Ralph and Andrew Thomas were the first two I met at a lunchtime gtg in London,
sharing the passion for IWC and watches in general. He was a fountain of
knowledge and always helpful. Sadly because of Covid and health I have not
seen him for far too long. I will miss him greatly, I will miss our chats his
knowledge and our exchange of views on numerous subjects. I ask for the
umpteenth time in my life, why are there such nasty diseases in this world?

My sincere condolences to Maureen and their sons, James and Laurence

At the ripe old age of 96 and having never retired. The actor, broadcaster and
genuinely nice guy Nicholas Parsons has died. It was he who presented as a
passionate clock and watch collector the BBC broadcast of "The Incredible
Story of Marie Antoinette's Watch" which can be found on YouTube.

It comes with a 2 year guarantee. Live with it for 23 months and then get it
serviced for free and it will be corrected. However a photo would help to see
the current issue.

Don’t bother with that replacement crystal. Before giving more advice where abouts are you located?

Salivating over the original Portuguese and the Portofino fried egg. Dream watches on my wish list!

Were they only ever produced with tritium dials?

Looking good as your latest addition. 

The watch that tugs at your heart stings is the one to buy. Fitting a deployant buckle and suitable strap can be done at a dealers but will be an added extra. Possibly £350 for the buckle and a strap for the buckle (they aren’t interchangeable) maybe £150. I doubt you will be able to buy it already fitted at no charge.

And Santoni straps are highly sought after and cost a great deal and are available in dark and mid brown.

Maybe it is his own watch?

It was great to meet you and Dorothy in London and congratulations on your anniversary.

And you wear your office shoes in the shower as well! Yep great idea! You are wearing a pilot watch in the shower with a variable temperature range and not only has it a crown but 3 push buttons as well. If the seal goes on any of them you have water aided by shampoo straight into the movement. And now you want to wear it in the shower with a leather strap costing £200 approx that will degrade each and every time you have a shower.

Probably hands and dial are changed as probably cheaper and quicker than sending for new Lume application. Tritium lume lasts about 10 years where as its replacement lasts considerably longer. Tritium dials will have a T or two near Swiss Made.

You need to get this watch back an authorised dealer for forwarding to Schaffhausen where a restoration can be done. Your thoughts re hands and dial remaining original is one I agree with. Polishing the case though comes with two issues. It's age determines that this would not be pristine condition so how far do you want this polished? lightly or to make as new? Laser welding can fill in the dings and chips and can make the case as new.
Your grandfather worked at Sig, for your info there is an old building outside of Schaffhausen that used to be part of the manufacturing plant of Sig Hammerli complete with heavy security doors, that building is now used for the manufacturing of parts by IWC, specifically case production and polishing. Sometimes it's a very small world!

Be aware that a restoration may take 4+ months and will not be cheap but the masters of Schaffhausen can do wonders and yes I would do it if in your shoes. I did the same for my fathers watch (not IWC) and even managed to find a movement on eBay to help in the restoration for donor parts that were required. Dad's watch is a keeper as far as I am concerned.

Think about what you want done, write it down and put the letter with the watch when you take it in to the Chicago dealership. Please don't get the testament removed although that's not for consideration I suspect. I think it's safe to assume that you would never sell it.

I got a strap from the London boutique with zero issue. My old dealer got a strap for an old watch again without any issue. There is a list on the web of straps and options re colour and buckle types. Here it is but a new list shouldn't be on the web and it doesn't give what watches belong with which straps.
lbw.at/al/IWC_straps_2009.pdf

I have a SLR Nikon F90X where the rubber has gone sticky after 12 years. You wouldn't want a watch costing approx three times the cost of the camera when new if it's going to become sticky after a few years. No doubt the composition of the rubber is different but would I want a watch coated in it or similar?

Seeing this post reminded me of a real Laureus fan along with Andrew.
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