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Fallout Boy
·IMO probably portuguese case or gold-plated (?) in Portugal. I don't , what know your number 4 means..
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Vintage IWC (International Watch Company) Information
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Flatfoot
·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.
lovely watch, the teardrop case is very appealing.
I believe the ML is a cameo type sponsor mark, to identify the case as it was present to some authority who assayed the case material as to its purity. My understanding is that the sponsor mark is applied first, then the assay mark is applied following gold content confirmation.
I was unable to find either the sponsor mark, or the wolfs head symbol with its number 4 following a quick search through a quick look of the online resources I have found. Perhaps others can help out. Consequently, I would agree with your belief that the watch was cased outside of Switzerland. The second link below shows marks cataloged from around the world, so with a fresh cup of coffee and some time, a deep dive into that link may provide the answer for you.
I believe you can get a COA from IWC for your watch. If you do, that may show you some clues as to the country the watch was delivered to, and may narrow your search.
some case mark links that I have found helpful are:
https://www.vintagewatchstraps.com/casemarks.php
https://www.925-1000.com/foreign_marks.html
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queriver
·@Fallout Boy @Flatfoot Thank you both for your input. Further to my previous post, the only vague info from a few years ago I have about these marks was that someone who also has ML on their IWC caseback posted somewhere that it represents an unknown/unnamed Austrian casemaker. I've also read that the wolf/dog mark with 4 denotes a 14k gold case (and below graphic seems to confirm that). Hungary had marks with wolves but so do the Portuguese, as FalloutBoy mentions, so in all likelihood it comes from some place between the Atlantic and the Danube.
From (http://magyarermebolt.hu/catalog/hallmarks.php) ->
From (http://magyarermebolt.hu/catalog/hallmarks.php) ->
Edited:
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TimeODanaos
·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?
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Armano
·Hello
Can anyone help me with this one.Only I know about it ,is bought new 1970.I think it is some 1963.model.
Now I know it has no original straps,crown.glass and hands,all other is in perfect working konditions and all ove, watch is in very good condition for its ages , IT is 18k 750 solid gold model 36mm .
Anyone knows more or maybe some fair selling price?
Thank you in advance
Can anyone help me with this one.Only I know about it ,is bought new 1970.I think it is some 1963.model.
Now I know it has no original straps,crown.glass and hands,all other is in perfect working konditions and all ove, watch is in very good condition for its ages , IT is 18k 750 solid gold model 36mm .
Anyone knows more or maybe some fair selling price?
Thank you in advance
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STANDY
··schizophrenic pizza orderer and watch collectorA ArmanoHello
Can anyone help me with this one.Only I know about it ,is bought new 1970.I think it is some 1963.model.
Now I know it has no original straps,crown.glass and hands,all other is in perfect working konditions and all ove, watch is in very good condition for its ages , IT is 18k 750 solid gold model 36mm .
Anyone knows more or maybe some fair selling price?
Thank you in advance
start a thread and add pictures
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hejsam
·An 50s IWC with the automatic 853 movement
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Neeb
·I posted about my IWC here: https://omegaforums.net/threads/iwc-ref-802-case-mystery.144595/
As I explain in that thread it's a bit of a mystery, as it seems to be an R802A, but with a subtly different case design froim teh standard R802A. Anyway, I've just sent it to IWC for an estimate for servicing, so maybe they can tell me something about it.
As I explain in that thread it's a bit of a mystery, as it seems to be an R802A, but with a subtly different case design froim teh standard R802A. Anyway, I've just sent it to IWC for an estimate for servicing, so maybe they can tell me something about it.
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Neeb
·Damn... Really?
They've been very nice and polite so far, now perhaps I know why!
Well, if the worst comes to the worst they might be able to tell me something about the watch, and if the quote is ridiculous I can take the watch back and send it to watch guy instead..
They've been very nice and polite so far, now perhaps I know why!
Well, if the worst comes to the worst they might be able to tell me something about the watch, and if the quote is ridiculous I can take the watch back and send it to watch guy instead..
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chrispegley
·[
ATTACH]1423974[/ATTACH] View attachment 1423975 View attachment 1423977 View attachment 1423979 View attachment 1423980 View attachment 1423981 View attachment 1423982 View attachment 1423983 View attachment 1423984 View attachment 1423985 View attachment 1423986 View attachment 1423987 View attachment 1423988 this is another watch that insisted I bought it ..sometime in the nineties 1960s I think
ATTACH]1423974[/ATTACH] View attachment 1423975 View attachment 1423977 View attachment 1423979 View attachment 1423980 View attachment 1423981 View attachment 1423982 View attachment 1423983 View attachment 1423984 View attachment 1423985 View attachment 1423986 View attachment 1423987 View attachment 1423988 this is another watch that insisted I bought it ..sometime in the nineties 1960s I think
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chrispegley
·2nd attempt
This is another watch that insisted I buy it
I think it was in the late 90s
it was sold to me as a 60s watch but looking at the serial no 1104191 it coud be 40s/50s any other info greatly received
This is another watch that insisted I buy it
I think it was in the late 90s
it was sold to me as a 60s watch but looking at the serial no 1104191 it coud be 40s/50s any other info greatly received
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ezinternet
·Just wanted to share one of my IWC collection, a Portugieser reference 325
It carries the reminders of time and humidity, but the dial markings still shimmer at an angle.
This watch is almost identical to the original 1940 dial selected by Michael Friedberg in this article:
https://www.iwc.com/en/forum/five-great-portugiesers.html (one must configure/allow cookies&location for IWC site)
At wrist-to-eye distance the aging/flaws on the dial are much less obvious. 😀
It carries the reminders of time and humidity, but the dial markings still shimmer at an angle.
This watch is almost identical to the original 1940 dial selected by Michael Friedberg in this article:
https://www.iwc.com/en/forum/five-great-portugiesers.html (one must configure/allow cookies&location for IWC site)
At wrist-to-eye distance the aging/flaws on the dial are much less obvious. 😀
Edited:
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Bourne1984
·I have found Vintage IWC to be a nightmare and a real minefield
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flw
··history nerdThis is an area where I'm almost completely ignorant, and I'd appreciate any advice, suggestions, or comments.
I've attached a few photos of a vintage IWC. The watch belonged to my wife's grandfather. Her grandmother passed away a few months ago at the age of 98, and my mother-in-law found this among her mother's possessions. My wife has fond memories from her childhood of her grandfather wearing this watch on Sundays and special occasions. As the engraving on the caseback signifies, the watch was a retirement gift to her grandfather, who spent four decades as a butcher in an A&P supermarket. My mother-in-law has gifted it to me, and to my knowledge it was never serviced.
From what I can see, the watch was appreciated and treated with care. The dial seems good, as well as the hands, and I'm guessing that the crown is original and something that should stay. My intention is to get the movement serviced, the case tidied up (but not polished), and the strap replaced with an OEM strap and buckle. Anything else? Other suggestions are very welcome.
I've attached a few photos of a vintage IWC. The watch belonged to my wife's grandfather. Her grandmother passed away a few months ago at the age of 98, and my mother-in-law found this among her mother's possessions. My wife has fond memories from her childhood of her grandfather wearing this watch on Sundays and special occasions. As the engraving on the caseback signifies, the watch was a retirement gift to her grandfather, who spent four decades as a butcher in an A&P supermarket. My mother-in-law has gifted it to me, and to my knowledge it was never serviced.
From what I can see, the watch was appreciated and treated with care. The dial seems good, as well as the hands, and I'm guessing that the crown is original and something that should stay. My intention is to get the movement serviced, the case tidied up (but not polished), and the strap replaced with an OEM strap and buckle. Anything else? Other suggestions are very welcome.
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Bourne1984
·This is an area where I'm almost completely ignorant, and I'd appreciate any advice, suggestions, or comments.
I've attached a few photos of a vintage IWC. The watch belonged to my wife's grandfather. Her grandmother passed away a few months ago at the age of 98, and my mother-in-law found this among her mother's possessions. My wife has fond memories from her childhood of her grandfather wearing this watch on Sundays and special occasions. As the engraving on the caseback signifies, the watch was a retirement gift to her grandfather, who spent four decades as a butcher in an A&P supermarket. My mother-in-law has gifted it to me, and to my knowledge it was never serviced.
From what I can see, the watch was appreciated and treated with care. The dial seems good, as well as the hands, and I'm guessing that the crown is original and something that should stay. My intention is to get the movement serviced, the case tidied up (but not polished), and the strap replaced with an OEM strap and buckle. Anything else? Other suggestions are very welcome.
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vintage hab
·It’s good that you know the origin of the watch. Great heirloom. You have a sound plan but do make sure you take it to a competent watch maker.
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Neeb
·This is an area where I'm almost completely ignorant, and I'd appreciate any advice, suggestions, or comments.
I've attached a few photos of a vintage IWC. The watch belonged to my wife's grandfather. Her grandmother passed away a few months ago at the age of 98, and my mother-in-law found this among her mother's possessions. My wife has fond memories from her childhood of her grandfather wearing this watch on Sundays and special occasions. As the engraving on the caseback signifies, the watch was a retirement gift to her grandfather, who spent four decades as a butcher in an A&P supermarket. My mother-in-law has gifted it to me, and to my knowledge it was never serviced.
From what I can see, the watch was appreciated and treated with care. The dial seems good, as well as the hands, and I'm guessing that the crown is original and something that should stay. My intention is to get the movement serviced, the case tidied up (but not polished), and the strap replaced with an OEM strap and buckle. Anything else? Other suggestions are very welcome.
http://nakahiro.parfait.ne.jp/catarog1970/moji/iwc1970.html
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flw
··history nerdI think this is IWC's model Ref. 810 A from the early 1970s. If you look at the third image/page in this scanned cataologue from 1970 you can see one that looks very like yours in gold, with a date feature (Ref. 810 AD). Without the date feature it is Ref. 810 A.
http://nakahiro.parfait.ne.jp/catarog1970/moji/iwc1970.html
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Bourne1984
·The IWC aficionados are a god send
