IWC's Recent Pocket Watches

A survey of International Watch Company's Reference 5000-series pocket watches

By Michael Friedberg

July 2002

International Watch Company has always been recognized for its fine pocket watches. The casework and movements of IWC's pocket watches were seldom equaled. Yet, over 70 years ago, this craft was waning. By 1930, production of the wristwatch exceeded that of  the pocket watch. Shortly thereafter, the effects of the Great Depression quashed  production across the  entire Swiss watch industry. The combined effects of an evolving taste for wristwatches and the economic environment tolled a near-death knell for the pocket watch.

During this era, fewer companies continued to produce any pocket watch models. However, even as production dramatically decreased, the pocket watch remained a specialty of IWC. In 1932 and 1933, IWC only produced a total of 1,800 movements --but all were pocket watch calibres.  In the ensuing years, IWC's great pocket watch movements –especially Calibres 95, 97 and 98-- maintained the tradition. These models can be considered as prime examples of classical Swiss watchmaking from the 1930s and '40s.

While demand for the wristwatch completely overtook the pocket watch, IWC never forgot its roots. In fact, as the company was on the verge of extinction in the 1970s due to the the quartz revolution, it even looked to the pocket watch as a way to save itself. Back then, IWC’s Board considered becoming a specialty manufacturer of pocket watches.

In the 1970s and 1980s, IWC produced a large variety of pocket watch models although total production was extremely limited.  At least 60 different models were offered at various times during those decades. Even today, a limited number of pocket watches made by IWC are  still available. The 2002-03 IWC Workbook  for dealers lists six current pocket watch models, Refs. 5201, 5212, 5408, 5414, 5503 and 5510.

The numbering system for these models began in approximately 1973, when IWC changed to four digit reference numbers for its models. Pocket watches were all in the 5xxx series, with the first two digits reflecting the movement used. Although there were a few exceptions,  the classification scheme was:

The full-bridge design of these movements is particularly elegant, although considerable  finishing is required. In a full-bridge movement, each wheel has its own bridge which, aside from aesthetic values, allows replacement to be done separately. These movements have six bridges, if one counts the balance bridge (technically, the movement has two bridges and four cocks, since the transmission wheel, fourth, escape, and balance all use cocks instead of bridges --that is, the plates are attached at only one end). 

As IWC's pocket watches subsequently evolved, the primary enhancements to the base movements of these three calibres were the addition of shock resistance, some finishing differences and, in some instances, the addition of complications. The calibre reference numbers evolved from two to three and then four digits. For example, Calibre 95  became Calibre 952  when Incabloc shock protection was added; when the movement was gold-plated, it became Calibre 9520.

The original Calibre 95, introduced in 1927, was an ultra-thin pocket watch movement that, as such, sold at a premium. The movement  was 16 3/4 lignes (37.8 mm) in diameter but only 3.2 mm high. It was a  Lépine-design which has the winding stem on top,  at 12 o'clock and  across from the sub-seconds indication at 6 o'clock. The Calibre 95 had 17 jewels and a bi-metallic screwed balance.

In 1967, the Calibre 95 evolved to the Calibre 952. It was slightly taller (at 3.35 mm high), had 19 jewels and, as mentioned above, Incabloc shock protection. Subsequent variants of this movement were Calibres 9520, 9521, 9527, 9528 and, as used in a repeater wristwatch, 95290. 

IWC introduced another thin, but not ultra-thin, full-bridge Lépine-movement in 1930, the Calibre 97. Slightly thicker than the Calibre 95 at 4.3 mm, it  had either 15 or 16 jewels. It then evolved to the 19 jewel Calibre 972, which had a height of 4.43 mm and Incabloc shock resistance. Subsequent variations were the Calibres 9720, 9721, 9722, 9723, 9725 and 9727.

A Savonette version of the Calibre 97, the Calibre 98, was introduced in 1936. As a hunter (or Savonette) movement design, it had its stem at 3 o'clock,  at 90 degrees from the sub-seconds indication at 6 o'clock. .Its evolution paralleled that of its sister Calibre 97 movement and eventually the Calibre 98 was succeeded by  the Calibre 982 and  then the 9820. In those calibres, the movement was upgraded to 19 jewels from the original 15 or 16, shock resistance was added, a stop seconds mechanism was added, and the plates were finished differently.  Subsequently, the movement  also developed into Calibres 9821, 9824, 9826 and, as used in the Jubilee Portugieser wristwatch, Calibre 9828.

Somewhat more than 25 years ago, IWC produced its most "modern" pocket watches.  What follows is a chart of  reference numbers, plus images of some of the key models and  movements. If you click on an item in the second column of the chart, which lists reference numbers, in most instances you can see complete information from IWC's dealers' book. (Please note that, if a linked image from the dealers' book  is too small, saving it to your computer and then opening it with a graphics program should produce a full-sized image).  While the following information is not intended as comprehensive, additions or corrections are invited; please contact the author via e-mail.

                                                  Ref. No.                      Description                              Calibre 

                                 (click  for dealers' book page)                        (click for photograph)                 (click for image)