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Please evaluate this IWC cal 88

lonemian
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It's on the bay (https://www.ebay.com/itm/153923305715)

Thesedays I went nuts about vintage watch with arabic index and subsecond dial so I'm on verge of buying this.

But I decided to hear second opinion/devil's advocate before proceeding anything.

Below is my rough analysis. What do you think? Tell anything freely to me!

<Pros>
Arabic index and Subsecond with nice proportion (my appetite)
Steel case in ok-ish state
Movement in good state
Cal 88 (rare to some degree)
so-so price (Far from a perfect example, but enough to enjoy)

<Cons>
Redial? (retouch should cost $90)
31mm size (but still wearable to my wrist)
 
Screen Shot 2020-05-11 at 12.00.33 AM.png Screen Shot 2020-05-11 at 12.00.48 AM.png Screen Shot 2020-05-11 at 12.01.08 AM.png
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Dan S
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It looks like a very sloppy repaint, and I think you can obviously see pain on top of the markers.
 
lonemian
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Dan S Dan S
It looks like a very sloppy repaint, and I think you can obviously see pain on top of the markers.
Yes the marker painting is uneven and sloppy. Considering that the dial needs to be retouched, what would be fair price of this?
 
ZIELSZIEK
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lonemian lonemian
Yes the marker painting is uneven and sloppy. Considering that the dial needs to be retouched, what would be fair price of this?
If I were you, I would not buy this at all.
Redial will affect the resale value(if you care about it)
It will definitely require a service.
And putting in all this effort to have a redialed watch at the end of the day would put me off, you might have a different opinion.
Not to mention it will look horrible in person, judging by how bad the dial was executed, until you get it redone.
There are plenty of watches with arabic indexes and subseconds to choose from.
 
queriver
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I'd be concerned about the sloppy IWC script and Schaffhausen on the dial. They aren't centred either. Others will be better placed to comment about the cost to have them re-written but I doubt the script and numerals could be done neatly for $90.
 
Shabbaz
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lonemian lonemian
Yes the marker painting is uneven and sloppy. Considering that the dial needs to be retouched, what would be fair price of this?
What do you mean exactly? Do you want to refinish a refinished dial?
 
lonemian
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Shabbaz Shabbaz
What do you mean exactly? Do you want to refinish a refinished dial?
Yeah I thought about modding the dial. But I realized all of these are not good ideas. 😉
 
Shabbaz
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lonemian lonemian
Yeah I thought about modding the dial. But I realized all of these are not good ideas. 😉
Well. In theory it's possible. But then i would buy a cheaper one. Japanese ebay dealers, like closer, have a lot of iwc redials and/or bad dials for much less and in 35mm cases.
Edited:
 
lonemian
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Shabbaz Shabbaz
Well. In theory it's possible. But then i would buy a cheaper one. Japanese ebay dealers, like closer, have a lot of iwc redials and/or bad dials for much less.
thanks for the input. Should I visit Japanese site? or just searching for Japanese sellers should be okay?
 
Shabbaz
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lonemian lonemian
thanks for the input. Should I visit Japanese site? or just searching for Japanese sellers should be okay?
Maybe it's better for you to find a original iwc for a bit more the the above. I think it's better. If you really want to pursue this you can send me a pm. But do you know a watchmaker who is skilled in refinishing dials? Most of the times they do a terrible job.
 
Dan S
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I think this should really go without saying, but not for a second would I consider paying $850 for a poorly re-dialed 31mm watch like this.
 
loniscup
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Dan S Dan S
I think this should really go without saying, but not for a second would I consider paying $850 for a poorly re-dialed 31mm watch like this.



Indeed!! It will be the seller's best day ever!! Try to find a good example even if you have to pay a little more, you won't regret it. This..you will
 
DaveK
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Dan S Dan S
...you can obviously see pain on top of the markers.
Not often that a typo adds clarity to a statement.😜
 
lonemian
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Shabbaz Shabbaz
Maybe it's better for you to find a original iwc for a bit more the the above. I think it's better. If you really want to pursue this you can send me a pm. But do you know a watchmaker who is skilled in refinishing dials? Most of the times they do a terrible job.

I think I found a decent alternative to this. 30mm sized Omega 9ct calatrava with cal. 361. My bidding target is about ~usd 400.
 
405F80B8-BCE7-4147-B869-372D24E87D59.png 254E0DA6-C1E8-4D1E-9903-9652F975F539.jpeg
Shabbaz
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A omega is something different then a IWC. With patience you can find a 50's or 60's omega in good condition for $ 400. Finding a good IWC for that price is much more difficult. Why do you focus on 30mm watches? Small wrists? And why did you suddenly changed to omega?
 
Shabbaz
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Oh. I see your other thread and you already bought this one. Well, enjoy!
 
lonemian
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Shabbaz Shabbaz
A omega is something different then a IWC. With patience you can find a 50's or 60's omega in good condition for $ 400. Finding a good IWC for that price is much more difficult. Why do you focus on 30mm watches? Small wrists? And why did you suddenly changed to omega?
You are right. IWC is different.... I think I need to be more patient to spot a 36mm sized IWC vintage in a good condition. Although I just bought an omega, I still want to solicit a nice IWC. Can you share me some tips?
 
Dan S
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Shabbaz Shabbaz
A omega is something different then a IWC. With patience you can find a 50's or 60's omega in good condition for $ 400. Finding a good IWC for that price is much more difficult. Why do you focus on 30mm watches? Small wrists? And why did you suddenly changed to omega?

Super sharp and clean 18k Zenith listed for $650 on eBay. The seller says it is 33.3mm.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Clean-Vint...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

s-l1600.jpg
Edited:
 
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Shabbaz
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Dan S Dan S
Super sharp and clean 18k Zenith listed for $650 on eBay. The seller says it is 33.3mm.

s-l1600.jpg
Superb brand.
 
Dan S
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Shabbaz Shabbaz
Superb brand.

It's a little small for me, but apparently not for the OP, which works in his favor. I just wanted to point out what can be found with some patience and effort. There's no need to settle.
 
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