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Thoughts on a IWC 666A Ingenieur

bardamu
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Dear all,
since OF shows a deep knowledge on vintage IWC, I'd like to get some thoughts about this 666A Ingenieur for sale online.
My feeling is that everything is okay, the patina on the dial doesn't bother me. However, I know from experience that with IWC, dial reprints and various inconsistencies are always around the corner. So, I would be reassured by the opinions of some experts on the forum.
I just still miss a pic of the case serial between lugs.
Thanks a lot in advance,
Alessandro

9E1B6553-9748-49A7-A52C-08D7AE5AE67B.webp 10EA22DF-F3C0-41EB-BE8D-209E6A3FBEA9.webp 33F589DF-4BFD-4C0A-8467-7785320D9A32.webp 82C86EB7-5BD4-45FA-A4A7-0CA47EDABA49.webp 0280A3FB-D9EC-4D69-A883-981C3FD588E9.webp A7752577-FC2C-4A21-BD2A-E55918D75BD0.webp B8FF6C17-A923-41EC-8069-726D4DD654F4.webp D5DF844E-84E9-4EDA-ABA4-5DC820C8B53E.webp D15CC95C-B00E-4BEF-840C-A61A557B9BEA.webp D9075FA3-0576-47B2-A627-1F075B897780.webp
 
Tony C.
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I am confident that the dial is original. The case makes me a bit uneasy, though, and I would want to see more images from the side, and back, along with the number on the inside of the bottom lugs.
 
bardamu
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Thank you Tony, I will ask for more detailed pics.
 
studeb
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Tony C. Tony C.
I am confident that the dial is original. The case makes me a bit uneasy, though, and I would want to see more images from the side, and back, along with the number on the inside of the bottom lugs.
Hi, I am just learning, uneasy in the sense of being over polished? Or being a marriage?
 
Tony C.
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It appears to be correct, but I'm guessing that the back my be overpolished, or otherwise not in very good condition. Also, the sides of the mid-case would have contrasting brushing, if original finish.
 
Tony C.
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As the first one is represented as having a refinished dial, I'd walk away for that reason alone. The case, and especially back, has been polished. I don't like the lack of movement and inside case back photos, and am not convinced that the crown is correct. I also don't like the dissonance of the bright, clean dial, and (likely) original hands.

The second one I much prefer, though the dial condition would be a matter of taste. The bracelet and clasp are contemporary, and likely Japanese. I would try to find someone who reads Japanese, just to be sure about what was done in the service.

There are a good number of 666 Ingenieurs that circulate in the market, so I'd be inclined to wait for something better. But between those two, it would be a very easy choice for me: #2
 
Fallout Boy
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#2 has the nicer "patina" (+ the bracelet). IMO better, but the spot on the dial.....and around the "6".... hm. Not my choice.
 
WoundupLA
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Tony C. Tony C.
As the first one is represented as having a refinished dial, I'd walk away for that reason alone. The case, and especially back, has been polished. I don't like the lack of movement and inside case back photos, and am not convinced that the crown is correct. I also don't like the dissonance of the bright, clean dial, and (likely) original hands.

The second one I much prefer, though the dial condition would be a matter of taste. The bracelet and clasp are contemporary, and likely Japanese. I would try to find someone who reads Japanese, just to be sure about what was done in the service.

There are a good number of 666 Ingenieurs that circulate in the market, so I'd be inclined to wait for something better. But between those two, it would be a very easy choice for me: #2
Great notes. Thanks. Will wait and enjoy the hunt….
 
WoundupLA
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Fallout Boy Fallout Boy
#2 has the nicer "patina" (+ the bracelet). IMO better, but the spot on the dial.....and around the "6".... hm. Not my choice.
I don’t have a 666 yet, so with these comments, it’s worth continuing to look to find a better example.
 
Dan S
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The spot on the dial of #2 is pretty distracting.
 
vintage hab
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JimJupiter JimJupiter
Bought this 666AD three weeks ago and I am pretty happy.

DSC07961-1.webp
Beauty watch! I’ve never seen a 666 with magnifier. Is that an original crystal? Or was magnifier added on?
 
JimJupiter
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vintage hab vintage hab
Beauty watch! I’ve never seen a 666 with magnifier. Is that an original crystal? Or was magnifier added on?
Got it from a trustworthy dealer who bought it from an watchmaker stock, together with another 666. He said it was never sold but badly stored in a drawer with other watches. This would claim the crystal could be factory original. But I can't be 100% sure and I am not an expert on these watches. Maybe someone else knows?
 
Tony C.
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JimJupiter JimJupiter
He said it was never sold but badly stored in a drawer with other watches. This would claim the crystal could be factory original. But I can't be 100% sure and I am not an expert on these watches. Maybe someone else knows?
It's an interesting question, and despite the vast majority of 666 Ingenieurs having left the factory with plain crystals, the answer is that a few did feature "cyclops" lenses!

9386-666.webp
 
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