5,025 Discussions and CommentsMember since Aug. 9, 2006
A very good watchmaker friend recently gave me these straps that are marked as an IWC strap. I am told they are from 1951. They were priced marked at $0.61. We are not sure if this is the wholesale or retail price. The lug width is 15 mm and the material is suede like. Each is embossed "made in N. Ireland". Maybe they are after market straps and not official straps authorized or sold by IWC.
My question is what IWC reference would have used these straps back in the 1950's. I presume the watch diameter was relatively small, perhaps a ladies' watch?
My curiosity is peaked. I have three of these. The watchmaker has several more in his collection.
1,589 Discussions and CommentsMember since May 16, 2002
There used to be a large pig farming industry in Northern Ireland so suede from N Ireland would have been quite common. As for the width of those straps, doesn't suprise me one bit. Good watches weren't about how big they were or how thick but how small and slim they were. So narrow straps would have been common. The N Ireland straps may have been a way of reducing import and purchase tax rates as there were some punitive rates levied and some down right ingenious methods used to circumnavigate such levies.
You might want to resea4rch possible watches through the old catalogs I've posted in the Vintage Catalog Project, http://www.iwcforum.com/Vintage_Catalogs.html
But I'd guess these 15mm ones were used for rectangular or possibly square watches.
My question is what IWC reference would have used these straps back in the 1950's. I presume the watch diameter was relatively small, perhaps a ladies' watch?
My curiosity is peaked. I have three of these. The watchmaker has several more in his collection.
Bill
The N Ireland straps may have been a way of reducing import and purchase tax rates as there were some punitive rates levied and some down right ingenious methods used to circumnavigate such levies.
Cheers Greg Chalk
Cvanwhite at aol dot com
Last edited: 21 February, 2013 - 13:47
But I'd guess these 15mm ones were used for rectangular or possibly square watches.
Regards, Michael
mfriedberg@iwcforum.com