This is a rarely seen model created by IWC from the late 1930s to the mid 1940s. It is of Calatrava style, with a beautifully formed Stainless-Steel case. The Hermet (so called for its hermetic water-resistant properties) has a tightly sealed case back with a single piece front section of the case. The reference 628 is known as the rail dial. It is a neat 31mm case with its beautiful rail track, with lumed Arabic numerals, in-set sub-second dial, syringe hands and clean classic signing. This is an excellent example, with the images speaking for themselves.
The case is 31mm x 31mm, which may put some people off. However, the watch is well proportioned, with the lug-to-lug measurement of 37mm meaning it wears larger than expected. The case depth is also good at 10.5mm aiding this larger feel. The crown brings the width to 33.5mm and catches the eye.
The case is made of Stainless Steel and is in good original condition. The bezel section is in good condition and has a polished finish, along with the lugs. The sides have a lightly brushed finish which remains with minimal scratching. The case is unpolished and original and is a very good example.
The case back is signed “Hermet”. It is in good condition for the age, with light surface scratching. The main face has a lightly grained finish which is in good condition having polished naturally with age. It is signed with the serial number 1,088,021. The inside is signed: Acier Inox, IWC.
This is a good original dial which is an aged silver tone, presenting as more champagne with age. The dial has aged more surrounding the hour markers due to the Radium lume, which has created a darker gradient around the dial, with the centre remaining a lighter tone. This natural patina looks good on the dial, without having caused damage to the finish. The large Arabic numerals are the hour markers, with original aged Radium lume in-fill. The dial has a black rail-road minute marker around the exterior, which is in good condition.
The sub-second dial is inset into the dial with a circular textured finish radiating from the centre. The signing is good and clear with 5 second markers and single second graduations.
The dial is signed International Watch Co Schaffhausen in the most appealing font below 12 O’clock and is in excellent condition. The dial is signed Anti-Magnet in bold font.
The hands are original and of Syringe style. They are thermally blued which has oxidised to create a purple tone on the hands which is very pleasing. They have the original Radium lume infill to the centre. This has aged to a beautiful pumpkin tone. The sub second hand is also original and is in excellent condition, with thermally blued finish.
The crown is the original Stainless-Steel crown, which is large to allow easy winding, with a coin edge finish. It is in very good condition.
The watch is on a period correct, original 1940s Light brown pig-skin strap, with an period correct original, nicely designed Stainless Steel Buckle. The strap is in good vintage condition and is supple and strong.
The movement is an IWC calibre 83. It has been recently serviced by ourselves. It is keeping time to +45 seconds a day, with an amplitude of 336 degrees and a beat error of 1.0m/s.
Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.
Dial:
This is a good original dial which is an aged silver tone, presenting as more champagne with age. The dial has aged more surrounding the hour markers due to the Radium lume, which has created a darker gradient around the dial, with the centre remaining a lighter tone. This natural patina looks good on the dial, without having caused damage to the finish. The large Arabic numerals are the hour markers, with original aged Radium lume in-fill. The dial has a black rail-road minute marker around the exterior, which is in good condition.
The sub-second dial is inset into the dial with a circular textured finish radiating from the centre. The signing is good and clear with 5 second markers and single second graduations.
The dial is signed International Watch Co Schaffhausen in the most appealing font below 12 O’clock and is in excellent condition. The dial is signed Anti-Magnet in bold font.
Hands:
The hands are original and of Syringe style. They are thermally blued which has oxidised to create a purple tone on the hands which is very pleasing. They have the original Radium lume infill to the centre. This has aged to a beautiful pumpkin tone. The sub second hand is also original and is in excellent condition, with thermally blued finish.
Glass:
The acrylic crystal is original and is in very good condition, having been polished.
Crown:
The crown is the original Stainless-Steel crown, which is large to allow easy winding, with a coin edge finish. It is in very good condition.
Case:
The case is made of Stainless Steel and is in good original condition. The case consists of two pieces, the main body of the case with single piece bezel and lugs coming from this main body, creating a very sturdy watch. The case back then snaps on. The bezel section is in good condition and has a polished finish, along with the lugs. The sides have a lightly brushed finish which remains with minimal scratching. The case is unpolished and original and is a very good example.
There is a slight groove on the side of the case where it has been opened over the years. This is a natural occurrence and doesn’t detract from the overall condition.
Caseback:
The case back is signed “Hermet”. It is in good condition for the age, with light surface scratching. The main face has a lightly grained finish which is in good condition having polished naturally with age. It is signed with the serial number 1,088,021. The inside is signed: Acier Inox, IWC.
Strap:
The watch is on a period correct, original 1940s Light brown pig-skin strap, with an period correct original, nicely designed Stainless Steel Buckle. The strap is in good vintage condition and is supple and strong.
Movement:
The movement is an IWC calibre 83. It is manual wind with sub second hand. It has 15 jewels and a bi-metallic screw balance. It has the classic finger bridge layout of IWC with Cote De Geneve striped finish. It is in great condition cosmetically and functionally.
The movement is in good condition and is working well, having been recently serviced by ourselves. It is keeping time to +45 seconds a day, with an amplitude of 336 degrees and a beat error of 1.0m/s.
Case dimensions:
Case width: 31mm
Case width with crown: 33.5mm
Case length: 31mm
Case length lug to lug: 37mm
Case Depth: 10.5mm
Lug width: 16mm