The superior automatic IWC featured in today's offering is powered by the Albert Pellaton designed Caliber 853 movement. This mechanism's automatic winding system is a technical masterpiece, earning it high praise - Gisbert Brunner and Christian Pfeiffer-Belli in their work, Wristwatches Armbanduhren Montres-bracelets, proclaimed the 8531 "one of the best automatic movements ever built in Switzerland."

And the famous watchmaker Donald de Carle, in his book Complicated Watches and their Repair, stated that IWC's special automatic winding mechanism was "a simple and ingenious system, well constructed and beautifully finished."

IWC built it in 1962 at the same time they were building their famous Ingenieur line. These dress watches were more elegant than the pragmatic Ingenieur but shared the high-performance timekeeping qualities in normal wearing conditions. And compared to an Ingenieur, because they do not have a second inner back, the cases are thinner and lighter on the wrist.

It has all IWC original parts down to the dial, hands, signed winding crown, and crystal!

It is in gorgeous original condition and presents as just short of mint on the wrist. The case has never been polished - the back still has its original factory applied satin, and the lugs are perfectly fat with crisp lines.

Its untouched original silver dial is better than near mint. One of our watchmakers has disassembled it down to its last screw and cleaned and oiled it. Its movement winds smoothly and is running very true.

For the finishing touch we have equipped it with a brand new crocodile strap making it ready for immediate enjoyment.

Included with the purchase is a one-year warranty on the movement and its function, a custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity, and a new timing certificate.

You won't be disappointed - this one is very nice!

• Manufacturer: IWC
• City of origin: Schaffhausen, Switzerland
• Serial no.: 1,612,260
• Year built: 1962
• Case no.: 1,616,390
• Functions: Hours, Minutes, Automatic, Sweep Seconds, Date
• Designed for: Men 
• Dimensions: 35mm wide (without crown), 42mm lugs tip-to-tip
• Case condition: Just short of mint with very light wear. Like with most examples it has light spots of aging not visible in the engine bay. It has never been polished - the back still has its original factory applied satin, and the lugs are perfectly fat with crisp lines.
• Case markings (inside): International Watch Co., Swiss, Acier Inoxydable Staybrite
• Dial: Silver, signed International Watch Co. Schaffhausen and AUTOMATIC, faceted baton indexes, outer minute track, original and untouched, better than near mint.
  
• Hands: Original, steel dauphines
• Jewels: 21 rubies
• Band: Crocodile, fully stitched, padded, brand new and unworn. We also stock lizard and a variety of others straps in various prints, skins, and colors. Please ask us if you're interested.
• Crystal type: Acrylic, appears factory original, excellent condition
• Movement: IWC caliber 853, self-winding, rhodium plated and decorated, 21 jewels, Breguet hairspring, shock resistant, precision regulator
• Timed: Timed to precision on a state-of-the-art computerized system. Your watch is important to us, and we will take care of it for its lifetime. We provide the best after sale care in the business with an experienced team of watchmakers both of whom each have over forty years of experience and a large number of parts.
• Warranty: 1-year international warranty. Please email concierge@cotwatches.com for details.
• Box/Papers: BOX - Connoisseur of Time watch presentation box; PAPERS - Custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity; New timing certificate
• Returns: 7 days full refund. 100% satisfaction guarantee

We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee for all of our watches. If you are in any way unsatisfied with the watch we will fully refund the purchase price anytime within 7 days after the watch has been received. Our goal is to exceed our client's expectations throughout the buying experience.

All watches are packaged carefully and mailed double boxed in specially constructed, reinforced shipping boxes designed for high value items. All watches are sent fully insured with signature required. Most of our domestic shipping is done through FedEx. At times we will also use USPS Express Mail, and we can accommodate most requests for your preferred carrier. International shipments are sent USPS International Express Mail or FedEx.

The purchase price will be the declared value of the merchandise on any required customs forms. The payment of all customs duties, tariffs, and taxes are the responsibility of the buyer.

Also note that water resistance of vintage watches can no longer be guaranteed and is not covered under the watch's warranty. We do not recommend getting a vintage watch wet, even one that was originally designed to be waterproof.

To get an idea of how this watch will look on the wrist, please use the Watch Sizing Guide