After several years of searching, I've finally found and added a circa-1879 calibre 28 to my pocket watch collection. To me, it's the missing link.
The calibre 28 is a so-called Pfister movement, named after IWC's CEO of that era. It, and its companion Savonette calibre 29, are known as "a bascule Pilier" -French for "rocking pillar", a movement characteristic I don't fully understand. What is notable about the movement, aside from its relative rarity, is the full three-quarters plate.
I consider this watch as a missing link to my collection in several ways. It completes to my thinking my collection of all basic pre-1900 IWC calibres. The collection goes from Jones (3 different examples) to Seelands (2, including a rare Boston), now to the Cal. 28, and then to Elgins (a rare Elgin I and an Elgin II Pallweber) and then to several Calibre IWC's, early 1890s forerunners of Calibre 52s, IWC's basic pocket watch movement during the first part of the 20th century.
I have more than a dozen pre-1900 IWC pocket watches, of which 12 -representing about 1500 years- are shown above. Most are in close-to-new condition and almost all have signed dials. To give you some idea of rarity, approximate numbers are 21,000 for Jones mostly in the 1870s, and about 20,000 Seelands from 1875-8 (in the mid-1880s there were 300 Bostons produced). There were possibly about 20,000 Pfisters from 1879 through 1884 (my calibre 28 is a low number and probably 1879). If I’ve counted correctly there were about 920 Elgin I’s from 1879-1887.
You also can see the evolution of movement design and construction in the thrid photo: from Jones (top left) to Seeland (top right) to Calibre 28 a bascule Pilier (bottom left) to Elgin. Also note the engraved balance cocks --I may have some close-ups of the decoration later.
Although I'm focusing on pre-1900’s IWCs, I also have many later examples. I’ll tell about those subsequently.
Regards, Michael
Calibre 28 a bascule Pilier, dial view
Calibre 28 a bascule Pilier, movement view
4 movements: 1874-1886, showing the evolution of early IWC movement construction
12 Pre-1900 IWC watches and 1500 years of history. 3 Jones (lower left) to IWC Calibre (top row)
2,633 Discussions and CommentsMember since Sept. 20, 2007
That is fantastic Michael - both from a collection
as well as a a personal (for you) point of view.
Now, the thing that strikes me here, is the magnificence of that hand engraving on the movement ! and the seemingly excellent condition of the piece. Is that dial original?
Enjoy - you deserve to have the collection complete.
I fear I get drawn into this pocket watch game here ......(with only a Calibre 95 from 1927 in my collection....things could get nasty on me if I dare to venture doiwn this route (financially I mean). ENJOY !
1,910 Discussions and CommentsMember since Aug. 4, 2001
Congratulations. And now what?...
The best part of collecting vintage watches is the "hunt". Now that you have the last trophy, what is next? I do not believe you will stop there. ,) Again, congratulations on the Magyar PW.
2,907 Discussions and CommentsMember since Nov. 14, 2008Taylor, TX,
United States
Great post and pictures!...
Congratulations, Michael on the acquisition of the Calibre 28. This is an impressive collection and I appreciated your historical narrative and movement evolution photos!
Best regards, Jim
Best regards, Jim
"We are the other people, we are the other people...you're the other people too!" Frank Zappa
The calibre 28 is a so-called Pfister movement, named after IWC's CEO of that era. It, and its companion Savonette calibre 29, are known as "a bascule Pilier" -French for "rocking pillar", a movement characteristic I don't fully understand. What is notable about the movement, aside from its relative rarity, is the full three-quarters plate.
I consider this watch as a missing link to my collection in several ways. It completes to my thinking my collection of all basic pre-1900 IWC calibres. The collection goes from Jones (3 different examples) to Seelands (2, including a rare Boston), now to the Cal. 28, and then to Elgins (a rare Elgin I and an Elgin II Pallweber) and then to several Calibre IWC's, early 1890s forerunners of Calibre 52s, IWC's basic pocket watch movement during the first part of the 20th century.
I have more than a dozen pre-1900 IWC pocket watches, of which 12 -representing about 1500 years- are shown above. Most are in close-to-new condition and almost all have signed dials. To give you some idea of rarity, approximate numbers are 21,000 for Jones mostly in the 1870s, and about 20,000 Seelands from 1875-8 (in the mid-1880s there were 300 Bostons produced). There were possibly about 20,000 Pfisters from 1879 through 1884 (my calibre 28 is a low number and probably 1879). If I’ve counted correctly there were about 920 Elgin I’s from 1879-1887.
You also can see the evolution of movement design and construction in the thrid photo: from Jones (top left) to Seeland (top right) to Calibre 28 a bascule Pilier (bottom left) to Elgin. Also note the engraved balance cocks --I may have some close-ups of the decoration later.
Although I'm focusing on pre-1900’s IWCs, I also have many later examples. I’ll tell about those subsequently.
Regards,
Michael
Calibre 28 a bascule Pilier, dial view
Calibre 28 a bascule Pilier, movement view
4 movements: 1874-1886, showing the evolution of early IWC movement construction
12 Pre-1900 IWC watches and 1500 years of history. 3 Jones (lower left) to IWC Calibre (top row)
Regards, Michael
mfriedberg@iwcforum.com
Last edited: 5 April, 2012 - 19:53
narrative of the history of the missing link.
Bill
Bill
Last edited: 23 June, 2012 - 20:15
as well as a a personal (for you) point of view.
Now, the thing that strikes me here, is the magnificence of that hand engraving on the movement ! and the seemingly excellent condition of the piece. Is that dial original?
Enjoy - you deserve to have the collection complete.
I fear I get drawn into this pocket watch game here ......(with only a Calibre 95 from 1927 in my collection....things could get nasty on me if I dare to venture doiwn this route (financially I mean). ENJOY !
Best regards
Mark
Last edited: 16 April, 2013 - 00:36
congratulations
Ivan
iwcforme
Ivan
iwcforme
iwcforme@aol.com
Last edited: 11 December, 2012 - 13:27
So is your quest over?
Isn't there always a little something more to add?
Was it that hard to get it and how long did it take to find it?
Argiris
Best regards
Argiris
Last edited: 29 October, 2011 - 21:11
The best part of collecting vintage watches is the "hunt". Now that you have the last trophy, what is next? I do not believe you will stop there. ,)
Again, congratulations on the Magyar PW.
clepsydra
ad fontes...
Last edited: 30 October, 2011 - 22:05
Congratulations, Michael on the acquisition of the Calibre 28. This is an impressive collection and I appreciated your historical narrative and movement evolution photos!
Best regards,
Jim
Best regards,
Jim
"We are the other people, we are the other people...you're the other people too!"
Frank Zappa
Last edited: 13 March, 2012 - 15:03
Great pocket watch and excellent story of the history!
Kind regards,
Clemens
Last edited: 30 May, 2012 - 20:59
Great movements and great collection, so now the quest is over? What will be your next challenge?
Regards,
roberto
Regards,
Roberto
Last edited: 11 January, 2013 - 11:07