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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Movement · Stem wound / lever set pocket watch movement

IWC Peerless pocket watch movement, circa 1909

Partially verified

This Swiss hunter pocket watch movement is attributed by the dealer to the International Watch Co (IWC) and dated to circa 1909. The frosted gilt bridge mechanism features a lever escapement, stem winding, and lever setting. The source records its signature as 'S & Co, Peerless, 451435, Swiss' and dimensions of 40 mm in diameter by 7 mm in thickness. The balance assembly, regulateur index lever, winding wheels with sunburst finish, and screwed jewel chatons are visible across the plates.

Top-plate view of the gilt IWC Peerless bridge movement showing the balance assembly, winding wheels, and Swiss signature
Top-plate view of the gilt IWC Peerless bridge movement showing the balance assembly, winding wheels, and Swiss signature — Atlam Watches. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.antiquesboutique.com
Category
Movement · Stem wound / lever set pocket watch movement
Maker / attribution
International Watch Co
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
MS14 (AB-93655)
Source-reported date
circa 1909
Country
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
451435

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Identity and Attribution

The seller describes the item as a Swiss pocket watch movement produced circa 1909 by the International Watch Co (IWC) and classifies it under the period 'Early 20th Century'. The dealer listing records the movement as signed 'S & Co, Peerless, 451435, Swiss' and identifies the stock code as 'MS14 (AB-93655)'.

Visible inscriptions noted in direct inspection include the serial number and 'PEERLESS' positioned beneath the balance rim, along with 'SWISS' marked on the outer plate. The reference to Stauffer & Co is not stated in the source text or present on visible markings beyond the engraved initials 'S & Co'.

Evidence for this section
  • “This is a Swiss pocket watch movement made circa 1909 by the International Watch Co or IWC as they are also known”
  • “signed “S & Co, Peerless, 451435, Swiss””
  • “Period Early 20th Century”
  • “Code MS14 (AB-93655)”

Mechanical Layout and Construction

According to the source, the movement is a hunter configuration designed for stem winding and lever setting, measuring 40 mm wide by 7 mm thick. The escapement is identified in the text as a lever escapement.

Visual observations of the movement record a frosted gilt bridge layout with exposed steel winding wheels finished with circular sunburst graining. The balance assembly features a balance spring and an index regulator marked with 'F' and 'S', while the train wheel bridge incorporates jeweled pivot holes set in screwed chatons.

Evidence for this section
  • “The movement is a hunter, stem wound / lever set.”
  • “The movement measures 40mm wide x 7mm”
  • “Movement – the gilt bridge movement has a lever escapement”

Scope of Offering and Dealer Condition Notes

The piece is offered as an uncased movement without a case or winding stem ('It does not come with a winder'). While the seller mentions a 'white enamel' dial with 'a full set of blue steel hands' exhibiting edge damage from 11 to 2, the dial and hands are not present in the available photograph, which documents only the bridge side.

The dealer characterizes the movement as having 'a good balance and spring' and rates its condition as '99% mint condition', alongside assessing the dial as '75% mint condition'. These evaluations represent dealer condition claims rather than independently verified mechanical or functional performance.

Evidence for this section
  • “It does not come with a winder.”
  • “Dial – the white enamel comes with a full set of blue steel hands. The dial is in 75% mint condition – damage on the edge from the 11 - 2”
  • “The movement has a good balance and spring.”
  • “The movement is in 99% mint condition – a superb example”

Open research questions

  • Which specific IWC calibre designation corresponds to this 40 mm hunter-configuration gilt bridge movement?
  • Do factory production records for serial number 451435 verify manufacture in Schaffhausen in circa 1909 for S & Co?
  • What markings and visual features are present on the unpictured white enamel dial?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for IWC Peerless pocket watch movement, circa 1909
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Maker attributionInternational Watch Co“This is a Swiss pocket watch movement made circa 1909 by the International Watch Co or IWC as they are also known”
Movement signature and serialS & Co, Peerless, 451435, Swiss“signed “S & Co, Peerless, 451435, Swiss””
Winding and settingStem wound / lever set“The movement is a hunter, stem wound / lever set.”
Dimensions40mm wide x 7mm“The movement measures 40mm wide x 7mm”
Dealer stock codeMS14 (AB-93655)“Code MS14 (AB-93655)”
Dealer identityAtlam Watches“Dealer Atlam Watches”
Asking price£195“£195”

Visible details

  • Frosted gilt bridge layout with exposed steel winding wheels featuring circular sunburst graining
  • Balance wheel with balance spring and index regulator arm marked with 'F' and 'S'
  • Jeweled pivot holes set in screwed chatons on the train wheel bridge
  • Visible markings under the balance rim include serial numbers and 'PEERLESS'
  • 'SWISS' stamped along the outer rim plate

Research qualifications

  • Dial and hands noted in dealer listing are not pictured in this view
  • No watch case or winding stem is present with the movement

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

IWC International Watch Co Peerless pocket watch movement c1909 in Antique Pocket Watches

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 1b8c044d1c

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.