Forums Latest Members

UPDATE: IWC Ingenieur 866AD APRIOR Tiffany & Co. Dial

  1. MikeMan2727 Oct 12, 2019

    Posts
    1,652
    Likes
    8,679
    Hi all,

    Just wanted to share my latest find with you since it isn't something I have ever seen before.

    Last night I met up with a young man to complete the purchase of this watch. He told me that it was bought by his grandfather in the late 60s or early 70s, worn by him, then left in a drawer.

    The watch is an IWC Ingenieur refernce 866AD. As some of you may know, I am a huge fan of the Ingenieurs and own a 666AD that took some time to track down in nice condition. The 866 features the improved 8541 reference with hacking feature. The case is also increased in size measuring 37mm.

    What makes this special is the APRIOR dial (gold) with Tiffany & Co. branding. I haven't see this on an Ingenieur before. The crystal is quite dirty but the dial looks lovely. The 666ADs tended to age poorly but the gold in this dial likely prevented degradation.

    The watch is running but will go straight to service. Lots of wrist cheese, time setting is stiff. However, all parts are correct and it looks unpolished.

    I think I will get the hands relumed. There is quite a bit of lume loss on the minute and second hand. Since the rest if the watch is so lovely, I think relumed hands will really complete it.

    Here are some quick and dirty pics. I will obviously update with pics after service!

    20191012_112547.jpg 20191012_112603.jpg 20191012_112623.jpg 20191012_112636.jpg 20191012_112653.jpg 20191012_112718.jpg
     
    Geezer, DaveK, jmazpiazu and 17 others like this.
  2. rkman11 Oct 12, 2019

    Posts
    1,675
    Likes
    5,550
    And another one in your amazing collection that I’m jealous of! (For the others see... well the rest of your amazing collection!)
     
  3. deki1908 Oct 12, 2019

    Posts
    40
    Likes
    86
    Fantastic find, congratulations! I love the Ingenieur!:)
     
  4. Tony C. Ωf Jury member Oct 12, 2019

    Posts
    7,328
    Likes
    23,959
    Very nice – congrats! Certainly a very uncommon variation.
     
  5. cholack Oct 13, 2019

    Posts
    207
    Likes
    308
    Great find, rare watch. Congrats
     
  6. MikeMan2727 Oct 14, 2019

    Posts
    1,652
    Likes
    8,679
    Thank you for the nice comments!

    I have started looking for watchmakers to do a service. I use one for mid-level jobs but I would rather send this to a higher level watchmaker.

    I've already sent inquiries to LAWW and Classic Watch in DC. Does anyone have another recommendation for someone who can do an excellent service and can also match the hand lume? Feel free to PM me!
     
  7. KingCrouchy Oct 14, 2019

    Posts
    1,502
    Likes
    5,664
    Looks stunning, never saw it signed by Tiffany.:thumbsup:
     
  8. guaranteed.rohu Oct 14, 2019

    Posts
    1,178
    Likes
    6,042
    beauty! like others I didn't know tiffany signed IWC watches!
     
  9. maanu Oct 14, 2019

    Posts
    1,809
    Likes
    27,089
    Congratulations !!!
     
  10. oinkitt Oct 14, 2019

    Posts
    422
    Likes
    811
    The IWC Ingenieur is very underrated. For some reason they haven't advanced in value for some time. I personally prefer the no date versions. I've never seen a Tiffany signed version. Congrats!!!
     
  11. Wongo Oct 15, 2019

    Posts
    511
    Likes
    482
    Never seen a Tiffany dial in IWC. What other brands did Tiffany carried in the old days?
     
  12. MikeMan2727 Oct 15, 2019

    Posts
    1,652
    Likes
    8,679
    I've seen Tiffany signed dials on Rolex and Omega from the time period.

    Looking at the frizzellweb website for Ingenieurs, I could only find one other example of a Tiffany signed dial:

    [​IMG]

    A reference 666 that they call "very unusual and unique."

    It also seems that Turler (high end Swiss jewelry store) had their name on some of the Ingenieurs including the reference 866:

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
    DaveK and Mods like this.
  13. Tony C. Ωf Jury member Oct 15, 2019

    Posts
    7,328
    Likes
    23,959
    They are not at all underrated. Their values ran up well before the more recent bubble in vintage watch values, and you can bet that they won't deflate to nearly the degree that many others will when the bursting of the bubble accelerates.
     
    shishy and Mods like this.
  14. Mods I'm not really an ΩF mod but I play one on TV Oct 15, 2019

    Posts
    692
    Likes
    1,198
    Yes not underrated. But I’m not convinced that the % spread in prices between the iwc and the other brand anti mags will necessary reduce materially when there is a general pull back in prices of all vintage watches.
    I do think they are relatively undervalued vs the alternatives.

    I don’t recall any other company signed dials for these. Has anyone else observed them?
    Anyway, here’s my Turler signed one.


    5F2DB9C3-A822-4217-B915-8AB088A30A2F.png
     
  15. Mods I'm not really an ΩF mod but I play one on TV Oct 15, 2019

    Posts
    692
    Likes
    1,198
    And bar the seamaster date at 6, the best balanced date window of any watch imo
     
  16. MikeMan2727 Nov 22, 2019

    Posts
    1,652
    Likes
    8,679
    As promised, some pics after service! The watch now runs perfectly and looks great on the IWC oyster bracelet.

    20191122_093738.jpg 20191122_093720.jpg
     
    tmw57, vibe, Traveler and 17 others like this.
  17. bigsom Nov 27, 2019

    Posts
    1,312
    Likes
    10,509
    Nicely done Mike, that bracelet is definitely the way to go. I hope it augments your science!
     
  18. melanieux Nov 27, 2019

    Posts
    218
    Likes
    351
    Where did you end up sending it for service?
    Just curious.
     
  19. Theluglife Nov 27, 2019

    Posts
    134
    Likes
    154
    wonderful piece! I have just started down the rabbithole with ingenieurs. Hopefully will get my hands on one in the not too distant future.

    Was it hard to your hands on the bracelet? or was it part of the purchase with the watch?
     
  20. kip595 Nov 27, 2019

    Posts
    865
    Likes
    1,566
    Fantastic piece brought back to life. I've only seen a Tiffany-branded IWC in person once, years ago, before I got into collecting. Even then I knew it was special by the way it was handled by the owner.

    Great find and great work bringing this one back to first rate.