-- Help to identify a Vintage monobloc IWC watch --
Hello everybody,
I Bought a vintage monobloc IWC, and can't find nowhere on internet one like this.
I need your help to identify it.
It's a monobloc (only possible to take out the movement from the upside.
It's a 34mm watch.
The third picture is without the plexy.
Sorry for my bad English and Thanks for your help
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](www.hostingpics.net/viewer.php?id=341387IWC1.jpg)
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](www.hostingpics.net/viewer.php?id=254685IWC2.jpg)
Welcome to the Forum.
The case looks like a Ref 580A
Image from the vintage catalog project 1957 catalogue.
Cheers from the cellar
I would add that the dial appears repainted, and not by IWC.
I once had this ref 580 in yg with cal 852. I regret having sold it to another collector. 
Monobloc?
Why you think this is a monobloc watch, I think it is a 3 piece case:
- Back cover
- case center piece
- front glass ring with glass
Kind regards
Ralph
Hi Ralph. It is a two piece case. The movement is removed from the front.
Interesting, I have not seen too many IWC monocoque cases.
Clearly there are the Borgel cased PW's and many of the shaped c.87 and other Art-Deco Wrist watches are, but this watch looked to have a back cover. I even thought to have seen the slot to open the back.
Also production wise it seems to be three pieces, is thbacl solderd/clued to the body? (Ok I can't see the back of yours, but the I really thought the otherone has a back cover, I even expected some dirt in the gap of the cover ;-)
(I still wonder how this case could have been produced in steel and 18k, when the back is one piece, normally you can see how it was machined/produced in the inner side, mainly in steel)
Thanks for sharing
Ralph
Monocoque cases might not be very common, but there are other models. I have a ref 500 with cal 852 from 1952 which is in a monocoque case. To remove the movement the glass ring is prised off, the winding stem is pulled out and the movement can be lifted out through the front.
The main giveaway is that the winding stem has a snap connection, usually the winding stem is locked with a screw from the back of the movement but that is of course not possible in a two-piece case.
To the user the two-piece case has the advantage of fewer possible leaks, but the snap-locked stem is a distinct disadvantage. I have twice lost the winding crown (and the outer part of the winding stem). Luckily my local master watchmaker can get vintage replacement parts.
And by the way, very nice vintage watch. Properly maintained it will serve you faithfully for many years.
Regards,
Henrik
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