• Member since: 28/10/2002
    3 years

    When you dive in the history of IWC, there are a lot of collectable watches.
    Most people know the ref 325 original Portugieser, the old Mark's Pilot
    watches, the Portofino Speigelei, but there are also forgotten gems to be
    found.

    Such a forgotten one from more recent history ( 90's ) is the ref 3520, the
    Porsche Design in titanium, for the moment easy to find at great prices.

    And when we go a bit further in time, we discover some nice square watches
    from the seventies. During last months, I was on the hunt for a ref 1871,
    square 34mm/34mm, not to big , but being square, still some serious wrist
    presence. Perfect to wear , even in todays big watch fashion.

    The ref 1871 can with different dials, most common is the sunray type dial
    with a square inner dial, then some are found with a blue dial. At a point, I
    found another type of dial, silver but without the stripes and "automatic" on
    the dial as it was written. So special so I bought this one. It came with a
    steel bracelet.

    I liked the 1871 on the wrist so much that I kept looking to buy the right
    1871 with the other silver dial. And this one arrived today. It came with a
    leather strap.

    Both have the famous cal 8541, designed by A. Pellaton ticking inside, another
    bonus.

    A collector friend pointed out to me that both had the black date disc. I have
    seen some blue dials, all have the black date disc, on the silver ones, it is
    mixed, some have the white date disc, others the black. I kind of like the
    black date disc.

    Here is a picture of the blue dial, picture borrowed from the internet, not my
    watch.

    And here is a page of the catalogue

    And since I like square IWC watches, here some more from my collection

    To compare, the ref 1871 and the Quartz Electronic

    Thanks for reading. Any other collector loving a square IWC ?

  • Mr. Jordan Lebenbaumpanorama_fish_eye
    Apprentice

    Member since: 24/12/2013
    3 years

    Lovely pieces Tonny.

    I agree, they are still "undiscovered" by collectors in general.

    Yet, it seems these square watches were rather limited in production and thus
    extremely difficult to find.

    Well done assembling this fine collection!

  • Cinqpanorama_fish_eye
    Master 〚✅〛

    Member since: 18/12/2006
    3 years

    Thanks for the very interesting article Tonny! And congratulations on your
    very nice collection of square IWC's.

    Kind regards,

    Clemens

    New signature!

  • Bill B.panorama_fish_eye
    Master 〚✅〛

    Member since: 09/08/2006
    3 years

    Nicely done, Sir Square Pants Tonny B. Nice addition to your massive
    collection.

    Bill

  • Wil Mapanorama_fish_eye
    Apprentice 〚✅〛

    Member since: 21/10/2009
    3 years

    Nice watches Tonny!

    Greetings from another version of the 1871: white dial without sunray and
    white date disc. It got wristtime this week and wears well.

  • Mark Flemingerpanorama_fish_eye
    Master 〚✅〛

    Member since: 07/07/2013
    3 years

    Lovely square watches on display.

  • nz666adpanorama_fish_eye
    Apprentice 〚✅〛

    Member since: 18/11/2018
    3 years

    Thanks for posting these watches.

    I have a real soft spot for non-round watches and have owned several.

    No IWCs but several VC/PP/JLC to name a few.

  • Nelson Herringhelp_outline
    Master 〚✅〛

    Member since: 22/03/2001
    3 years

    A unique niche collection you have there. Glad to be re-introduced to them.

    Nelson

  • 8541panorama_fish_eye
    Master 〚✅〛

    Member since: 20/09/2007
    3 years

    Tonny, when your first "square" turned up unannounced - the receiver thought
    it was mine. I should have said "Yes... it's mine!".

    What a superb collection of squares - all housing my most favourite of IWC
    Calibres.

    Best regards
    Mark

  • Milltownbrotherpanorama_fish_eye
    Apprentice

    Member since: 05/10/2024
    2 months

    Hi


    Newbie to the forum here. 
    I love neo vintage IWC and found the square ref 1871 reference is stunning.

    I recently came across a version I am considering purchasing that has a blue square in the centre with blue date wheel. I do wonder if the dial has been refinished tho.

    Is anyone aware if the watch was made with this type of ‘tuxedo’ dial?

    It doesn’t appear in the catalogue I found online, but then again, there already seems to be 4 types of dial even on the thread forum threads! (The catalogue has 3 :-)  )


    Many thanks

    Nick

  • Catherinehelp_outline
    Master 〚✅〛

    Member since: 13/09/2002
    2 months

    The blue centre chapter in the states is a redial.

  • Clepsydrahelp_outline
    Master 〚✅〛

    Member since: 04/08/2001
    2 months

    “It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so.”
    Mark Twain

  • Clepsydrahelp_outline
    Master 〚✅〛

    Member since: 04/08/2001
    2 months

    Ref 1144

    “It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so.”
    Mark Twain

  • Mark Flemingerpanorama_fish_eye
    Master 〚✅〛

    Member since: 07/07/2013
    2 months

    WoW 

    This is magnificent  :o)

  • Milltownbrotherpanorama_fish_eye
    Apprentice

    Member since: 05/10/2024
    2 months

    Thanks! Disappointing but good to know

  • Mr. giuliano bizziocchipanorama_fish_eye
    Connoisseur 〚✅〛

    Member since: 15/12/2003
    2 months

    my contribute...

  • Nelson Herringhelp_outline
    Master 〚✅〛

    Member since: 22/03/2001
    2 months

    So very elegant!