Up for sale is authentic piece of horological history: a mid-1930s (circa 1936-1937) men's wristwatch from the world-renowned manufacture IWC Schaffhausen (International Watch Co.). This watch features the legendary Calibre 83, a movement that defined an era and later became the heart of the iconic WWII military "Dirty Dozen" watches.
Movement:
Calibre: Genuine IWC Cal. 83, manual wind.
Serial Number: 951,525 (Dating it precisely to the 1935–1940 production window).
Condition: The movement is clean, showing beautiful Côtes de Genève (Geneva Stripes) finishing and a Breguet overcoil hairspring. It represents the pinnacle of 1930s Swiss engineering.
Dial & Hands:
Design: Original Art Deco / Calatrava style dial with a beautiful aged patina.
Markings: Signed "International Watch Co. Schaffhausen" in classic serif typography.
Features: Sub-second dial at 6 o'clock and stunning heat-blued steel hands that catch the light beautifully.
Case & Caseback:
Case size 29.5mm withou crown
Construction: Two-tone construction typical for the era. The bezel is steel
Lugs: Elegant, slim curved lugs with fixed bars
Caseback: Snap-on back, internally marked "Rostfreier Stahl" (Stainless Steel) and numbered 977,437. The German marking indicates this watch was originally destined for the German or Swiss-German market.
Condition Report:
This is an unpolished, "honest" vintage watch. The case shows significant wear. The dial has a natural uniform patina consistent with its 85+ years of age. The movement appears well-preserved.
Specifications:
Brand: IWC Schaffhausen
Era: Mid-1930s
Case Material: Chrome-plated brass with Stainless Steel back
Movement: Manual Wind Cal. 83
It is a must-have for any serious IWC collector or lover of pre-war Swiss horology.
Condition & Media: Sold exactly as shown. Review all pictures carefully; they form an integral part of the description and represent cosmetic condition.
⚠️ CRITICAL MOVEMENTS GUIDE & BUYER AGREEMENT:
⚙️ MANUAL WINDING: NO BATTERY. Powered by mainspring. Wind crown clockwise (15-20 turns) until you feel natural resistance. Do not force it. Rewind every 24-36h.
🔄 AUTOMATIC WATCHES: NO BATTERY. Powered by wrist movement. Arrives stopped due to transit. Shake gently for 30-60 seconds to start, then wear regularly.
🔋 QUARTZ WATCHES: Powered by battery. Fresh battery installed before shipping.
⏱️ VINTAGE ACCURACY & SERVICE: This is a 30-90 year old historic collectible, NOT modern quartz. Daily variance up to +/- 3 to 5 minutes is standard and expected. All timepieces are professionally inspected, tested, and serviced when necessary before listing. However, due to their antique nature, future routine maintenance or fine calibration over time remains the buyer's responsibility. Vintage watches have ZERO water resistance; keep away from moisture.
🚫 FRAUD PROTECTION: False returns (e.g. "defective" due to normal vintage variance or lack of battery) will be immediately reported to eBay as policy abuse.
💼 Selling Policy: All sales final. Ask questions BEFORE bidding/offering. If an item arrives damaged, contact us immediately to arrange a return.
✈️ Shipping & Customs Terms:
• Origin: Shipped from Ukraine via registered AirMail with tracking. Despite the war, our postal system works reliably and securely.
• Delivery: Due to wartime logistics and customs, shipping may take longer. We deeply appreciate your patience and support.
• Duties: Import taxes and fees are the sole responsibility of the buyer.
✉️ Customer Care: We strive for a 5-star experience. If any issues arise, contact us directly via eBay messages before leaving feedback. We resolve all concerns professionally.