Two weeks ago I picked up my FL23883 IWC in the Netherlands. It has it's original leather strap and it works great.
Now I contacted the IWC factory to get some information about a birth-certificate. Yes it can be done, but only in combination with the removal/exchange from the radium hands and lumes. Are there any members here with this experience? I just wanted a certificate from IWC, but don't like the idea of removing or change anything about this watch.
Thanks a lot from Germany!
Egon
In order to get a certificate from IWC, they need to inspect the watch. In Switzerland, employees are protected by health legislation and this forbids to work, handle any radioactive material if it isn't done in special location, under secure environment. So they need to exchange hands an lume.
I am afraid that will be it, no possibilities to get it done otherwise.
One has nothing to do with the other, right? In any case, the timepiece must be opened in a protective environment. This is available at IWC, so the lid can be opened safely, right? Moreover, in the past, IWC has provided these types of timepieces with a certificate, without removing the radium. From when is this no longer allowed in this way?
I only know of the current situation : IWC has to send the watch to a specialised facility to remove any radioactive material, they can not do it inhouse.
If it is not done ( with proof of it ) IWC will not open the case to inspect the watch.
Tony is right..
All personnel at IWC is protected to handle any vintage watch of which they suspect that is has a radium painted dial and/or hands.
The watch is therefore tested for radioactive activity using a Geiger counter.upon arrival in Schaffhausen.
If the test indicates any radiation high or low; the watch remains untouched and the owner is warned about the steps to follow.
These are ;
1,The watch is sent to a company in Switzerland, certified to handle radioactive objects.
2. Here the dial and hands are removed and destroyed, the movement is as well desinfected, as crumbles of the paint may have landed in the movement.
3.The watch is returned to IWC without dial and hands.
4. IWC mounts a complete new dial and hands (new made) pai,ted with superluminova and a complete service is carried out.
5. Only if the owner agrees all former steps, an extract of the arcives is provided.
IWC does not alter the procedure for any customer but the result is that the original dial and hands are lost.
I am aware of a collector who had let remove the radium paint and relume the original dial with superluminova and hands in the UK, a procedure which by the way is forbidden by law.
This 'cleaned' watch was offered for an extract of the archives. Here still increased radiation was found, while the owner could not measure remaining radiation. However, IWC persisted to carry out the steps as indicated above. That collector was disappointed and the watch was returned to him untouched and without the extract.
Regards,
Adrian,
(alwaysiwc).
I think I would rather retain an original watch than have an extract from the archives for a non-original watch. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
