Forums Latest Members

Vintage IWC (International Watch Company) Information

  1. Fallout Boy Jun 3, 2021

    Posts
    1,770
    Likes
    3,919
    IMO probably portuguese case or gold-plated (?) in Portugal. I don't , what know your number 4 means..
    .
    IWC Stempel Portugal.jpg
     
    queriver likes this.
  2. Flatfoot Jun 3, 2021

    Posts
    728
    Likes
    6,994
    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
     
    TimeODanaos and queriver like this.
  3. queriver Jun 3, 2021

    Posts
    1,299
    Likes
    2,423
    @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) ->

    upload_2021-6-3_23-55-41.png
     
    Edited Jun 3, 2021
    TimeODanaos likes this.
  4. TimeODanaos Jun 3, 2021

    Posts
    1,557
    Likes
    3,194
    I'm probably a bit more cautious - like you, I take care with all of them, but while this is in my rotation, just, it only gets a few special outings a year. But that infrequency does actually make it feel all the more special!
     
  5. Armano Jan 4, 2022

    Posts
    17
    Likes
    2
    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
     
  6. STANDY schizophrenic pizza orderer and watch collector Jan 4, 2022

    Posts
    16,311
    Likes
    44,718
    start a thread and add pictures
     
  7. hejsam May 3, 2022

    Posts
    2,038
    Likes
    14,796
    An 50s IWC with the automatic 853 movement
    03DDF5D0-2740-4680-B51E-27E4EACC68BB.jpeg
     
  8. Neeb May 7, 2022

    Posts
    172
    Likes
    206
    I posted about my IWC here: https://omegaforums.net/threads/iwc-ref-802-case-mystery.144595/

    DSC05244.JPG
    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.
     
    BlueHands and Fallout Boy like this.
  9. gatorcpa ΩF InvestiGator Staff Member May 7, 2022

    Posts
    12,168
    Likes
    15,629
    Hope you are sitting down when you get the quote. It will likely be double the value of the watch, if not more.
    gatorcpa
     
    watchyouwant likes this.
  10. Neeb May 7, 2022

    Posts
    172
    Likes
    206
    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..
     
  11. chrispegley Jun 2, 2022

    Posts
    36
    Likes
    59
  12. chrispegley Jun 2, 2022

    Posts
    36
    Likes
    59
    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 DSCF2675.JPG DSCF2671.JPG
     
  13. ezinternet Jul 28, 2022

    Posts
    242
    Likes
    2,017
    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. :)
    Ref 325 glow smaller.jpg
    2022 Portuguese 325 Wrist Crop small.jpg
    IWC Original Portuguese 1940 1559638633019.png
     
    Edited Jul 28, 2022
    BlueHands and size11s like this.
  14. Bourne1984 Jul 29, 2022

    Posts
    379
    Likes
    667
    I have found Vintage IWC to be a nightmare and a real minefield
     
  15. flw history nerd Jul 29, 2022

    Posts
    1,544
    Likes
    4,833
    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.
    20220729_081718.jpg 20220729_081702.jpg 20220729_081537.jpg
     
    vintage hab and Dan S like this.
  16. Bourne1984 Jul 29, 2022

    Posts
    379
    Likes
    667
    I’m not sure on the model but congratulations and good plan of action. Enjoy
     
    flw likes this.
  17. vintage hab Jul 29, 2022

    Posts
    655
    Likes
    2,237
    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.
     
    flw likes this.
  18. Neeb Jul 31, 2022

    Posts
    172
    Likes
    206
    I 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
     
    flw likes this.
  19. flw history nerd Jul 31, 2022

    Posts
    1,544
    Likes
    4,833
    This is very helpful. I appreciate it.
     
    Neeb likes this.
  20. Bourne1984 Jul 31, 2022

    Posts
    379
    Likes
    667
    The IWC aficionados are a god send
     
    flw likes this.