It's not mine, but a collector in the U.K. wrote me. He said that he "bought it directly from the British Ministry of Defence in the 1970s together with a number of other precision clocks and watches, and it was delivered from Herstmonceux Castle so there is no question that this watch is genuine."
There is no question indeed. It is a British military watch with a rare and beautiful IWC Calibre 71 "fishtail" movement produced in 1917.
Here are three more photos, two of the movement and one of the caseback. On the movement in the second image, I felt that I had to block enough of the serial number to not affect the owner's privacy.
1,908 Discussions and CommentsMember since Aug. 4, 2001
A very special watch indeed, combining function and elegance, a rarity these days of cluttered dials. And with a very rare movement to boot. There was one for sale recently at a reputable German auction house, but I did not monitor it. I wonder how much she went for.
2,081 Discussions and CommentsMember since Jan. 7, 2005
Thank you so much Michael, thanks to the kind owner too.
The thing strikes me the most is the dynamic harmony of the ensemble of bridges and plate, it's not just the some of technical parts, this movement has such an architecture that makes it closer to a work of art rather than a mechanical instrument.
234 Discussions and CommentsMember since Jan. 21, 2011Bern,
Switzerland
just for curiosity Michael, wouldn't you expect that a watch of 1917 to exhibit on the movement the probus scafusia mark?? or since it was for the military sector it dose not carry it??
Simius, I'm not not sure without double-checking but I don't think that any IWC movements until 2000 (and then on the rotors) had Probus Scafusia stampings. I've always seen it on the inside of the case back.
There is no question indeed. It is a British military watch with a rare and beautiful IWC Calibre 71 "fishtail" movement produced in 1917.
Regards, Michael
mfriedberg@iwcforum.com
Last edited: 5 April, 2012 - 19:53
Michael, are these the only pictures you can share? Is the dial contemporary to the movement?
It really is something special, thank you very much for posting!
Regards,
Roberto
Last edited: 11 January, 2013 - 11:07
Thanks for sharing.
Best regards
No Fishtails Mark :~(
Best regards
Mark
Last edited: 16 April, 2013 - 00:36
Here are three more photos, two of the movement and one of the caseback. On the movement in the second image, I felt that I had to block enough of the serial number to not affect the owner's privacy.
Regards, Michael
mfriedberg@iwcforum.com
Last edited: 5 April, 2012 - 19:53
There was one for sale recently at a reputable German auction house, but I did not monitor it. I wonder how much she went for.
clepsydra
ad fontes...
Last edited: 30 October, 2011 - 22:05
The thing strikes me the most is the dynamic harmony of the ensemble of bridges and plate, it's not just the some of technical parts, this movement has such an architecture that makes it closer to a work of art rather than a mechanical instrument.
Fantastic, and rare, dial too!
Regards,
Roberto
Last edited: 11 January, 2013 - 11:07
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
Last edited: 13 April, 2013 - 14:58
Regards, Michael
mfriedberg@iwcforum.com
Last edited: 5 April, 2012 - 19:53
Thank you for sharing. It is a wonder to look at.
Kevin
Last edited: 29 March, 2012 - 21:17