/) he had lot of professional tools to deal with any type of watches and I wouldn't be surprised if he did any repairs or replacements.
The watch has been stored in a drawer for maybe 30 40 years and no service has been done since that time.

It looks original, don't know if reprinted....
The caliber is 89 and it is a 18k solid gold case

If I charge it can run fom abou 30 hour keeping the time....)

I upload some picture so you have all what I can give you to helpme in finding all its details. Year and value (not necessarly in money)

Thanks in advance!!!
 
iwc_new.jpeg iwc.jpeg iwc_innen.jpeg
Dan S
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Repainted, unfortunately. You can see that all of the little gold studs in the outer track are covered in paint. The serial numbers suggest early 1950s. I have the same reference from the early 60s, but your case is sharper.

iwc_pair.jpg
Edited:
 
fabcat72
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Hi Dan,
I always thought the paint over the dots had faded. In any case, even in your sample the dots appear to be hand-painted, this is probably how they did it at IWC in the 1950s
 
Oku
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fabcat72 fabcat72
Hi Dan,
I always thought the paint over the dots had faded. In any case, even in your sample the dots appear to be hand-painted, this is probably how they did it at IWC in the 1950s
No, they are not painted.
@Dan S pointet to the most obvious sign. Also the IWC script is not good on your watch.
 
watchyouwant
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Dan S Dan S
Repainted, unfortunately. You can see that all of the little gold studs in the outer track are covered in paint. The serial numbers suggest early 1950s. I have the same reference from the early 60s, but your case is sharper.

iwc_pair.jpg

Just take the advice given. Even if you don't like it. Enjoy it the way it is.
 
Dan S
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fabcat72 fabcat72
Hi Dan,
I always thought the paint over the dots had faded. In any case, even in your sample the dots appear to be hand-painted, this is probably how they did it at IWC in the 1950s

The dots in the outer ring are actually small metal studs, slightly recessed. They are not painted. This is pretty typical for IWC dials from that era. Here's yet another example, you can see that the studs are slightly larger for the hour markers. If I have some time, I will take a macro photo so you can see the outer ring of dots very clearly. When these dials are repainted, it's typical for paint to fill in the little holes, although usually it's just partially, so the dots look smaller. In your case, they completely covered the dots with paint, which is quite extreme.

iwc_auto copy.jpeg
Edited:
 
Oku
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fabcat72 fabcat72
Is this turning my watch into a garbage stuff?
No. It is a sharp case. With some patience, you can find an original dial and swap it. Also a competent watchmaker might me able to remove the paint from the dots.

Enjoy your heirloom. It is a nice watch nonetheless. And most probably you will hardly notice the redial when you wear it.
 
Dan S
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fabcat72 fabcat72
Is this turning my watch into a garbage stuff?
If you are planning to sell the watch, it does have a significant effect on value. But it's still a nice heirloom and a watch that you can enjoy wearing.

If I recall correctly, you've shown several of your grandfather's watches, and they all have repainted dials. So I suspect this is just the way he routinely maintained his watches because he preferred the dials to look clean.
 
fabcat72
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Oku Oku
No. It is a sharp case. With some patience, you can find an original dial and swap it. Also a competent watchmaker might me able to remove the paint from the dots.

Enjoy your heirloom. It is a nice watch nonetheless. And most probably you will hardly notice the redial when you wear it.
Thanks,
I will think about it....

... I will hardly notice..... I'm 51 and it's hard for me to "notice" what time it is.... 😀
 
Syrte
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Beautiful rose gold case, and quite sharp. Agree this one’s worth keeping an eye out for a replacement dial if one can be found.
 
bardamu
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fabcat72 fabcat72
Is this turning my watch into a garbage stuff?

Absolutely not.
Dial repainted reduces very much the collectible value, however it's still a nice, enjoyable and well-sized golden watch with a wonderful caliber.
 
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