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This watch, and its companion square model (Ref. 1876), were the last IWCs with the famous in-house Cal. 8541B movement.
To my knowledge, it first was produced in 1988, in honor of IWC's 120th anniversary, and last was available in 1996. I've seen a few "new old stock" ones in dealers' inventories since then, at least a few years ago.
The case had, at least for its time, an unusual feature. Sometimes called today a "half-hunter" by other companies, the rear caseback had a lid that could be flipped open, revealing a display back to showcase the movement. This iteration of the Cal. 8541B was gold plated.
I regret passing over an opportunity to get one a few years ago. It's never been first on my list, but I've always considered it as something special --and often overlooked.
1,128 Discussions and CommentsMember since March 28, 2001
More Info's to "The Ref 1850
The Ref 1850 is really a nice watch.
I heared that it even exists in a limeted version of 100 pieces in white gold.
The movement of the 1850 is contrary to the "normal version" of the c8541, not nickel plated, it is gold plated and has bluewed screws! I'll try to get a picture of one of these movements of someone hwo had such a watch...
Just an other remark: For me, as pocket watch collector (and probably also for others), a "Half Hunter" is a hunter pocketwatch with a small window in the center of the cover (and a special hour hand with two arrows) to read the time even when the watch is closed..... Probably somone will add a picture. Even IWC has produced some of them in the far past (especially for the English market sold to/by Stauffer&Son) end even some of them in the 80's (Ref 5411 & Ref 5608 with Cal 88 !)
Watches show the time flow, time to watch the watch show.
1,882 Discussions and CommentsMember since Oct. 28, 2002
hello Ralph, you are right ; there is a limited edition of 100 in white gold. They come in a special wooden box with white leather(or a material looking like leather ) inside and as a special feature, it has, 4 ( I believe )small round boxes with spare parts put next to the watch in the box.
3,778 Discussions and CommentsMember since March 28, 2001
The 1988 catalogue, with the price list of April 1989, confirms that this watch is made because of the 120 year anniversary. The case looks very much like those of the Da Vinci Perpetual Calendars of those days, including the strap connection. The catalogue doesn't mention the size of the watch, is it about 36 mm? I always thought it to be a bit special, because of that lid too: nowadays this would not be made that way, as it makes the watch thicker than necessary. The price in 1989 was a joke when compared to now, SFr. 7'900; in the 1996/97 catalogue with the price list of May 1997 this price was increased to SFr. 16'150. So, it was in the catalogue for quite some time. At the moment, with the present taste and fashion on watches, this would be a great ladies watch too. Enjoy this watch!
Kind regards, Paul
What you do may not be so important, but it is very important that you do it well. (my variation of a saying by Gandhi)
1,888 Discussions and CommentsMember since June 13, 2001Mansfield,Notts,
United Kingdom
Not strictly called a demi hunter ( a half hunter is so caleed because the front is a see through cover with a bulls eye glass in the centre and dial features replicated on the cover itself so that the time could be read without opening the cover completely as is necessary with the full hunter . The inner see through back plate of the 1850 is traditionally called a Couvert I believe
Here is a scan of the movement as seen through the couvert.
The "unknown" who started this thread in 2001 was me. Apparently when the new software transferred users it transferred "MF (moderator)" but not the person who posted as "MF". Brilliant. And the fact that the "archives" are now unlocked is equally problematic. Oh well...
That said, the Ref. 1850 is 35.5mm in diameter. Here's the dealers' book page on this model:
and for those looking for an image of the white gold 1850, here it is:
1,888 Discussions and CommentsMember since June 13, 2001Mansfield,Notts,
United Kingdom
Michael Friedberg Wrote:The "unknown" who started this thread in 2001 was me. Apparently when the new software transferred users it transferred "MF (moderator)" but not the person who posted as "MF". Brilliant. And the fact that the "archives" are now unlocked is equally problematic. Oh well...
That said, the Ref. 1850 is 35.5mm in diameter. Here's the dealers' book page on this model:
and for those looking for an image of the white gold 1850, here it is:
To my knowledge, it first was produced in 1988, in honor of IWC's 120th anniversary, and last was available in 1996. I've seen a few "new old stock" ones in dealers' inventories since then, at least a few years ago.
The case had, at least for its time, an unusual feature. Sometimes called today a "half-hunter" by other companies, the rear caseback had a lid that could be flipped open, revealing a display back to showcase the movement. This iteration of the Cal. 8541B was gold plated.
I regret passing over an opportunity to get one a few years ago. It's never been first on my list, but I've always considered it as something special --and often overlooked.
Regards,
Michael
The Ref 1850 is really a nice watch.
I heared that it even exists in a limeted version of 100 pieces in white gold.
The movement of the 1850 is contrary to the "normal version" of the c8541, not nickel plated, it is gold plated and has bluewed screws! I'll try to get a picture of one of these movements of someone hwo had such a watch...
Just an other remark: For me, as pocket watch collector (and probably also for others), a "Half Hunter" is a hunter pocketwatch with a small window in the center of the cover (and a special hour hand with two arrows) to read the time even when the watch is closed.....
Probably somone will add a picture. Even IWC has produced some of them in the far past (especially for the English market sold to/by Stauffer&Son) end even some of them in the 80's (Ref 5411 & Ref 5608 with Cal 88 !)
Watches show the time flow, time to watch the watch show.
Last edited: 23 May, 2013 - 23:51
do you know how many Da Vincis Ref 1850 were produced?
I bought one 2 days ago.
greetings
Schoe
They come in a special wooden box with white leather(or a material looking like leather ) inside and as a special feature, it has, 4 ( I believe )small round boxes with spare parts put next to the watch in the box.
tonny.berteloot@pandora.be
Kind regards,
Paul
What you do may not be so important, but it is very important that you do it well. (my variation of a saying by Gandhi)
Last edited: 23 October, 2011 - 13:31
Not strictly called a demi hunter ( a half hunter is so caleed because the front is a see through cover with a bulls eye glass in the centre and dial features replicated on the cover itself so that the time could be read without opening the cover completely as is necessary with the full hunter . The inner see through back plate of the 1850 is traditionally called a Couvert I believe
Here is a scan of the movement as seen through the couvert.
A very rare collectable watch nowadays and unisex
Ivan
iwcforme
iwcforme@aol.com
Last edited: 11 December, 2012 - 13:27
That said, the Ref. 1850 is 35.5mm in diameter. Here's the dealers' book page on this model:
and for those looking for an image of the white gold 1850, here it is:
Regards, Michael
mfriedberg@iwcforum.com
Last edited: 5 April, 2012 - 19:53
for comparison
Ivan
iwcforme
iwcforme@aol.com
Last edited: 11 December, 2012 - 13:27