1938 IWC Caliber 83, Restored. Stainless Steel,

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$4,493.00

• Details
  It is with a heavy heart that I share that my shop will be closing on November 30th. Over the years, it has been an honor to connect with so many collectors and enthusiasts — each piece finding its rightful caretaker and continuing its story through your hands.
  
  The time to acquire a treasured item grows shorter every day, and I hope those who have followed my work will find something meaningful before I close this chapter.
  
  Although the shop will close, my Etsy account will remain active. I will continue to be available for follow-up questions, service, and repairs for any previous purchases.
  
  Please take a moment to read my customer reviews. I have always believed in building relationships, not just sales, and I’ve been truly blessed with incredible customers who have believed in and supported me for over a decade.
  
  Thank you for being part of this remarkable journey. Your trust, curiosity, and appreciation for history have meant more than words can express.
  
  — Brian
  
  
  
  
  IWC Caliber 83 – The Gentleman’s Precision, Restored for the Next Century
  
  Every vintage watch tells time — but the IWC Caliber 83 tells history.
  
  Born in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, during the 1930s, this movement marks one of the earliest triumphs in IWC’s journey toward technical mastery. At a time when the world stood between two wars and precision was measured in human hands, the Caliber 83 became the watchmaker’s quiet declaration: perfection is not an accident — it’s a discipline.
  
  Before “in-house” became a marketing term, IWC was already crafting the Caliber 83 from start to finish within its own walls. It was built during an era when engineers, not executives, made the final decisions. The result was a 16-jewel manual movement of extraordinary precision — one that would go on to serve in both civilian dress watches and military-issued timepieces, including early pilot’s watches that helped define IWC’s legacy.
  
  Collectors prize the Caliber 83 because it represents the purest expression of IWC’s philosophy: form follows function, but beauty endures. It’s a movement that bridges two eras — the grace of early wristwatches and the rugged practicality demanded by a changing world.
  
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  Why This 1938 IWC Caliber 83 Has an Unsigned Case
  
  Collectors of early International Watch Company (IWC) timepieces will recognize that unsigned cases were entirely period-correct during the 1930s and early 1940s. The factory in Schaffhausen produced the remarkable Caliber 83—a precision hand-wound movement celebrated for its durability, fine finishing, and exceptional timekeeping—but often sold these movements uncased to regional jewelers and distributors.
  
  In the pre-war years, many export markets had import tariffs and hallmarking restrictions that made it impractical to ship complete watches. As a result, authorized agents and jewelers frequently ordered IWC movements only and had them cased locally by high-grade Swiss, British, or Scandinavian case makers. These cases were frequently unbranded but of excellent quality, often in stainless steel or precious metal.
  
  This practice means that an unsigned case from the 1930s is not unusual, nor does it detract from authenticity. The Caliber 83 inside remains a true IWC product—engineered, assembled, and adjusted in Schaffhausen, Switzerland. Collectors often value these examples for their historical integrity, representing an authentic glimpse into how fine Swiss watchmaking operated before global standardization of brand-marked cases.
  
  In short, while the exterior bears no IWC signature, the heart of this watch beats with unmistakable IWC heritage and craftsmanship from the golden era of Swiss watchmaking.
  
  About This Watch
  
  This particular example has been meticulously and completely restored — not merely serviced. The movement was disassembled to its smallest component, cleaned, reassembled, lubricated, and precisely regulated. It winds with the smooth resistance only a properly adjusted IWC should have.
  
  The dial, restored in a period-correct silver tone, reflects the understated minimalism of pre-war Swiss design — clean, elegant, and legible from every angle. The stainless steel case, measuring 35mm excluding the crown, retains its crisp edges and quiet authority. Every mark tells a story, every reflection carries nearly a century of heritage.
  
  A custom handmade alligator strap complements the watch, fitted with a genuine IWC stainless steel buckle. Subtle, refined, and true to the spirit of the era.
  
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  Technical Details
  
  • Brand: IWC (International Watch Company)
  
  • Movement: IWC Caliber 83 (in-house, manual wind)
  
  • Jewels: 16
  
  • Frequency: 18,000 A/h
  
  • Case Size: 35 mm (excluding crown)
  
  • Case Material: Stainless steel
  
  • Dial: Restored silver, period-correct style
  
  • Crystal: Acrylic
  
  • Strap: Custom handmade alligator with genuine IWC buckle
  
  • Condition: Fully restored, excellent working order
  
  • Serviced: Yes – complete overhaul and regulation
  
  • Signed: IWC crown
  
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  Why the Caliber 83 Matters
  
  The Caliber 83 isn’t just another vintage movement — it’s the DNA from which IWC’s later icons evolved. It laid the foundation for the brand’s Mark IX and Mark X military watches, both renowned for their reliability in the most demanding environments. The accuracy and durability of the Caliber 83 established IWC’s reputation as a true engineer’s watchmaker, long before aviation and diving models made the brand famous.
  
  
  In an age before computer machining, each wheel, spring, and plate was finished by hand — adjusted under lamplight by craftsmen who knew that their work might one day travel the world, ticking faithfully on the wrist of a soldier, a scholar, or a statesman.
  
  
  Owning one today is not simply collecting — it’s curating a chapter of horological history, one that shaped the way we understand precision itself.
  
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  In Closing
  
  This restored IWC Caliber 83 is more than a vintage watch. It is a time capsule — a century-old expression of what human craftsmanship can achieve when precision, patience, and purpose come together.
  
  Restored with integrity. Running with confidence.
  
  Ready to write the next chapter — on your wrist.
• Shipping & Policies

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  Just contact me within: 14 days of delivery

  Ship items back to me within: 30 days of delivery

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