The superior automatic IWC featured in today's offering is powered by the 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 it 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.

Its has all original parts down to the dial, hands, winding crown, crystal, and even its only very lightly worn IWC band and buckle! Our photos couldn't do it justice.

It presents as just short of perfect mint condition. The case has been only lightly polished. On the wrist it presents as mint.

The untouched original dial is just short of perfect mint, with only slight aging visible under magnification.

Because the crystal is the original IWC one from the factory and is in very good condition we left it on the watch even though it has a bit of discolored glue and also dirt around the periphery. If you would like us to install a new one for you, please inquire.

One of our watchmakers has disassembled it down to its last screw and cleaned and oiled it making it ready for immediate enjoyment. Its movement winds smoothly and is keeping time.

For the finishing touch it comes still equipped with its original IWC band and buckle which show only fairly signs of being worn.

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.

• Manufacturer: IWC
• City of origin: Schaffhausen, Switzerland
• Serial no.: 1,688,173
• Year built: 1963
• Case no.: 1,886,603
• Functions: Hours, Minutes, Automatic, Sweep Seconds, Date
• Designed for: Men 
• Dimensions: 35mm wide (without crown), 42mm lugs tip-to-tip
• Case condition: Mint with light signs of having been polished and a couple of tiny spots of oxidation on the case back
• 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, just short of perfect mint with only slight aging visible under magnification.
• Hands: Original, steel dauphines
• Jewels: 21 rubies
• Band: Leather, original IWC band and buckle, both signed, they show only fairly signs of being worn. We also stock lizard and a variety of others straps in various prints, skins, and colors if you would like to save the IWC strap and install a new aftermarket one. Please ask us if you're interested.
• Crystal type: Acrylic, original, excellent condition. Because the crystal is the original IWC one from the factory and is in very good condition we left it on the watch even though it has a bit of discolored glue and also dirt around the periphery. If you would like us to install a new one for you, please inquire
• Movement: IWC caliber 8531, self-winding, rhodium plated and decorated, 21 jewels, Breguet hairspring, shock resistant, precision regulator
• Serviced: One of our watchmakers has disassembled it down to its last screw and cleaned and oiled it making it ready for immediate enjoyment.
• 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