Consider this your fair warning: I am BACK in the game as of tonight. I don't mean just posting on the forum as I've been the last few months, I mean back in the vintage watch buying world, and I will not be denied.... particularly when making up for past mistakes. Case in point: an IWC Ribbon Lug R521 caliber 89 freshly won from eBay: This came from the same seller as the 2915-2 you're all oooohing and aaaahing about. I sold one of these a few years ago and have regretted it since. That one was rose / pink gold, while this one is yellow gold, but this example has the numbers at the corners and my favorite (Alpha) hands. Good thing the seller didn't note that it's 37mm or it would have sold higher with more interest. These wear perfectly on my wrist. In conclusion, all you vintage watch novices had better get your shit together and be prepared to fight just a little harder for any gem you might think you've uncovered because a savvy veteran has come out of retirement. @Angel @Tony C. @cicindela - whaddaya think? (Already chatted with Evan pre-purchase.)
Sorry about that. Well, not so sorry that I'll surrender the watch. I had set a limit of $1600, which means you always should bid a few bucks higher just to make sure.
That watch is definitely worth what you paid. I have a somewhat similar cal 89 in pink gold, which made me more conservative in my bidding.
Nice watch, what year is that piece? I’m just another novice for you to stomp all over.......but I will be you up maybe Only good squirrel is a dead squirrel
Very nice, Dennis! Quite an uncommon reference, and looks very well preserved. Congratulations! Known by some as "Shark Fin" lugs, the model retailed for 690 DM in Germany in 1954.
Love IWC. Love the caliber 89 movement. Love that particular style of dial. Love 18kt gold. Love ribbon lugs. What's not to like? Love squirrels too. We enjoyed squirrel and parsley dumplin's for dinner just this past Tuesday evening. Teach 'em to pick the best fruit off our apricot tree and then have the gall to sit in the tree and be impertinent and mouthy, fussing at us. Ya' done good!
Thanks! I'm pretty happy with it. ... which, in flipper years, might mean I'll keep it a year or two. You and Evan are always good for a tidbit or image about the original pricing / catalog. The IWC applet shows the case as being produced from 1966 - 1968. I can't see the serial on the movement so I can't add that in to the search. It would be a bonus for it to be from 1966. Once I have the watch in hand, I'll do further research. .... and, of course, put it on one of my last Kelaran gator straps. Them's fighten words! Bring it on!
Thanks everyone! Yes, actually, it is. My wife was just chastising me about the lack of space in that room since I'm about 100 bottles over the upper limit of what we deemed the maximum. With my stainless automatic 854x and turtle lug ultra-thin manual 401, I think I have IWC nicely represented.
Congrats! I think buying such wonderful and neglected watches are a wise thing to do in todays market. Old tradesman wisedom, buy when no one else does, and sell when no one else does! IWC is a good choice today IMO
Crap! Your gonna be beating me to all the yard sales and thrift shops now. What am I going to do? Ah, squirrel traps.
Always appreciated your affinity for fine gold dress watches. Glad you have resumed the hunt.....Nice pickup.
