2 Discussions and CommentsMember since Sept. 1, 2010
Hi there.
I hope someone can help. We have a rather unique IWC watch that belonged to my father-in-law. It is solid gold bracelet and is embossed at the clasp with IWC. The back plate has number 2088501
I have done some research but never seen anything like it. It was suggested perhaps it was a commission piece. Did IWC do commission watches ?
I'd be interested if anyone can help !! Hopefully the images below will come out. If I can get further details from the watch please let me know and I will try.
Thanks in advance
Alan
Sorry unable to get the images uploaded just yet. I wil try again or you coudl try the URL directly
I can't tell for sure about this watch, but back in the late 1970s and early 1980s the Swiss watch industry was having a tough time. IWC mostly focused on pocket watches back then, in an effort to stay alive, but also produced some "jewelry style" watches. Often the production was quite small --I saw some sales records reflecting sales of 3 or 6 of a given model.
However, your watch looks a little unusual --note the printing on the name on the dial. That is somewhat like one or two examples in the 1982 catalog. Also, without checking I do not recognize the movement. If you have the numbers on the movement, please let us know since we often can authenticate it. Candidly, back then some watches had IWC cases but were "assembled" outside the factory and there is an issue of authenticity.
If you have the movement number (as well as what appears to be the case number) you can send them to IWC. For 50 CHF they will check their records and issue an "extract" from their archives --not a certificate of genuineness, but it helps with identification. Also, if you can tell us if there are any numbers inside the case back ( a watchmaker should open the watch) we might be able to tell you more.
2 Discussions and CommentsMember since Sept. 1, 2010
Hi Michael
Thanks for your quick and interesting response.
Late 70's early 80's would probably be about right. Given some of it's history I am now suspicious again it may not be authentic. The watch belonged to my father-in-law and we think was purchased in Nigeria (for quite a lot of money at the time and from a very reputable jeweller according to my mother-in-law).
I will try and get some details of the movement number and let you know incase you can help further. If it seems it could be authentic maybe we it will be worth seeing what IWC have to say.
I hope someone can help. We have a rather unique IWC watch that belonged to my father-in-law. It is solid gold bracelet and is embossed at the clasp with IWC. The back plate has number 2088501
I have done some research but never seen anything like it. It was suggested perhaps it was a commission piece. Did IWC do commission watches ?
I'd be interested if anyone can help !! Hopefully the images below will come out. If I can get further details from the watch please let me know and I will try.
Thanks in advance
Alan
Sorry unable to get the images uploaded just yet. I wil try again or you coudl try the URL directly
http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/101763977832897917110/IWC#.
I can't tell for sure about this watch, but back in the late 1970s and early 1980s the Swiss watch industry was having a tough time. IWC mostly focused on pocket watches back then, in an effort to stay alive, but also produced some "jewelry style" watches. Often the production was quite small --I saw some sales records reflecting sales of 3 or 6 of a given model.
This watch appears to be possibly one of those. You can see a similar but not identical watch in the 1981 catalog at
http://www.iwcforum.com/Catalogs/1981/0300011.jpg
You also can browse these old catalogs at
http://www.iwcforum.com/Vintage_Catalogs.html
However, your watch looks a little unusual --note the printing on the name on the dial. That is somewhat like one or two examples in the 1982 catalog. Also, without checking I do not recognize the movement. If you have the numbers on the movement, please let us know since we often can authenticate it. Candidly, back then some watches had IWC cases but were "assembled" outside the factory and there is an issue of authenticity.
If you have the movement number (as well as what appears to be the case number) you can send them to IWC. For 50 CHF they will check their records and issue an "extract" from their archives --not a certificate of genuineness, but it helps with identification. Also, if you can tell us if there are any numbers inside the case back ( a watchmaker should open the watch) we might be able to tell you more.
Regards, Michael
mfriedberg@iwcforum.com
Last edited: 5 April, 2012 - 19:53
Thanks for your quick and interesting response.
Late 70's early 80's would probably be about right. Given some of it's history I am now suspicious again it may not be authentic. The watch belonged to my father-in-law and we think was purchased in Nigeria (for quite a lot of money at the time and from a very reputable jeweller according to my mother-in-law).
I will try and get some details of the movement number and let you know incase you can help further. If it seems it could be authentic maybe we it will be worth seeing what IWC have to say.
Regards
Alan