More information request - IWC pocket watch

[Bergs]

Hi all,

I've recently acquired a pocket watch through a family member, very little is known about it other than it came over with my grandpa during the war and his family were from Silesia/Germany. The initials match those of my 2nd great grandfather (Kurt). My grandpa died about 15 years ago so any details died with him.


Anyway, I'd love to know a little more about it. Anything would be nice - its potential age, model, etc. I am assuming the engraved date of 1884 is sometime around when it would have been made?







Its in pretty poor condition, I'm tempted to get it cleaned but I dont want it to look brand new, I like how its a little rough around the edges - it shows its been used but any tips just to keep it looking nice would be handy.
It does work when we wind it up, should I keep it running or leave it?

I'm not interested in selling it, its probably worth more to us that it would be to anyone else.

[bigandclever]

Just as a pointer, to my eye that looks like a calibre 53.



Early (pre-1900) dials usually had Roman numerals, then they moved to Breguet dials after.

Serial number 426534 makes it manufactured between 1907 to 1913. Case has a different number but still from the same period.

Edited by bigandclever on Tuesday 6th October 13:56

[Bergs]

thank you, I've just done a search on Calibre 53 and found a number of useful websites.

Ive no idea what the watch commemorated but its nice to have an idea of how old it actually is.

[bigandclever]

I guess that’s a question for the genealogy sites

[anonymous-user]

What a great thing to have, passed on for all these years down through your family.

[Bergs]

I've just seen your comment regarding the case number being a different one - does that mean that maybe the internal workings aren't in the original case?

[bigandclever]

Bergs said:

I've just seen your comment regarding the case number being a different one - does that mean that maybe the internal workings aren't in the original case?

As I understand it, IWC stuck with making timepieces and contracted out the case making, so it’s probably not surprising (inevitable, even?) that they don’t match. As said, they both fit in the same manufacturing period. You’d only do any research based on the movement serial number in any case.

[Bergs]

El stovey said:

What a great thing to have, passed on for all these years down through your family.

It's nice to have! It was given to my dad and he gave it to me so I'll be continuing the tradition at some point.

[Bergs]

bigandclever said:

Bergs said:

I've just seen your comment regarding the case number being a different one - does that mean that maybe the internal workings aren't in the original case?

As I understand it, IWC stuck with making timepieces and contracted out the case making, so it’s probably not surprising (inevitable, even?) that they don’t match. As said, they both fit in the same manufacturing period. You’d only do any research based on the movement serial number in any case.

Makes sense!

thanks again

[bigandclever]

It’s difficult to see a hallmark on the case but, if you didn’t know, “0,585” is the equivalent of 14karat gold which is more typical of jewellery for the US market.

[bigandclever]

Found this one on a Russian site for sale, with some decent pictures of a ‘tidier’ watch. 467xxx vs your 426xxx serial. Hands are more ornate on yours, and of course the case engraving. Don’t click if you don’t want to see the asking price

http://de.shopotam.ru/catalog/Uhren_And_Schmuck/Ar...

[Bergs]

bigandclever said:

It’s difficult to see a hallmark on the case but, if you didn’t know, “0,585” is the equivalent of 14karat gold which is more typical of jewellery for the US market.

I didnt know this, I do now.

[Bergs]

bigandclever said:

Found this one on a Russian site for sale, with some decent pictures of a ‘tidier’ watch. 467xxx vs your 426xxx serial. Hands are more ornate on yours, and of course the case engraving. Don’t click if you don’t want to see the asking price

http://de.shopotam.ru/catalog/Uhren_And_Schmuck/Ar...

wow, thats in immaculate condition compared to mine but it looks the same, even down to the slight texture on the casing.

price is more than I'd expected but at least I know to put it on the insurance!