Hi,

i would consult the operating instructions. The actual phase of the moon can easily be found online.

br

Cromagnonman

Hi Ellebal,

there is a Cal. 52 H5 and H6. The H stands for hight, H5 is 5.3mm and H6 is 6mm in height. That has of course an impact on the lenght of the balance staff. Just measure the height of the movement and you will find the tight part. Most probably you can also identify the Cal. 52 type from the movement number.

wish you good luck in finding the right part.

- Cromagnonman

Hi YC1811,

the Ref. Nr is most probably 1914.

br Cromagnonman

Hi all,

here th epage from the Dealers Handbook 1980. (thanks to Greg Steer)

br Cromagnonman

Hi YC1811,

this is a special case indeed. Most probably a monocoque design, where the movement is only acessible from the front.

Nice Watch.

I checked the Dealers Handbook for 1980. No such case is depicted there.

br Cromagnonman

Thanks Tonny,

 I don't envy you your “janitor” job

- Cromagnonman

JHONMU seems to be a BOT

Hello Stefan,
that is a very nice watch. I have never seen the black lacquer dial with the white print before. I own the same watch with a white lacquer dial and black roman numerals. Reference 818A is a classic and elegant watch. The movement of the Klaiber 8541 is legendary for its sophisticated construction and for the special automatic winding mechanism devised by Albert Pellaton. When it comes to Swiss wristwatch movements with automatic winding, there are hardly any better movements than the one in your watch. 

Here some data:

Movement produce 1969

Case produced 1969 most probably sold in 1972

Cal. 8541 date.

Total Prod.: 158400 pcs

Diameter: 28.00mm

Height: 4.85mm

Freq.: 19800 A/H 2.75 Hz

21 Rubies

Breguet overcoil hairspring

Eccentric adjusting screws on the balance

Date quick set mechanism

Greetings
Cromagnonman

Hi DANWALES,

yur observation about the accuracy of your watch, which is more than 50 years old, is very relevant. The calibers in the IWC automatic family are of exceptionally high quality. The quality is given by the construction which makes it possible to regulate such a movement accurately even after several decades.

The picture below shows an Ingenieur Ref. 666 with the same dial design as yours (same indexes used). Special to that watch is that it is equipped with Baton sytel hands. Most of the Ref 666 come with dauphine hands.

br

 Cromagnonman

Dear DANWALES,

It's important that you don't feel bashed by us. You are very welcome in our forum. 

You'll find a group of IWC enthusiasts here, some say we're watch idiot savants. For some of us, myself included, details and nuances of watches and movements are the main focus. For others it's more about the overall look of a watch. Please don't take our comments personally.
Your watch is a beauty. The watch case, which is oversized for the time of production, is in very good condition. The dial with the great daupine hands is in keeping with the classic design language. The watch is equipped with an exceptional IWC automatic movement.  The patina on the dial is even, not disturbing and indicates the originality of the dial. The combination of dial, index design and hands was also used in the well-known Ingenieuer Ref. 666 models.

br

Cromagnonman

Hi Danwales,

i don't want to be rude, but for me the question arises why this beautiful IWC three-hand watch is called “Calatrava”? The name Calatrava is the name of an elegant watch family from Patek Philippe that was launched in the 1930s. Why is this name used for an IWC automatic?

br Cromagnonman

Terry, these old watch boxes really take up a lot of space. If you have too many of them lying around, I can certainly help. 

;-) Cromagnonman

Hi Terry,

whow, what a gorgeous Cal 88 watch. I love the dial with the square indexes on 1, 2, 4, 5,...

looking for one like this since long time.

br Cromagnonman

Obscurity No. 3

The IWC Yacht Club that fell into the laser cutter.

This is a cutaway model of the IWC Yacht Club. I acquired it from the former estate of IWC Technical Director Jürgen King. 

br Cromagnonman

Whow Giuliano,

the condition if flawless. (like the other stuff that i have seen from you).

thanks for sharing

Cromagnonman

Obscurity No. 2

The watchmaker's watch
This watch was completed as a journeyman's piece by an apprentice watchmaker. It is a Ref. 2606 which is equipped with a sapphire crystal case back. It is equipped with a Calibre 89 movement of the latest evolutionary stage. When I bought the watch, I met the former apprentice and realised that he lived in the school dormitory just one floor above me.

br

 Cromagnonman

Great thread Nelson.

Here, one more obscure thing: The movement that shouldn't exist.

It is the calibre 1001, which was to be launched to celebrate IWC's 100th anniversary. Somehow, the calibre never made it into series production. Only a few prototypes were produced, all of which were scrapped. 
Were they really all scrapped? Who else has one?

br

Cromagnonman
 

Hi Pafeso,

The case does not seem original to me. The back cover should have a serial number and a probus Scafusia stamp. The combination 14 carat rose gold is also unknown to me from IWC. I fear that the case and movement do not belong together and were put together at a later date.

br Cromagnonman