Hi Guys
Trawling through a dealer's watches today I spotted this
Foolishless and in my excitement forgot to take photos of case and dial
but it was I believe an early IWC digital minute jumping watch.
Here is the movement pic, which I did snap
I told the chap it was rather special and worth money and didnt make an offer
Struggling to find info or sales records - any info/date/rarity you can offer about it would be appreciated
Hi Bricabrac
Firstly the watch is called a Pallweber.
Josef Pallweber was an Austrian engineer, inventor of the jumping numerals mechanism.
2322 could be the serial number, as Pallwebers were, for a time given their own numbering, until their numbering was integrated with IWC system.
A web search will supply you with more details.
Thankyou for replying Mark
Yes, I saw after posting that it was Pallweber not Paul - I couldnt see that name on the stamping on the movement at the time I posted
Having now trawled the internet I see a lot of articles on the 150th reissue of this watch, though I think the watch dates to mid 1880's?
Is the number 2322 the serial number or the patent number?
Here's a rough snap I did get of the watch when it was in the box before I had a look. The dial looks ok although crown/stem missing
Thanks again
Pallweber Pocketwatches are truly iconic.
If you want to know more about them, this forum is a great source of information.
Just type in „Pallweber“ in the search field and you will find dozens of entries.
Philipp
Thankyou Philip for your reply
I have been reading around since first uploading
I wonder if this could be an early/rare Pallweber 1
Is there any way of telling from the movement photo?
thankyou
Hi Bricabrac
The low number on the caliber (2322) indicates that your watch is an early Pallweber. I have not checked the numbers but it is likely a Pallweber I.
I did some research (Book „The International Watch Co. from 1875 to 1890“).
One main difference between the very similar movements Pallweber I and Pallweber Il is, that the Pallweber Il has three characteristic support holes of the ten-minute cock. The ten-minute cock is where „Patent Pallweber“ is written and this watch has three holes there. Therefore, it seems to be a Pallweber ll in my opinion.
Philipp
Thankyou Philipp
So, based on the distinctive three holes at 10 it is a Pallweber II?
Good to know - and slightly disappointing - I thought my vendor chum had a real rarity
Is the 2322 the serial number and would that date it to mid 1880's?
Do we know how many of these were made?
many thanks
From another book („IWC-Uhren“ by Reinhard Meis) I have learned the following:
- The hallmark on the movement (IWC with the „I“ going through the other letters) was used between 1885 and 1890. But I think, others were also used in parallel.
- In 1885 the movements Nr. 1337 to 5701 were made.
This would indeed indicate, that this Pallweber ll is from 1885.
I don’t know, how many of these were made. But it definitely is a very early Pallweber and a great find!
Philipp
Thank you sir
very grateful for this
s