I learned, in another discussion on the forum, that this is one of IWC's models which does not fit into any of the brand's major families. I know it was manufactured in 1969, but don't know if that was the only year. I find no online reviews. Thanks for any additional facts, thoughts, etc.
I have a 1943 men's rectangular IWC in a three piece 18K rose gold case with black dial and I think caliber 62 movement. Since 1941 to 1946 is a blackout period for the company catalog, can anyone help me find the correct reference number for this model?
This purchase was a gamble. I had one over 40 years ago. It was damaged beyond repair. I saw this in an ad in which a NYC dealer who described having purchased it from someone who said they had completely restored it -- a double gamble. When it arrived, it looked good except there was none of the advertised lume on the hands so I sent it back to the dealer to have that done. When the dealer's watchmaker examined it: "No significant issues, but a couple things we just want to look at while it's here, at no charge of course.
We're going to install a new crystal - there's a small issue with the fit of the current one which could allow moisture into the watch.
And we want to test the seconds post as we noticed a small issue when he took the hands off.
Part of the delay has been due to the watch repairer's observing that the paint is hardened on the hands more than usual so he has been checking to see if he happened to be able to locate a back up set just in case in the unlikely event they were damaged, proceeding with an abundance of caution.
So, fingers crossed -- but they do confirm Anders' identification of it as R815a
imgur.com/a/ntDW8 Does anyone have any experience with this watch? The movement is dated from 1938 and the case is from 1939. Any help is appreciated. Thank you.
Anders, I wanted to look at that 1972 catalog link for the Reference 815a, but the link now leads me to a blank screen-page. If you still have it handy, would you please provide it again.
Thanks, Anders ... I’ve been trying to identify this watch precisely, partly because I intend to sell it (toward purchase of a Mark XVIII), but also just to know. I sent the case number to IWC and they replied: “In response to your request, the reference in question was never attributed to a name. Based on the information from our previous catalogues, we can confirm that this timepiece was known as the ‘815AD‘ and from 1971 it was known as the ‘1815‘.” So, it is the IWC No-Name.