IWC
– Good Solid Craftsmanship from Schaffhausen. It is said that owning a vintage IWC is something everyone with a serious interest in vintage watches should aspire to. Quite a strong statement perhaps, but a little time spent researching IWC and its 1950s & ’60s watches in particular, will very likely lead to the same conclusion. In essence, this is because after establishing itself in Schaffhausen in 1868 and building a superb reputation for quality and craftsmanship, IWC during the 1950s and ’60s determined it would design and manufacture some of the very best wristwatches ever made and quite simply, this is what it achieved! The craftsmanship, technical excellence and sheer beauty of its exquisite movements and cases, produced during the ‘golden age’ of watch-making, has never been beaten – equalled perhaps occasionally, but never beaten!
The IWC company brand found inside each of its watches reads: ‘Probus Scafusia’; which approximately translated means: Good, Solid Craftsmanship from Schaffhausen and an IWC is often referred to as a ‘watchmaker’s watch’. This is simply because watchmakers love them, both to work on and to own. This is due to the design, technical excellence and particularly, the sheer beauty of its watch movements.
Description
The IWC De Luxe watch we see here is special because it has a very heavy 18ct, 35mm case, and the Cal. 85xx series movement is considered one of the very best automatic movements of all time. It is complete with an original, unrestored solid gold dial which is in tip-top condition, along with the original and very rarely found IWC box. An original IWC buckle completes the watch.
The Movement
The original Cal. 8541, 21 Jewel automatic movement fitted to this watch is considered the ultimate evolution of a series of movements considered to be the best ever automatics produced by IWC and one of horology’s best of all time.** The series originated with the Cal. 85 in 1950 and evolved through Cal. 852-3-4. The last digit, ie 1, denotes this movement has a date function.
Given the series was in production for over 40 years and enhanced with each iteration, this movement certainly stood the test of time. It is a very robust, reliable and accurate movement, and easy to service. The winding system, developed by IWC’s famous technical director Albert Pellaton, is particularly celebrated and has achieved great acclaim.
The movement has been fully overhauled by a Master Watchmaker. This means dismantling the movement down to each of its component parts, careful inspection under high magnification, replacement where necessary with only genuine IWC replacement parts, then careful reassembly and adjustment, before final calibration in 5 positions. This watch therefore winds, sets and runs very accurately and reliably. When tested on our electronic timegrapher machine, it was found to be running within +8 seconds per day, which is outstanding for any watch of this age. We are therefore highly confident in offering our 12-months written warranty with this watch movement*.
The movement is all signed correctly: ‘International Watch Co.’ and ‘Swiss’ with both the Calibre number 8541 and the serial number 1760041 which dates this watch to 1963.
*Please note – our 12 months’ warranty is only applicable if the full list price is paid.
**Brunner and Pfeiffer-Belli, in their book “Wristwatches Armbanduhren Montres-bracelets” refers to the Cal. 853 as “one of the best automatic movements ever built in Switzerland”.
The Dial
The classic style of the dial is typical vintage IWC of this period – clean, simple, understated and elegant. All the things we are accustomed to with this prestigious brand.
The solid gold dial is furnished with faceted ‘baton’ hour indices, matched with the original onyx inlaid ‘index’ hands. Normally we restore the dials of each of our watches as part of the overall restoration. However, here this original dial is in tip-top condition and far too good to restore, so we have left it alone.
The lens which has been replaced with a new original.
This is the original dial which has been left alone and completely untouched.
The Case
The very high quality, heavy 18ct yellow gold watch case measures 35mm in diameter, excluding the original signed IWC crown. The case is of a two-piece design and of very sturdy construction for improved water resistance. The sturdy screw-down case-back means this was specified as a waterproof watch when new. The case-back is of full thickness and has never been engraved.
The condition of the watch case is truly immaculate, with no scratches, dings or other damage visible to the naked eye and has therefore simply required a professional clean and gentle hand-polish to bring back the almost new look of the watch.
Inside the case-back we find the case is all correctly signed ‘International Watch Co.’ ‘Swiss’ with the IWC brand, Swiss Geneva 18ct hallmarks and the case serial number 1770992 along with the reference R808A.
The Strap and Buckle
The watch is fitted with a new high quality brown lizard strap, which suits the watch perfectly and the strap is fitted is with its original vintage IWC buckle. However, if a different colour or different style strap is preferred please let us know and we will do our best to provide your choice, free of charge.
The Box and Papers
Although there are no original papers with this watch, the movement, case numbers and hallmarks all match, dating the watch to 1963.
Detailed particulars will be included with the receipt, along with our 12 months ‘ warranty*. A separate insurance valuation for the replacement value of this watch will also be provided at the time of sale along with our unique ‘Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee’ which states: “If this watch proves to be anything less than totally authentic, or not as described, Vintage Gold Watches of London will offer you a full refund at any time”.
The original IWC presentation box shown in the photographs is included in the sale.
In Conclusion
This is a truly first-class example of a 1963 IWC 18ct dress watch which is ready to wear and completely practical for everyday use. If treated with care, it will make an excellent investment and heirloom piece. IWC will always command huge respect in the high end watch market and consequently, prices are always rock solid. We are therefore sure this will make a great acquisition for any collector to wear, or to treasure and enjoy!
A word on our prices – We always try our hardest to acquire the very highest quality watches we can find, before restoring them to the highest possible standards. We then offer these at the fairest prices we can, taking into account our pre and post sales care and service. This approach means we will never be the cheapest, but nor will we be the most expensive. Indeed there are some well-known stores in West London which are highly successful charging between two to three times the price you see here. We therefore consider our prices to be fair, given the quality of watches we have to offer.
We are happy to accept PayPal as this is the quickest method of payment. However, if you would like to pay by UK cheque or by UK bank transfer we will be pleased to assist you with this and pass on a 3% saving to you. Similarly, if you wish to pay by International SWIFT or Bank Wire Transfer we will provide you with our BIC / Swift number and our IBAN number.
If you have any questions, please call us on 0207 727 7095 or if calling from overseas on +44 207 727 7095.
Please note, we welcome part exchanges. If you have a watch or small collection for sale, please contact us as we will be happy to discuss.
We will also be happy to Service your watch, Repair your watch or Restore your watch, all at sensible prices. Please see here.
Please take a look at our other fine vintage gold watches.
Thank you.
Andrew M via feefo 
3rd December 2024 
JLC1891 
