The IWC Who Lived in the Bottom of a Cigar Box for 80 Years

[dannymac55]

I posted on this watch a few months back when I came across it going through my grandfather's World War II items. It recently returned from a servicing to restore it back to working order.

To recap the story...

In the bottom of an old cigar box filled with mementos from the European Theater (mostly patches torn from Nazi uniforms, a Nazi arm band, and party lapel pin) were four watches with notes attached to them, indicating they had been taken from German prisoners of war. The first three were fairly underwhelming Art Deco style men's watches (the watch face on one read "Anker 15 Rubis", the other two had no marking on the watch faces). The fourth was underneath everything, with a strap so grimy it was stiff. Expecting this to be another nondescript watch like the other 3, I didn't really look too hard at it.

A few weeks later when I went through to document the watches for the purpose of making an inventory of the items in my grandfather's estate, I looked at the watch again and immediately saw "International Watch Co. SCHAFFHAUSEN" on the face. Ironically I had just been looking at their pilot's chronographs, so my interest was immediately peaked.

I consulted with a few of you here and others online and was told it was a rare combination of a salmon dial with curved indigo blue hands. I've not seen another example of this watch out there. Given this, I decided to have it serviced as it didn't run, and there was so much green rust the hands wouldn't want to move when I'd manually moved the hands.

It was sent to Total Watch Repair in Van Nuys, CA where a service was conducted, and the dial was cleaned. It now runs perfect, and the dial has been brought back to life. The strap, as I said, was very grimy so I cleaned it myself with some warm water and soap allowing me to get most of the dirt and grime off. At one point I encountered a stain I believed to be blood given the dark brown color and how oily it was once I got some warm water on it. After 80 years I suppose any stain made by an oily liquid might look like dried blood, however.

As pictured below, I put the watch on once it was returned to me after a few months. It didn't dawn on me at the time, but the last time the watch was likely wound and worn in a clean condition was over 80 years ago. Between then and now it's seen war, German defeat, Allied victory, and the bottom of a cigar box.

It's not my style, and though it's more the size of a women's watch today my wife isn't keen to wear a watch that, as she says, "was worn by a Nazi", so I'm likely to part with it. Below are a few photos of the restored version.

[DJ2020]

Great story, Very cool and interesting watch. Thanks for sharing!

[GrantD]

Superb, great watch and story to go with it.

[10XRolex]

Wow! Its a shame you didn't get those stories from your Grandfather before he passed. We overlook our elders and the life stories and knowledge they have. Wear it well.

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[WatchEater666]

The Geneva stripes look very very deep/rich. Surprised.

The overall aesthetic is timeless, very bauhaus.

[dannymac55]

Originally Posted by 10XRolex

Wow! Its a shame you didn't get those stories from your Grandfather before he passed. We overlook our elders and the life stories and knowledge they have. Wear it well.

Sent from my SM-G975U1 using Tapatalk

Absolutely...by the time you realize just how much you have to ask them, usually they're gone.

[dannymac55]

Originally Posted by WatchEater666

The Geneva stripes look very very deep/rich. Surprised.

The overall aesthetic is timeless, very bauhaus.

I think it could be the lighting. I popped the case-back off to better document the movement (the original picture was sent by the person doing the work) and in some photos it's very noticeable, and not noticeable in others.

[thewatchidiot]

What a great story and a very interesting watch. I hope you decide to keep it or maybe donate it to a museum. Many local ones have permanent military tributes and may like such a gift

[JPBlackBay]

Great story! Thanks for sharing. I love the font style on the 3, 9, 12 numerals on it. Almost like a sector dial but not. Pretty funky for an IWC

[shaunylw]

Fantastic watch!

[ashbaug2]

Great find, OP, and it's actually a beautiful watch, IMO. I would keep it, whether it was worn by a Nazi or not...

Originally Posted by 10XRolex

Wow! Its a shame you didn't get those stories from your Grandfather before he passed. We overlook our elders and the life stories and knowledge they have. Wear it well.

Sent from my SM-G975U1 using Tapatalk

If the OP's grandfather was anything like mine, they didn't talk much about their war experiences, especially with their grandkids. Mine wouldn't even say much about it after I got home from Iraq in 2008. I think I learned more from his war journal and award documents after he passed away.

[dannymac55]

Originally Posted by ashbaug2

Great find, OP, and it's actually a beautiful watch, IMO. I would keep it, whether it was worn by a Nazi or not...



If the OP's grandfather was anything like mine, they didn't talk much about their war experiences, especially with their grandkids. Mine wouldn't even say much about it after I got home from Iraq in 2008. I think I learned more from his war journal and award documents after he passed away.

Absolutely, learning so much more as he documented *everything*, but he rarely spoke about it. We’re learning more daily as we go through his items, notes, and journals. Interestingly, separated by over 70 years, we both served in the Second Infantry Division for combat tours (I was in Afghanistan 2009-10).

[dannymac55]

Originally Posted by JPBlackBay

Great story! Thanks for sharing. I love the font style on the 3, 9, 12 numerals on it. Almost like a sector dial but not. Pretty funky for an IWC

I believe it to be in the “bauhaus” style, so I imagine such number markings were considered very modern back then!

[winst]

Great looking watch!

[GST15]

Great Watch!! Thanks for the story

[Cobar65]

Well, the Nazi is dead and the watch is beautiful. No Nazi engravings I hope. Keep the watch, it’s gorgeous.


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[Cabaiguan]

The modern Nomos Tangente with it’s Bauhaus style is reminiscent of this watch. Great story.

[alllexandru]

Cool story and nice IWC!
Thank you for sharing with us!

[Justindo]

That's a great story and a very nice watch. I'm sure it could tell a lot of stories.

[wesdaniel]

That is a BEAUTIFUL watch and an incredible story! Thanks for sharing!

[F/22]

Great story. The watch design reminds of the Nomos Tangente.

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[Boopie]

Very interesting story.

As cool as the watch is, I totally sympathize with your wife’s position. I don’t think I’d be able to enjoy wearing it.

Thanks for sharing.