Vintage 1958 IWC

[sputim]

Since my grandfather knows about my interest in watches he showed me his most favorite dress watch. It s an IWC he bought back in 1958 at IWC factory in Schaffhausen itself. It used to have a leather band but he had it changed to a gen gold mesh strap many many years ago. I only know it s handwound and that it works since ever he has it. Crystal is plexi but not one single scratch since he only wears it for a night out. Maybe someone of you guys know more about the model or the movement specs. Would be interesting!

Enjoy the pic

[Nanuq]

That's a beauty. I know nothing about IWC, but that's how I got into watches too. My grandfather had an ancient rectangular piece with a high plexi crystal and that got me hooked.

Very nice!

[FxrAndy]

If you join the IWC collectors forum you can find out about, just don't come out and ask the value right off but they have some pretty good guys on there that are not so hung up as on vintage Rolex forums

[Tonyyammine]

Man thats a nice one. Does the buckle have any iwc writing on it. Real nice.

[ubiquitous]

Gorgeous! Love the Milanese band and the gorgeous dial... Very elegant.

 

I'm guessing this has a Caliber 89 inside?

[tictoc21]

That is a beautiful piece.  I collect vintage IWC's and have one almost the same in red gold.  I believe your watch is a reference 521 but I could be wrong, mine has the ribbon lugs but not the domed bezel; regardless it does have a caliber 89 movement, which is excellent.  I would agree with the suggestion of going to IWC's website and joining the forum, they have a vintage section where you can post your photo and get comments.

Edited September 17, 2013 by tictoc21

[sputim]

Man thats a nice one. Does the buckle have any iwc writing on it. Real nice.

Yes it has but not comparable to newer models. Unfortunately i didn't take a picture of that.

That is a beautiful piece. I collect vintage IWC's and have one almost the same in red gold. I believe your watch is a reference 521 but I could be wrong, mine has the ribbon lugs but not the domed bezel; regardless it does have a caliber 89 movement, which is excellent. I would agree with the suggestion of going to IWC's website and joining the forum, they have a vintage section where you can post your photo and get comments.

I was told that the lugs look like that cause the watch originally came on a leather strap. It was my grandfather who changed to the milanese mesh. That's why your lugs are different most probably. Thanks for the info about the calibre I definitely read about it. Moreover thanks for your tips about the IWC forum. Honestly I don't care about its worth I rather wanna share this beauty and get to know more about it. Thank you guys for your comments and helpful inputs!

[madmex]

Beautiful watch, dial, hands, bracelet... Really cool how the bracelet is form-fitting!

[wiesn089]

Cool, I'm researching Cal 89 IWCs at the moment. I love the dial with IWC's company name written out completely. I'm in the market for a SS version with silver dial. 

Looking at the lugs, this seems to be a pretty early example. Maybe it has been manfactured way earlier than your grandfather bought it, I'm assuming later 40s, early 50s.  

 

Edit: I was wrong, here's a vintage catalogue page from 1957. It seems to be a Ref 521 with luminous hands. Gorgeous piece!

 

http://www.iwcforum.com/Catalogs/1957/0000002.jpg

[gran]

That IWC dial is a classic. Great watch!