Sourcing crown

Hello!

I am here because I was gifted an IWC vintage 18k gold watch by a client of mine. He knew I was into watches and one day about a week ago as I was servicing his trees, (I'm an Arborist), he walks out and hands me this watch. 

He said, " I haven't worn this in a long time and I hate to see it sitting in the dark without someone enjoying it". I was rather surprised as this is a beautiful watch. 18 k gold case, beautiful sunburst, pleated guilloche dial with very unusual hour markers.

One thing, it's missing the crown and he doesn't know where it could be.

I love the watch and would like to aquire a period correct crown for this beauty.

I was referred to this forum by a couple of people as a possible resource.

Is this forum a good start?

I do have more info about the movement, tube size, stem tap and crown diameter needed if someone could help.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you for reading.

Dear Crid

Your watch appears to be a handwound Caliber 89. This calibre is quite often seen and therefore spares are quite easy to obtain. 

You have two options:

1) You bring the watch to an Authorized Dealer of IWC, who sends it to an local IWC service center. Nor the AD nor the service center will offer spares, but a service including adding the missing crown. Unfortunately this service it not only excellent, but as well expensive compared to a local watchmaker.

2) You look out for a local watchmaker, who is in vintage watches. As the Calibre 89 is quite often seen such a watchmaker has the crown as spares at hand or knows how to source it. In case the crown was lost a longer period ago, moisture and dirt made their way in the movement. Therefore a service is recommended, at least a check with scrutiny. As such a watchmaker is not in need to finance an overhead, he will be a lot cheaper. But as a beginner you run the risk to choose a watchmaker, who pretends to be good, but isn't. So ask collectors for recommandations in your area.

Hope this helps.

Th. Koenig