IWC

M Segal
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EYE-DOUBLU-SEE

Thanks for the informative post on these interesting watches.

I personally have found IWC to be a difficult brand to understand. I recall my first exposure to the brand at the tender age of sixteen, in a magazine advertisement for the DaVinci perpetual calendar. All these wonderful complications in a single watch for the low price of $19,995! Little did I realize that this actually was a bargain compared to the three top dogs of Patek, Audemars and Vacheron (I had yet to hear of the first two, VC was deep into its ad campaign of "the oldest watch manufacturer"). I did not suffer from my current OCD affliction of watches so the thought of this watch only infrequently crossed my consciousness.

After completing my medical training I decided to get myself a new watch. I had always dreamed of getting a great watch. I decided to take the time to get the "best" watch from the "best" watch manufacturer. I had yet to be initiated into the world of watch collecting and relied on the advice of my local AD. Fortunately, they carried most of the great brands (Patek, Vacheron, Audemars, Rolex, IWC, JLC, Blancpain, FM, Breitling, Tag, Omega...). As you can see I really did not know how to differentiate one brand (or watch) from the other. My AD took the time to “educate me “and I ended up with a Patek Nautilus. This was just before the new millennium and the Patek craze had yet to take hold. Throughout this decision I kept on coming back to the DaVinci watch. My AD was really trying to steer me away. So I took his council.

A few years later I learned the "truth" about the DaVinci, how it really is just a modified Valjoux 7750 movement. When I learned this I was very upset. I had not understood how watch movements were manufactured by one company and distributed to many others only to be "modified" and placed in name brand cases. This seemed like heresy. Mercedes was not putting GMC engines in their cars. If IWC was not building their own movements were they even a watch company or just a name.

I was able to obtain a 1998/1999 IWC catalog in my quest for the ultimate watch. Perusing the book I noted DaVinci's of all shapes and colors (steel ones, yellow ones, pink ones, ladies models and even square ones), the new UTC, the Mark XII, the Ingenieur (a poor man’s Genta), the Portofino’s, pilots chronographs and even some lovely pocket watches. However, I still remember the feeling of turning to page 99 of that book...I stopped...my jaw dropped...my heart pounded. Unlike all the previous watches in the catalog there was no overdone bezel, no complicated face, a paucity of functions and a simple elegance which spoke to me like no other IWC . The 5251 starred back with unflinching eyes. This "flaw" is like Kate Mosses small chest, it is no flaw at all, it is perfection. The display back with the mesmerizing 9521 gilded movement with SIX bridges is a dream. As I open the catalog now the silver threaded book mark is still on page 99.

Soon, I was not just falling down the rabbit hole of watch collecting; I was running straight to the bottom at breakneck speed. IWC's were not even a consideration. They were an "insufficient" watch for my needs. Only Pateks, Vacherons, Langes and such would satisfy my "watch Jones". A watch needed heritage, a manufacture movement, great design and finishing. IWC's were not even a Rolex.

Fast forward many years. I am in post 9/11 New York City at a medical conference, Watch Mecca! Like a kid in Disney World I run up and down the streets of the diamond district gazing at all the wonderful sights in the windows: annual calendars, perpetuals, tourbillions, minute repeaters, oh my!  On the corner of 46th and sixth is a small little outlet in one of those bizzares you can only find in NYC. In the Window, amongst the gazillion dollar watches sat a quiet unassuming two eye beauty, encased in a clear plastic sarcophagus to keep her segregated from the surrounding elements. I pointed her out to my now exacerbated wife who silently rolled her eyes and dutifully followed me into the store.  There are four or five people behind the small space engaging in a conversation or argument in Russian. "Do you have anything interesting" I inquired. The short thin curly haired man stepped forward and asks me in a thick Slavic accent "vhat vould you be interested in?" 

"I see you have a 5251 in the window."

He pondered for a moment. “OHH, the Eye-DoubleU-SEE, yes, vould you like to see it?"

He handed it to me in its cocoon. "Can I actually see the watch?"  He was getting irritated. He unwrapped the watch reluctantly (as if the contact with New York air will exact a heavy toll on the value of this fine lady) and handed it to me. The watch was wonderful, elegant, thin and subdued. Better than the picture in the catalog. Complete with papers and some negotiations I got her off the street and into the safety of my watch harem.

I now took the time to do a bit more research on IWC, exploring the heritage and the crisis which required it to go with outsourced movements. I also note the slow but steady growth of the company since. I realize that if it were not for the efficient use of Valjoux movements there would certainly be no IWC today. What I thought was heresy was in fact a compromise to survive and fight another day. Looking at the new 98800 movements I think the battle was won.

At one time my collection had grown so much that I had to scale down. I divested myself of my Rolex watches. The least worn watch was my 5251. I hated to lose her but felt I needed to move on. Fortunately, I could not find a buyer or a dealer to accept her in trade. Now that she is a classic, I think her true value will be discovered. I have awoken from my ignorance. I now feel a new sense of joy in wearing her on my wrist. I have placed my order for a PLT Portifino, pricey yes, but worth every penny. I suspect my new lovely will keep my vintage one in good company. IWC has awoken from its foggy past and emerged as a true watch manufacture. Their future appears bright.

Mike S.