• Graduate
    28 Jun 2008, 2:50 a.m.

    Acquired this c.83 last week but now I've got the back off, the markings on the case are causing me some concern.

    I'd appreciate any views or observations.

    i69.photobucket.com/albums/i74/gateway3k/IMG_0901.jpg

    i69.photobucket.com/albums/i74/gateway3k/IMG_0908.jpg

  • Connoisseur
    27 Jun 2008, 3:15 p.m.

    My 2ยข...

    Hi Graeme,

    Yes, unfortunately the case would not be original to the watch. Although not all vintage cases are marked as IWC, these markings are not typical. So it's an authentic movement (circa 1945), with a re-painted dial, in a non-original case.

    All the best,
    Michael

  • Master
    30 Jun 2008, 1:40 a.m.

    Re: Calibre C83

    The Cal. 83 was designed in the late 30s by Roger Puthod, IWC's great watchmaker of that era, who retired in 1944 to teach at the watch making school in Geneva.

    Yours, with the balance shock unit, is perhaps from the later series in production since most of these movements I've seen coming in for service do not have the incabloc shock system.

    The cal. 83 is now considered an obsolete calibre by the IWC factory in Switzerland. As such, they do not supply parts even to their authorized service centers and instead recommend that the watch be sent to them overseas where they can restore and rebuild the watch should it have worn plates, bridges and other damaged parts.

    However, your watch case as pointed out by "mkolesa" is not an authentic IWC and, therefore, I don't know if IWC would service this timepiece if needed.

    Hope this is taken as precautionary good advice.

    Regards,
    Jack Freedman