Looking for some help to determine if this is watch is genuine and/or information about it. I’ve looked for this brand and not much is available . All I was able to find was that a Gubelin watch with a C83 movement was manufactured by IWC (International Watch Company) for the retailer Gubelin.
The movement is signed E. Gubelin Switzerland I.W 17 Jewels adjusted to 3 positions
- any additional information is appreciated.
A photo will assist greatly in the identification of the watch.
For some reason when I try to upload photos I get an error .. here is a link to the post in FB - https://www.facebook.com/groups/208268828923495/search/?q=gubelin
I looked at the pictures there and I can tell you the following from the movement and case numbers:
The watch is Cal 83, produced and delivered in 1945.
I cannot attest to the authenticity of the watch, but hands look OK and the dial shows a level of patina comensurate with age, with no attempted restoration.
Thank you for the prompt response. Would it be possible, assuming this is an original item, to let me know how rare or common the watch is? as you can see from the pictures I shared, movements signed with "E. Gubelin, Switzerland" instead of "International Watch Company," they appear to be uncommon based on a google search - but the search did not have a website or article for reference
Thank you in advanced
Ruben
Hi Rcastillo,
Gübelin is a renowned Swiss watch retailer that sells very high-quality watches. Watches bearing the Gübelin signature occasionally appear on the Swiss vintage market. I would say that these watches are quite rare. However, these re-signed watches from well-known manufacturers are usually not as sought after as watches bearing the original manufacturer's signature.
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Cromagnonman
Excuse my ignorance on this subject as I'm new at this - I don't understand what do you mean by "re-signed".. does it means fakes?
Re-signed means the retailer, in this case Gübelin, have put their mark on the dial as a collaboration. This was common practice and was done frequently by Türler and Tiffany, to name just two.
In no ways fake.
In some cases, the co-branding enhances the value of the watch.
In this case though, I agree with Cromagnonman, that an IWC signed dial will be more sought after.
For Gübelin that means that they buy the movement and most probably the case as parts. They assemble and sign the movement to high standards in the Gübelin workshops and then sell the watch witht their Signature and numbering. It is not only a new name printed on the dail, also the movement is signed as you already wrote.
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Cromagnonman
The Gubelin watch with a C83 movement you have was produced by IWC in 1945 and signed by the retailer Gübelin, which was common practice at the time. It is genuine and not a fake; “re-signed” means the retailer applied their mark while assembling the watch to high standards. Watches with the Gübelin signature are quite rare, but IWC-signed dials are generally more sought after by collectors.