Plat. MK XII Service

Hello Fellow IWC Enthusiasts.

My 001/500 ref. 3241-007 has been in storage since 1999/2000 and needs service of the JLC movement. Otherwise it's in original condition. The underside of the Blue Croc. strap has picked up debris from the storage vinyl cushion in the original box. I hesitate sending it to IWC service center since I'm not so sure they will treat my essentially brand new timepiece with the utmost care it deserves. I've reached out to Jack Freedman but he's not able to assist.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated! I tried posting a wrist shot but this being my first post I couldn't figure out how to do :)

​

What a shame to have such a lovely Mark XII and not wear it!

imgur.com/a/ukhkbwD

Here's a poor image. hope it comes through.

Decided to send it to IWC service center in Texas in the shipping kit they provided.

Being a holiday weekend, it may not be too late... If it's not broken, don't fix it. It looks amazing - is it currently running to specs?

@BEN Thank you for your reply. I haven't even tried to hand wind the movement for fear of causing further damage if the works are already seized up. I'll try wearing it out on my walk today to see if it's enough to wind the movement and get it going. I'm also considering reaching out to my AD to see if they can assist in sending it directly to the factory in case a full service is needed. Cheers!

Spoke with the nice IWC Concierge person. Once the TX service center examines my watch and determines the age, they will send it to Schaffhausen for the necessary sevices. It's been packaged and ready to be picked up by FedEx today. Looking forward to a successful outcome.

If this works out as expected, I will send them my small blue portugueser in Platinum as well. Need to dig that one out of storage as well, LOL.

Quick update. The watch will be going back to Schaffhausen for the movement overhaul. The crown and tube have to be replaced. They offered to replace the dial and hands with SuperLuminova but I declined. I've asked them to preserve the original Tritium dial and hands. I've also asked them to install a matt blue Santoni calf leather strap to replace the shiny blue croco. Fairly excited to get it back in eight weeks.

Hi,

Best decision. A movement that has been in storage for such a long time definitely needs a service. All oils have dried up and if it had run without oils the movement could have been severly damaged. All mechanical movements need a service at least every five years. Schaffhausen always delivers the best service and it will not be cheap, but well worth it.

Lease post some more pictures whwn the watch is back from service.

Best regards

Henrik

When you get it back- will you wear it? Or back in the safe?

Will wear it as often as I can :)

Some new developments, Maria the concierge in Texas just called me again to inform me that the watch has been serviced and now they're waiting on the original dial and hands to be returned to them from Schaffhausen so that they can be installed back on the watch. Unfortunately, this voids any service warranty.

The Tritium was flaking off and the factory strongly advised against installing it back on the watch to avoid particles getting into the movement. A new dial and hands were fabricated and installed. The original dial and hands were returned to me as per my request.

Will be wearing this watch as often as I can. it's just so dainty at 36 mm :)

Looks beautiful, but I do personally prefer the original lume with the cream color it develops over time. I was also warned about degrading tritium, it is a choice you have to make. That is very nice that the original dial and hands were returned to you. Do you notice the "flaking" on the hands and dial returned to you? May want to be careful that you don't ingest any of it.

@ben thank you so much. I'll be careful. They were packed up nicely and then bubble wrapped. I haven't got into it yet. Will save everything "as is" for posterity.