IWC movement signed C403-423 What does it means ?

Greetings from France!
I urgently need info about my IWC with movement signed: C403-423
Is this some kind of rare IWC Caliber ? How many was produced ?
Any info welcome, Thanks for helping..!

The 403 had center seconds
The 423 had no seconds
The 4231 had seconds @ 6
You have a real couriosity, would love to see some photos.

Thanks a lot for your interest about this rare IWC Cal.403-423 in mint condition.
I'll love to send you some photos, just give me your email address,
Kind regards from France,
Olivier.

It would be helpful to all here if you could share photos,including the unusual movement markings.

Here's how to post images, courtesy of forum member Bill Barker:

Is this a not so discreet post of an IWC for sale? We expect posters to post pictures here on the forum and not to use this place to sell to anyone who offers to help answer a legitimate question. I apologize if this is not your intent.

Leosweenypod for your info is in charge of IWC repair in the UK.

Sorry Olivier, the point of the forum is to share the info, couriosities, passion and knowledge with all the community rather than entering into private email discussions.
Please post your photos using Michael/Bill's method so that all can see and offer opinions.

Thanks to all of you so nice to explain me how to post pictures on your forum !
Here are the pics...Waiting for your comments !
Greetings from France,
Olivier.

[](s1281.photobucket.com/user/ozim05/media/T2eC16RcE9s4PtIO-BRbrutZwbQ60_57_zpsc931d0dd.jpg.html)

[](s1281.photobucket.com/user/ozim05/media/T2eC16NyUE9s6NDMc9BRbruifTK60_3_zpscf0a5836.jpg.html)

[](s1281.photobucket.com/user/ozim05/media/T2eC16FE9s2fGJMBRbr6uORwQ60_57_zpse8fdc435.jpg.html)

[](s1281.photobucket.com/user/ozim05/media/T2eC16dy0E9s2S7mtBRbruqK9kg60_57_zps9b02617f.jpg.html)

Thanks a lot for this "how to post pictures" easy method. I just did it few minutes ago so I guess my pictures will soon be available on your forum for every one to give me usefull comments and info.
Many thanks,
Olivier.

Wow Olivier,
I think you have a rare one there. The calibre number is usually marked under the balance.
Your watch clearly has no center seconds,like a 423 but 403 is engraved on your mainplate under the balance. To change a 403 into a 423, you only need to change the bridge which in your movement is engraved C 403-423.
Maybe IWC needed to produce watches without seconds but had an over-stock of main-plates marked 403 so used them for 423 and engraved the bridge to indicate the intentional change.
Calibre 403:
[](s1152.photobucket.com/user/leosweeney/media/403.jpg.html)
Calibre 423:
[](s1152.photobucket.com/user/leosweeney/media/423.jpg.html)

I would have guessed that it is a 403 converted, perhaps initially, to a 423. But I would not say that it's "rare" but rather use the adjective "atypical". To me, this uniqueness, especially on this model, commands little or perhaps no market premium.

This case was produced around 1982 --still the dark ages for mechanical watches. Back then, the factory scurried to produce whatever might be unloaded, and several models were made with some "borrowed" existing parts.

Olivier,

Quoting the forum article on Sale web sites, such as Fleebay is in my opinion not in the spirit of this wonderful medium.

Bill you were sadly correct.

Truly sorry, I'm still new on this forum and I didn't know that it was forbidden to do so...I'll have within the next 5 minutes this quote took away !
Thanks a lot.

Very nice looking watch, the shape is both modern and classic, this mixture makes it intriguing to me. Is the movement rare because it was from the "dark ages"? That is, a rather new movement in that period?

The apparently implied for sale is not according to the forum rules. A newby missed this, quite understandable to me, I fail to see why someone noticing this is "sadly correct".

Kind regards,
Paul

Hi Paul
Thank you so much for your nice message ! As you say I am still a newby on this forum and I ALREADY/RIGHT AWAY REMOVED THE QUOTE FROM THE WEBSITE, again all my apologies for my mistake..!
Have a wonderful sunday,
Olivier.

Olivier,

Apologies accepted and your subsequent removal is acknowledged and appreciated.

Regards

Hi, this is an interesting piece.

I think it inicates a modification which was done for teh late c.403/423.
For the c.403 there was a small spring to hold down the center second hand.
Normally the movements without center second had an steelplate with a hole the c423 (without second) had a brass (or steel plate) plate with no hole.

The last versions (approx >2'200'000) shown in the pictures above have not this snalle plate anymore. would be interesting, to see a center second movement of that time.

regards

Ralph

Hi,
I found an IWC watch in an antique watch shop.Could anybody help me to find out if it is genuine.If you provide me email id I will forward the pictures.

Thanks
RON

Can someone help? I need to verify wheteher this IWC Chronograph watch is a fake or original: on the back its says, "DIE GROSSE FLIEGERUHR", IWC, 802963. On the outside back, "INTERNATIONAL WATCH COMPANY", "LIMITED EDITION PLATINUM". It has a black with white stitching full leather IWC strap. I can send pictures if needed. Thx

This should be interesting :o)

Please post pics
Here is a quick guide how to post pictures...

[
](s998.photobucket.com/user/Christoph63/media/IWC/HowtoPostaPictureRev4-2_zpse4a988891_zpsd77ccf5a.png.html)