IWC Ingenieur Gay Freres

Ohmeguh
Posts
375
Likes
1,654
I went fishing this week and managed to catch 2 Gay Frishes, I mean Freres... I have not been looking for long so I am curious what luck others have had finding these? My research makes believe these are somewhat rare, especially the earlier overhanging probus example, so I am curious if I just had good timing? Either way I am happy and my short journey has come to a close. For transparency all in for both was <1.5KUSD. Early example has "I" and later example has "IA" endlinks. Pictures below from sellers.
1000005084.jpg 1000005086.jpg
 
Malthus101
Posts
222
Likes
335
I bought an IWC 866 with an original Guy Freres beads of rice bracelet like this, but the problem for me is that as my wrist is 6.5", even on the lowest setting, the bracelet doesn't fit! It doesn't have flex like a modern bracelet. So you are kind of limited in who can actually wear these bracelets... (not skinny wrist people like me haha)
 
Ohmeguh
Posts
375
Likes
1,654
Malthus101 Malthus101
I bought an IWC 866 with an original Guy Freres beads of rice bracelet like this, but the problem for me is that as my wrist is 6.5", even on the lowest setting, the bracelet doesn't fit! It doesn't have flex like a modern bracelet. So you are kind of limited in who can actually wear these bracelets... (not skinny wrist people like me haha)
You are able to remove links to accommodate and make adjustments on the clasp. It's a bit of work but worth it!
 
size11s
Posts
752
Likes
1,288
I guess right place at right time as they aren't often seen, as you say. Is the earlier bracelet for sale or do you have a watch for it?
 
Malthus101
Posts
222
Likes
335
Ohmeguh Ohmeguh
You are able to remove links to accommodate and make adjustments on the clasp. It's a bit of work but worth it!

Do you mean the actual "beads of rice" section itself?

1738449-ec8c0889bece8e46961289a839d71c41.png
 
Ohmeguh
Posts
375
Likes
1,654
Yes, it involves opening the beads and adjusting the springs. A watchmaker can do this or they have some videos online.
 
Malthus101
Posts
222
Likes
335
Ohmeguh Ohmeguh
Yes, it involves opening the beads and adjusting the springs. A watchmaker can do this or they have some videos online.
Oh wow... that sounds possibly quite destructive though - I'd be too worried about something going wrong!

There was a guy years ago on the IWC forum that actually made reproductions of these types of bracelets but only in 18mm or 20mm - the IWC one is annoyingly 19mm! So a loose 18mm or nothing.

Maybe one day I'll try and find him again and see if he could do a custom 19mm in my size!
 
Ohmeguh
Posts
375
Likes
1,654
Malthus101 Malthus101
Oh wow... that sounds possibly quite destructive though - I'd be too worried about something going wrong!

There was a guy years ago on the IWC forum that actually made reproductions of these types of bracelets but only in 18mm or 20mm - the IWC one is annoyingly 19mm! So a loose 18mm or nothing.

Maybe one day I'll try and find him again and see if he could do a custom 19mm in my size!
Do you have a link to this? I wonder if he reproduced endlinks?
 
Malthus101
Posts
222
Likes
335
Ohmeguh Ohmeguh
Do you have a link to this? I wonder if he reproduced endlinks?
I'll try and track him down again... I was wondering about him myself recently.
 
Malthus101
Posts
222
Likes
335
I think the guy I was referring to was called "Mr. Beads" but it seems hard to find a website. The one offered on Gralium looks to be the best available at the moment although the end links are straight.
 
Ohmeguh
Posts
375
Likes
1,654
I know other members interested if in the slim chance they make custom endlinks. Thanks for looking.👍
 
Danwales
Posts
744
Likes
1,766
20250831_143001.webp 20250831_143008.webp 20250831_143001.webp


Bought the watch now on the nato because it came with a nice GF IWC bracelet. It was a very good price and so I Intended to keep the bracelet and sell the watch on to recoup some of the money. It looks good on this nato though. To keep or not to keep. That is the question.

20250831_143013.webp
 
size11s
Posts
752
Likes
1,288
I was very briefly in the IWC museum a week or so ago, it was an unplanned visit and very close to closing time but they allowed me a few minutes in the exhibition, I took a few hurried snaps, excuse the poor quality. I didn't realise that Edmund Hillary wore an Ingenieur on his Transantarctic journey.
IMG_6731.webp IMG_6732.webp IMG_6739.webp IMG_6740.webp
 
pdxleaf
Posts
5,979
Likes
20,527
Danwales Danwales
Bought the watch now on the nato because it came with a nice GF IWC bracelet. It was a very good price and so I Intended to keep the bracelet and sell the watch on to recoup some of the money. It looks good on this nato though. To keep or not to keep. That is the question.

20250831_143013.webp

That's a very nice looking watch and bracelet combo. I'm not crazy myself about bubbling and cracked lacquer dials, but it's pretty evenly distributed and could grow on me. You might be able to find a watch with a better condition dialand swap. It'd probably be a stunner. If you're like me, as soon as you decide to sell the watch head, the day after it's in the mail you'll find a pristine dial.
 
Danwales
Posts
744
Likes
1,766
pdxleaf pdxleaf
That's a very nice looking watch and bracelet combo. I'm not crazy myself about bubbling and cracked lacquer dials, but it's pretty evenly distributed and could grow on me. You might be able to find a watch with a better condition dialand swap. It'd probably be a stunner. If you're like me, as soon as you decide to sell the watch head, the day after it's in the mail you'll find a pristine dial.

I quite like the dial. Its surprised me. This watch has become an everyday wearer. Its just so accurate and versatile.
 
pdxleaf
Posts
5,979
Likes
20,527
Danwales Danwales
I quite like the dial. Its surprised me. This watch has become an everyday wearer. Its just so accurate and versatile.
Not hard to imagine.

I started looking for one. 😁
 
Tony C.
Posts
7,980
Likes
27,939
size11s size11s
I didn't realise that Edmund Hillary wore an Ingenieur on his Transantarctic journey
I don't think they he did, nor do I think that Ingenieurs were issued to the RAF, etc. Note that they repeatedly say INTERNATIONAL, and make no specific reference to Ingenieurs.
 
size11s
Posts
752
Likes
1,288
Hi Tony, I tend to agree. I found images of Hillary and another member of the expedition party being presented with their International watches and the lugs look more like a MK11 than a 666 Ingenieur, more downturned. But, in the first advert pic I posted they directly quote Hillary as "reporting...spontaneously, on the invaluable service rendered him by the IWC Ingenieur on the long and arduous trek across the antarctic to the South Pole.....". Of course they could have been given more than one watch. Then again, the qualities of the MK11 are not dissimilar to that of the Ingenieur so perhaps there is a slight misuse to the name Ingenieur, by someone.

Presentation party
Hillary getting Ingenieur:Mk11 showing box.webp

detail of above
detail Mk11 lugs.webp

Ingenieur 666 and Mk11 on top
Mk11 and Ingenieur lug comparison.webp
 
6 More Posts...
Sign up or log in to reply...