The superior automatic IWC showcased in today's offering is a rare example made for the Japanese market encased in platinum and powered by the Albert Pellaton designed Caliber 853 movement.

Its full size case has previously had a massive and striking diamond bezel added by a jeweler. Its approximately 40 brilliant diamonds weigh approximately 1.5 carats and are white and eye clean.

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 853x "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 1963 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.

While the vast majority of these were made in stainless steel with some also being made in 18K gold and a few gold plated cases, only very few were made in platinum.

It is encased in the watch's original large contract case made for IWC for the Japanese market by Isomura and correctly stamped on the inside. It measures slightly over 36mm in diameter, a hair larger than even the size of a Rolex Datejust from the period.

With the exception of the diamond bezel, it has all of its original parts down to the hands and winding crown. It presents in beautiful condition.

Its very rare platinum case presents as just short of mint with only the slightest bit of wear, light signs of previous polishing and slight signs of the bezel addition around the lugs.

Its silver dial is original and untouched - it is just short of mint with very slight aging visible under magnification.

A Master Watchmaker has recently overhauled its movement, which is very clean. We have also timed it on a machine that simulates it being worn on the wrist - it is keeping very accurate time on par with a new IWC in our testing.

For the finishing touch, we have equipped it with a brand new leather strap and aftermarket IWC style buckle making it ready for immediate enjoyment.

Also included is an IWC signed band and buckle only lightly worn of unknown origin that was on the watch when we acquired it.

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

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 \ training by Rolex at their Beverly Hills Service Center. He also has done authorized watchmaking work for the Richemont Group's Service Center, IWC Schaffhausen, and many others.

Manufacturer: IWC
City of origin: Schaffhausen, Switzerland
Serial no.: 1,694,355
Year built: 1963
Functions: Hours, Minutes, Automatic, Sweep Seconds
Designed for: Men 
Dimensions: Approx. 36.5mm wide (without crown), 44.5mm lugs tip-to-tip
Case condition: Just short of mint with only the slightest bit of wear, light signs of previous polishing, one super light indention in the back visible at only certain angles, and slight signs of the bezel addition around the the lugs.
Case markings (inside): Platinum, Isomura stamp, PM900
Dial: Silver soleil, signed International Watch Co. Schaffhausen and AUTOMATIC, faceted baton indexes, outer minute track, original and untouched, just short of mint with very slight aging visible under magnification
Hands: Original, "dauphines"
Jewels: 21 rubies
Band: 1.  Teju lizard, aftermarket, fully stitched, padded, brand new and unworn with aftermarket IWC style steel buckle.
2. IWC signed band and buckle only lightly worn of unknown origin - they were on the watch when we aquired it.
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: A Master Watchmaker has recently overhauled its movement, which is very clean
Timed: Timed to precision on a state-of-the-art computerized system. We have also timed it on a machine that simulates it being worn on the wrist - it is keeping very accurate time on par with a new IWC in our testing.
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 \ training by Rolex at their Beverly Hills Service Center. He also has done authorized watchmaking work for the Richemont Group's Service Center, IWC Schaffhausen, and many others.
Box/Papers: BOX - Connoisseur of Time watch presentation box; PAPERS - Custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity
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