Today's offering showcases this classic and meticulously restored IWC with oxblood red vignette dial. It's powered by the renowned Albert Pellaton designed Caliber 8531 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 the movement of this watch in 1963 at the same 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.

Full size for a vintage watch, it is just over 35mm in diameter without the crown, in between the sizes of a Rolex Date and a Rolex Datejust.

It has all of its original parts down to its original fished signed waterproof crown and has just finished a true expertly done restoration. It presents in gorgeous condition - a 9.7 out of 10. Our photos couldn't do it justice.

Its full size case presents as mint. Its distinctive oxblood red vignette dial - deep red in the center that fades to black around the periphery - has been meticulously restored. The printing of the words could pass as IWC factory done to the naked eye.

As part of the restoration, the movement has been freshly fully overhauled by a Master Watchmaker. It is running strong and very true, keeping time like a new IWC in our testing recording position.

For the finishing touch, we have equipped it with a brand new aftermarket calfskin leather strap and aftermarket IWC style buckle 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.

A more than half-century old IWC that presents like new on the wrist!

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 extremely experienced team of four Master Watchmakers all of whom each have over thirty-five years of experience and a large number of parts. One used to be the watchmaker for an authorized Rolex dealership and was given special training by Rolex at their Beverly Hills Service Center. He also has done authorized watchmaking work for the Richemont Group's Service Center, owner of Cartier, IWC Schaffhausen, and many others.

Manufacturer: IWC
City of origin: Schaffhausen, Switzerland
Serial no.: 1,688,793
Case no.: 1,679,647
Model: Ref, 603A
Year built: 1963
Functions: Hours, Minutes, Automatic, Sweep Seconds, Semi Quick-Setting Date
Designed for: Men
Dimensions: 35mm wide (without crown), 41mm lugs tip-to-tip
Case condition: Presents as mint with aging mostly hidden in the engine bay as is common with these.
Case markings (inside): International Watch Co., Swiss, Acier Inoxydable Staybrite, 1,679,647
Dial: Oxblood red vignette - deep red in the center that fades to black around the periphery, signed International Watch Co. Schaffhausen, and AUTOMATIC, steel baton indexes, outer minute track, expertly restored
Hands: Original, steel faceted dauphines
Jewels: 21 rubies
Band: Calfskin leather, fully stitched, padded, brand new and unworn with aftermarket IWC style buckle. We also stock lizard and a variety of other straps in various prints, skins, and colors. Please ask us if you're interested.
Crystal type: Acrylic, excellent condition
Movement: IWC caliber 8531, self-winding, rhodium plated and decorated, 21 jewels, Breguet hairspring, shock resistant, precision regulator
Serviced: Yes, fully freshly overhauled by a Master Watchmaker.
Timed: Yes, timed to precision on a state-of-the-art computerized system. It is running strong and very true, keeping time like a new IWC in our testing recording position.
Warranty: 1-year international warranty. Please email concierge@cotwatches.com for details. 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 extremely experienced team of four Master Watchmakers all of whom each have over thirty-five years of experience and a large number of parts. One used to be the watchmaker for an authorized Rolex dealership and was given special training by Rolex at their Beverly Hills Service Center. He also has done authorized watchmaking work for the Richemont Group's Service Center, owner of Cartier, IWC Schaffhausen, and many others.
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

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