All 'famous' vintage watches should be personally checked by an expert - here is why!

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Magnus (Moderator)	Sunday 01 June 2008 4:37:49 pm All 'famous' vintage watches should be personally checked by an expert - here is why! Dear All: very recently I got hand on this article below, which reports on the purchase of a vintage IWC Mark IX, a true collector's item, just as vintage Blancpain 50 Fathoms are. http://www.ornatus-mundi.ch/images/Watches/IWC/IWC-Mat%20IX.pdf The purchaser had the watch authenticated at the headquarters of he company. However, only years later when he, alarmed by some reports of incidental wrong authentications, sent it in again requesting a new authentication done by an expert on this watch model - it turned out the case was a new one, perfectly executed to the original specifications so that it could event fool the original manufacturer of the watch! I have heard similar for other brands as well, e.g. Rolex. Therefore, I am inclined not to comment on the authenticity of your watch, but rather encourage you to agree on a money-back scheme with the seller in case the watch is not the real deal (as confirmed by blancpain). I hope this helps. Best, Magnus P.S.: Special thanks to Hans Goerter and Adrian van der Mejden from the IWC forum for this article!

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Magnus (Moderator)

Sunday 01 June 2008 4:37:49 pm

All 'famous' vintage watches should be personally checked by an expert - here is why!

Dear All:

very recently I got hand on this article below, which reports on the purchase of a vintage IWC Mark IX, a true collector's item, just as vintage Blancpain 50 Fathoms are.

http://www.ornatus-mundi.ch/images/Watches/IWC/IWC-Mat%20IX.pdf

The purchaser had the watch authenticated at the headquarters of he company. However, only years later when he, alarmed by some reports of incidental wrong authentications, sent it in again requesting a new authentication done by an expert on this watch model - it turned out the case was a new one, perfectly executed to the original specifications so that it could event fool the original manufacturer of the watch!

I have heard similar for other brands as well, e.g. Rolex.

Therefore, I am inclined not to comment on the authenticity of your watch, but rather encourage you to agree on a money-back scheme with the seller in case the watch is not the real deal (as confirmed by blancpain).

I hope this helps.

Best,
Magnus

P.S.: Special thanks to Hans Goerter and Adrian van der Mejden from the IWC forum for this article!