Vintage IWC (International Watch Company) Information

queriver · Jan 2, 2020

I have an IWC cal 89 of similar era to yours. Movement is 116x and caseback 118x. Dated 1948 based on moeb.ch. I believe the dial is original so please compare with yours.

Also, a few years ago Vintage Caliber posted on their Instagram feed an image of the IWC dial logos used from the 1940s and 50s that is a useful reference:

nkb · Jan 2, 2020

queriver
I have an IWC cal 89 of similar era to yours. Movement is 116x and caseback 118x. Dated 1948 based on moeb.ch. I believe the dial is original so please compare with yours.

Also, a few years ago Vintage Caliber posted on their Instagram feed an image of the IWC dial logos used from the 1940s and 50s that is a useful reference:

Wow! Lovely to hear from you and so quick too,that's what I love about OF! The vintage caliber info provided is crucial in assessing the dial script authenticity.

The example I showed here is dated to 1949 (from movement number and 1-2 years after that( for case number) I think! And the case size is 36.5mm excluding crown -so that would make it a jumbo(for vintage) ? and it has fancy lugs.

So my guess is I should refer to the script examples
"1947-1953 fancy jumbos".

BTW the price is $1300 US. I can get it for a clean trade (so I dont pay in anything). Although effectively ,with a loss of $150 on the trade deal, the total investment on the IWC is $1450 and it comes serviced with a 1yr guarantee on the movement.

nkb · Jan 2, 2020

queriver
I have an IWC cal 89 of similar era to yours. Movement is 116x and caseback 118x. Dated 1948 based on moeb.ch. I believe the dial is original so please compare with yours.

Also, a few years ago Vintage Caliber posted on their Instagram feed an image of the IWC dial logos used from the 1940s and 50s that is a useful reference:

Your cal 89 is beautiful. I'm considering buying this one as a keeper and family heirloom. It is simplistic and timeless in its design and sheer quality.

Just didn't want to get caught out on a redial. Need to check the seconds track dots more carefully and compare to yours!

Nobel Prize · Jan 3, 2020

nkb
Hi Nobel
I am considering this IWC cal 89 in 18K from approximately 1949 and came across this old thread which I am glad about! This is because it has sent alarm bells as to whether it is a redial or not.
It is the "Schaffhausen" font that concerns me the most (it is not cursive??) I will also ask the IWC forum about it but thought it would be good to hear from you!
What is your opinion on condition (dial, case and movement) .From my untrained eye it is ok for all three.

Thanks Neal

I am actually not qualified to give you a reliable answer. it is beautiful though.

vacheroyale · Jan 14, 2020

Jonatan
Home sick today and saw that I never posted mine on this thread. A lucky find almost a year ago and I promised myself I wouldn't wear it until I had defended my thesis. Well, a move for a new job, 50 hour work weeks and the thesis isn't coming along very fast. Hopefully, I can sport this beauty in Q1 of 2018. You're all invited to the inaugural party and the public defence.

Nice with the Calatrava dial!

rfcs · May 2, 2021

queriver
I have an IWC cal 89 of similar era to yours. Movement is 116x and caseback 118x. Dated 1948 based on moeb.ch. I believe the dial is original so please compare with yours.

Also, a few years ago Vintage Caliber posted on their Instagram feed an image of the IWC dial logos used from the 1940s and 50s that is a useful reference:

Decided on an IWC cal 89 in yellow gold with the “explorer” dial and the tear drop lugs. Dated to 1948. Dial is original and unrestored. Everything else is supposed to check out. Waiting to get it!

rfcs · May 3, 2021

Nobel Prize
I am actually not qualified to give you a reliable answer. it is beautiful though.

According to a source cited here IWC started marking “swiss” in dials in the 1950’s which wouldn’t square with your “swiss” dial dating to the ‘40’s. Was your dial a redial or not or dating to the ‘50’s?

Nobel Prize · May 3, 2021

rfcs
According to a source cited here IWC started marking “swiss” in dials in the 1950’s which wouldn’t square with your “swiss” dial dating to the ‘40’s. Was your dial a redial or not or dating to the ‘50’s?

I believe mine was, yes.

la_lusigne · May 31, 2021

Just giving my little contribution to this thread 😉
I have 2 IWC watches :
A caliber 89 from the late 50s/early 60s in platinum.
According to my research the case is made by a Japanese company called isomura. In the 1960s they were the Japanese distributor for IWC watches, produced a small number of platinum cases for the Japanese domestic market. These cases were made in Japan in order to avoid the prohibitively high tariffs on importing platinum cases from Switzerland.

The second watch is a reference 810AD from the 70s, powered by a caliber 8541B. Nice feature is the bracelet which is made by gay frère 👍

rfcs · May 31, 2021

Wonderful pieces! Who’s the “go to” watchmaker in the US for servicing of the Cal 89?

rfcs · May 31, 2021

Here’s my Cal 89. It’s lovely and keeping time accurately + - 10 sec per day or less.

Fallout Boy · Jun 2, 2021

NOS bought in Portugal: cal 83, 36 mm, orig; hang-tag, gold-capped, hallmark/import-mark of Portugal

atb Jo

rfcs · Jun 2, 2021

These vintage IWC’s are gorgeous. The tear drop lugs of the 40’s and 50’s are beautiful. I’ve seen them in some Vacheron vintage pieces. That you have the tag all the better!

Flatfoot · Jun 2, 2021

my Hermet from 1941, 36.5mm case. I wear this one frequently- it was posted on WRUW last week. Cal 83.

rfcs · Jun 2, 2021

Flatfoot
my Hermet from 1941, 36.5mm case. I wear this one frequently- it was posted on WRUW last week. Cal 83.

Stunning. What reputable watchmaker do you recommend to service these watches?

cineaste · Jun 2, 2021

la_lusigne
Just giving my little contribution to this thread 😉
A caliber 89 from the late 50s/early 60s in platinum.
According to my research the case is made by a Japanese company called isomura. In the 1960s they were the Japanese distributor for IWC watches, produced a small number of platinum cases for the Japanese domestic market. These cases were made in Japan in order to avoid the prohibitively high tariffs on importing platinum cases from Switzerland.

This is one of the platinum watches I really like and I could potentially afford, truly a stunner!

Flatfoot · Jun 2, 2021

rfcs
Stunning. What reputable watchmaker do you recommend to service these watches?

I have used Gehan and Dorety in Sandy Hook, CT. My tastes run rather broad as to manufacturers, so I’ve given them a number of different watches-including this IWC- and they always deliver first rate work. I’ve personally had them service watches from Benrus to Zenith with great results. Highly recommended.

TimeODanaos · Jun 2, 2021

Flatfoot
my Hermet from 1941, 36.5mm case. I wear this one frequently- it was posted on WRUW last week. Cal 83.

Mine (from 1942-44, pre-Inca, 1.0 mio serial) says hi. But your dial and case are just wonderful - nice one!

Flatfoot · Jun 2, 2021

TimeODanaos
Mine (from 1942-44, pre-Inca, 1.0 mio serial) says hi. But your dial and case are just wonderful - nice one!

Nice! they are beautifully made, aren’t they.

The lack of any incabloc protection on mine, too, hasn’t changed my wearing habits at all. I’m careful in wearing any watch, and this one is no different. Do you wear yours frequently?

queriver · Jun 3, 2021

Here is an IWC c83 from 1942 based on movement number 1050x.

The caseback has 2 markings I've been unable to identify: a casemaker's mark "ML" and a dog/wolf’s head looking left with number 4 alongside. I assume the case was made by an external firm probably outside Switzerland. The case has fixed bars. If anyone is familiar with these markings, would appreciate any info you have.

Vintage IWC (International Watch Company) Information

queriver

nkb

nkb

Nobel Prize

vacheroyale

rfcs

rfcs

Nobel Prize

la_lusigne

rfcs

rfcs

Fallout Boy

rfcs

Flatfoot

rfcs

cineaste

Flatfoot

TimeODanaos

Flatfoot

queriver

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