Look what I've found at the flea market !

November 1998

On Sunday, after our usual tennis session, Bryan and myself decided to visit the local flea market for a change (usually we would visit the watch dealers). We saw a couple of Omegas and quite a number of Seiko chronographs. Just when we thought there was nothing interesting, I spotted two IWCs one vendor was selling. I was quite skeptical and asked for the case to be opened. What we found we were pleasantly surprised: an old IWC movement is beating within (Caliber 853), still in wonderful condition! I knew about the c.854 and the 854I but was not too sure about the 853. Bryan suggested asking the guys at timezone and I thought this is a great idea. Thanks to Michael, Bob, Jonathan and of course, Walt Odets (Link to article & More) I was able to find out more about the movement. What an interesting movement, I thought, called the vendor and bought the watch. Below is the scan of the watch, the movement and the case.

The watch is now with the Sincere watch service center to be polished, cleaned, oiled and regulated. Also bought a brown crocodile straps to go with it.

Boon J

On the 2nd of  December 98, my IWC is back from restoration !!

More facts about the caliber 853.....

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An excerpt from Michael Friedberg's IWC Forum..

The above is from an IWC's watchmakers' catalog, circa 1953.

The IWC winding system has been written about elsewhere and praised as among the absolute best for its efficiency and robustness. Originally introduced in 1950 as the Cal. 81 (1800 examples and extremely rare), it was superceded in that year by the Cal. 85 (8400 examples). The Cal. 85 evolved to the Cal. 852 in 1952 and had its first large scale production. The 852 was supplemented by the 8521 (calendar automatic), then the 853 and 8531 and finally the 854 and 8541. The awaited new in-house Cal. 5000 reportedly will have the special "eccentric cam" winding system first developed in the Cal. 85.

The above image is noteworthy for several reasons. It reflects that the rotor itself is treated for shock resistance via a spring mounting (see No. 20 --in fact, this oddly shaped and thick "spring" is a characteristic way to identify an IWC automatic). Also note how IWC describes the ease of disassembly for service. Walt Odets also pointed out to me that the balance is "one-half a gyromax" --there is a pair of opposing weights employed.

To my knowledge, the much-praised IWC winding system has not been copied much by others. Reportedly, Smiths of England used IWC's patents under license. Walt also told me that Parmigiani (through Chopard's new LUC automatics, which he designed) copied much of the winding system. Parmigiani apparently eliminated one pawl, and simplified to a 3 lobe-cab instead of the heart shaped one, with the result that the LUV winds faster.