IWC Watches Serial Number Guide and Date
Most premium watch manufacturers engrave their watches with serial numbers. IWC watches are no different. The serial number of a watch has several purposes. The primary purpose is to give the manufacturer full control over each and every single watch that leaves the factory and to be able to identify each and every single watch.
This is both helpful when you want to see when a watch was made, and get more information about it. But it also helps with tracking stolen or lost watches, as each serial number is unique.
Most commonly, the watch manufacturer has records of its serial numbers that are not officially open to the public. Some brands share ”extract from the archives” if you provide them with your watch’s serial number, and then give you detailed information about your watch. Other manufacturers do not disclose any information at all, which means the information that is available is crowdsourced.
So what is the case with IWC watches and their serial numbers?
You can actually look at IWC watches serial numbers and compare them with a serial number list in order to date their approximate production year. Many watch brands offer an extract from the archives, but IWC does not. The company does, however, offer a Certificate of Authenticity. In order to acquire a certificate of authenticity, your watch must be examined by the watchmakers at the headquarters of IWC Schaffhausen. You will get a certificate, and on this certificate, it will be stated: the type, case, and movement, and in some cases also information about the watch’s features.
Where is the serial number on your IWC watch?
The serial number can be found either on the case, the case back, or the movement.
Either the serial number may be engraved on the outside of the case back, or on the inside of the case back. The latter means you will need to open your watch in order to access the number.
How to date IWC watches with serial number
- 1875: 7,000
- 1877: 25,000
- 1879: 50,000
- 1880 – 1886: 0 – 10’000
- 1886 – 1890: 10,001 – 50,000
- 1890 – 1899: 100,000 – 200,000
- 1899 – 1903: 200,001 – 300,000
- 1903 – 1907: 300,001 – 400,000
- 1907 – 1913: 400,001 – 600,000
- 1910 – 1915: 463,601 – 620,800
- 1914 – 1924: 600,001 – 800,000
- 1924 – 1929: 800,001 – 900,000
- 1929: 919,500
- 1930: 929,000
- 1931: 937,500
- 1932: 938,000
- 1933: 939,000
- 1934: 940,000
- 1935 – 1940: 940,001 – 1,013200
- 1941: 1,039000
- 1942: 1,062000
- 1943: 1,078000
- 1944: 1,092000
- 1945: 1,106000
- 1945 – 1950: 1,092,401 – 1,200400
- 1950 – 1955: 1,200401 – 1,335400
- 1956: 1,399000
- 1957: 1436000
- 1958: 1460000
- 1959: 1513000
- 1960 – 1965: 1,513001 – 1778800
- 1965: 1796000
- 1966: 1820000
- 1967: 1889000
- 1968: 1,905000
- 1969: 1970000
- 1970 – 1975: 1970201 – 2275000
Note that this IWC watches serial number list is for informational purposes only. The dates are approximate but will help you get an estimate of when your vintage IWC watch was made. Note that this list can only be used on vintage IWC watches, as seen on the dates. Whilst we strive to keep this list accurate, typos or mistakes may exist.
Dear Sirs,
I bought an vintage IWC wrist watch, the steel cased, w/ the manual winding mechanism.
There is a serial no.? on the inner surface of it’s lid: 1418003.
The watch is working precisely.
Would You be so kind to tell me something more about this model and it’s rough price?
Your kind reply will be highly appreciated!
Sincerely Yours,
Dušan Popović, MScME
I remain
Hello Dušan,
Our watch experts have the required expertise to give you detailed information about your IWC timepiece. You can consult them here:
https://millenarywatches.com/watches/watch-consulting/
Kind regards,
Millenary Watches
Dear Sirs,
I have a hunter pocket watch, silver case, with marks on the inside of the lids, one is I.W.C 0.800, and closer to the hinge the numbers 88*41 and a number 8 below.
Guess manufacture date around end os 19th century or early 20th, would like to know some detail about the timepiece, which is working normally.
Many thanks in advance, kind regards.
Carlos Abruzzi
Hello,
For specific details and questions related to your watch, you can consult here:
https://millenarywatches.com/watches/watch-consulting/
Kind regards,
Millenary Watches
I am having great trouble finding out the age of manufacture of my der Fliegerchronograph
Serial number 2964277.
Why does the above dating system only go up to 1975??
Mine must be 1990’s. I need to know!
Hi,
IWC changed its serial number system, like so many other manufacturers, to a random serial number system which means it is no longer possible to date the production using the serial number.
Kind regards,
Millenary Watches
I have a 1908 Hamilton Grade 940 Model 1 movement in a IWC Co Tornado case. The number on the inside lid is 0136867. Would you not count the 0 and just read as 136867?
The numbers i can find on the back of the iwc watch i was gifted are 088/1000 & 234567. What does this mean please?
It says on the back that its yacht club and also laureus sport for good foundation.
Hi,
Yacht Club Laureus Sport for Good foundation is a model that IWC makes in collaboration with Sport for Good foundation.
088/1000 indicates that it is a limited edition model of 1000 pieces. 234567 would be the serial number.
Kind regards,
Millenary Watches
I have a IWC Probus Scafusia serial 43658. Is this a real serial #?
Hi,
It’s impossible to authenticate a watch solely by the serial number. We always advise having watches checked by professional watchmakers to say for certain.
Kind regards,
Millenary Watches
Hello
I am looking for a Da Vinci 3750 from 1985. Any idea what the serial number range would be? Thank you.
Hi,
It’s hard to say as the serial numnber doesn’t always match the expected production years (as watches are not always assembled at the exact same time as the case is produced and it may be an “old stock” prior to being sold. But you can expect the serial number to be somewhere around 1985 according to this list.
Kind regards,
Millenary Watches
I have ann iwc shaffhausen pocket watch. I know its from before 1948. It is gold. Serial number 1153756. What info and approx value can you give me.
Hi,
It’s difficult to say without any more details. If it’s just a plain pocket watch, the value is often the gold content. If it’s a more special model, it may have a higher value. For an exact appraisal, you can refer to this page: https://millenarywatches.com/watches/watch-consulting/
Kind regards,
Millenary Wathches
Hello, I have a gold body watch of Callima brand, which has only ،1959 G، written on the back, and ،1802/03، written on the inside, please advise what these numbers mean…thanks
Hello,I found a IWC schaffhausen with serial number 2678159 ,but it is not working anymore ,what shall I do .
Hi,
If the watch is not working, it is best to take it to a watchmaker as it likely needs a service.
Kind regards,
Millenary Watches
Yes! Finally someone writes about iwc watch.