2 Discussions and CommentsMember since July 24, 2011
I have just recently acquired this IWC wristwatch, tho it looks quite a nice piece I have since acquiring it begun to have my doubts to it being a genuine IWC or not, it measures 45mm across the case including the winding button,the backcover is clear glass so as to view the movement, it has a serial number of 690631, the case is stainless steel,winding button looks to be plated on close viewing, the small offset seconds is situated at 9 oclock. I would be most pleased for any assistance from members or the Moderator should you have any information regarding this model. I have a IWC vintage wrist watch these many years and when first purchased in the early 1980s I actually sent it back to Schaffhausen in those days for servicing their after sales service was supreme, and the watch is still as accurate today and has the looks to go with it. Many Thanks up front for looking at this posting.
2,996 Discussions and CommentsMember since April 2, 2011Hong Kong,
Hong Kong
hmmm. first interesting point is I didn't realize one could start a post in Archives, lol.
second interesting point is the provenance of this watch, and thanks for posting Chemawa. right off a question to the experts of the forum from an amateur: could this be one of the 304 pieces of the ref 325 Portugeisers ?
The dial design looks different from previous ref 325s I have seen. The movement design however looks real to me, but this is just my opinion, compared against pics from Michael's excellent website. I also quote: Calibre 73 and 74 pocket watches often are easily identifiable from the dial and case, without even viewing the distinctive finger bridge movement. Frequently as products of the 1920s, they often had Art Deco style dials with stylized numerals. The relatively thin cases often had striped engravings or Grecian motifs on the bezel area, sometimes filled with enamel.
Being relatively small for a full-sized pocket watch movement, the Calibre 74 was also used in IWC's first wristwatch that used a pocket watch movement, the famous Portuguese wristwatch (reference 325). 304 examples were used in the Portuguese wristwatches between 1939 and 1952.
DateYourIWC by case and movement number (I prefer the applet version at the bottom), created by Marco Schönenberger, says: Movement number 690,631 Case number 690,631 Main findings: Summary The movement is a LÈp. calibre 73, dating from the year 1918. Valid entry in "Index of Movement Numbers" 1918 690,101-691,300 Lép. c. 73 - 17lig. H 4
This article by Marco Schönenberger states: gen. ref. cal. name/ Production 1. 325 74 Original Portuguese (Ur-Portugieser) 1939 - 1944 (a few even later) around 304 pieces known
Regards, Shing | email iwcforme1976 (at) gmail (dot) com time does not change us. it just unfolds us. max frisch. all that really belongs to us is time; even he who has nothing else has that. baltasar gracian.
I'm sorry to tell you: your watch is a so-called marriage. The movement is an authentic calibre 73 but the case and dial are not by IWC. Someone took a pocket watch movement and put a new case frame around it (using the case back) and had a dial made.
The easiest way to tell is that, with exception of the Portuguese Repeater from the 1990s, never made a watch with the only indication being seconds at 9 o'clock. All were at 6. IWC never used a calibre 73 in a wristwatch. Your watch is not an original Portuguese.
I would be most pleased for any assistance from members or the Moderator should you have any information regarding this model.
I have a IWC vintage wrist watch these many years and when first purchased in the early 1980s I actually sent it back to Schaffhausen in those days for servicing their after sales service was supreme, and the watch is still as accurate today and has the looks to go with it.
Many Thanks up front for looking at this posting.
second interesting point is the provenance of this watch, and thanks for posting Chemawa. right off a question to the experts of the forum from an amateur: could this be one of the 304 pieces of the ref 325 Portugeisers ?
The dial design looks different from previous ref 325s I have seen. The movement design however looks real to me, but this is just my opinion, compared against pics from Michael's excellent website. I also quote:
Calibre 73 and 74 pocket watches often are easily identifiable from the dial and case, without even viewing the distinctive finger bridge movement. Frequently as products of the 1920s, they often had Art Deco style dials with stylized numerals. The relatively thin cases often had striped engravings or Grecian motifs on the bezel area, sometimes filled with enamel.
Being relatively small for a full-sized pocket watch movement, the Calibre 74 was also used in IWC's first wristwatch that used a pocket watch movement, the famous Portuguese wristwatch (reference 325). 304 examples were used in the Portuguese wristwatches between 1939 and 1952.
DateYourIWC by case and movement number (I prefer the applet version at the bottom), created by Marco Schönenberger, says:
Movement number 690,631
Case number 690,631
Main findings: Summary
The movement is a LÈp. calibre 73, dating from the year 1918.
Valid entry in "Index of Movement Numbers"
1918 690,101-691,300 Lép. c. 73 - 17lig. H 4
This article by Marco Schönenberger states:
gen. ref. cal. name/ Production
1. 325 74 Original Portuguese (Ur-Portugieser)
1939 - 1944 (a few even later)
around 304 pieces known
Regards, Shing | email iwcforme1976 (at) gmail (dot) com
time does not change us. it just unfolds us. max frisch.
all that really belongs to us is time; even he who has nothing else has that. baltasar gracian.
Last edited: 8 December, 2012 - 16:07
The easiest way to tell is that, with exception of the Portuguese Repeater from the 1990s, never made a watch with the only indication being seconds at 9 o'clock. All were at 6. IWC never used a calibre 73 in a wristwatch. Your watch is not an original Portuguese.
Sorry!
Regards, Michael
mfriedberg@iwcforum.com
Last edited: 5 April, 2012 - 19:53
Ivan
iwcforme
iwcforme@aol.com
Last edited: 11 December, 2012 - 13:27
Regards Terry