Early Cal 63/64?

  • Philip jonespanorama_fish_eye
    Apprentice

    Member since: 07/09/2005
    16 years

    I am trying to get more information on an early 130000 series cal 63 watch. It is in a swiss hallmarked (helvetia) 18k case with AF as the maker. The case is numbered the same as the movement and was retailed by Manoah Rhodes, Bradford. The layout is the same as an IWC caliber not a 52/53. I believe the early 63 was produced to this layout but have not managed to get a picture. Were the early movements cased outside the factory? It has been suggested this is Boer war millitary, pre wristwatch.
    Any information on this little gem appreciated.

    Cal.63

    www.snapdrive.net/files/120065/P1010187.JPG

  • Michael Friedbergpanorama_fish_eye
    Moderator 〚✅〛

    Member since: 23/07/2010
    16 years

    Some information

    Hi PhilJxx,

    I have never heard of a legitimate case for an IWC watch where the case number is identical to the movement number.

    I have seen unsigned early calibres 63 and 64s, but most are stamped S&Co. and were exported to the UK for Stauffer & Co. (ther is more in the archives on that). Some more case and dial photos might help here.

    For some more infromation please see my article:
    www.iwcforum.com/Articles/Cal64/text.html

    and also looking at some of the old catalogs might help:
    www.iwcforum.com/Vintage_Catalogs.html

    I have no basis to assume this watch was for the Boer War --it sounds like a romantic tale spun by a seller.

    Regards,
    Michael

  • Philip jonespanorama_fish_eye
    Apprentice

    Member since: 07/09/2005
    16 years

    Some information

    Thanks for the reply, some great articles written under your name. I have found an exact reference pic and it appears to be a Kaliber 63 from about 1892 assuming the numbers are right. The retailer Manoah Rhodes & Co were an interesting Bradford firm. The founder, Manoah Rhodes, was Mayor of Bradford in 1873 and 1874 and had worked firstly from Westgate, Bradford between 1837 and 1866. He then took his sons into the business and moved to Kirkgate in Bradford where the firm continued until the early 1900s. I have found reference to Rhodes pieces with Peerless marked IWC movements. Is it worth pulling the dial to see if the plate is marked? Would an extract from the register be beneficial for this date of watch?
    Thanks again.

    Cal 63

    www.snapdrive.net/files/120065/P1010192.JPG

    www.snapdrive.net/files/120065/P1010189.JPG

  • Philip jonespanorama_fish_eye
    Apprentice

    Member since: 07/09/2005
    16 years
  • Michael Friedbergpanorama_fish_eye
    Moderator 〚✅〛

    Member since: 23/07/2010
    16 years

    I wouldn't check under the dial.,...

    It's not major surgery but I don't see anything of value to gain, Also, I would try to get an extract from the archives but I'm not sure you'll qualify --your case is not marked in a way that leads me to believe that movement was cased in Schaffhausen. If so, the serial number of the case won't be in Schaffhausen's records and they can't look anything up. But I think that's worth a try.

    How can you be sure about the retailer? The watch is not signed so there is nothing definitive.

    Regards,
    Michaelb

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