This superb 1960 IWC 18K solid gold automatic wristwatch remains in perfect order, with few marks to evidence it's age. There are obviously a few very light surface scratches on the case itself, and one obvious one on the case back, but 18k is a softer gold and I did not wish to have them polished out as the watch is now 64 years old so deserves to show its character. Very importantly it still runs perfectly, and is a testament to the Albert Pellaton designed movement, he being Technical Director of IWC until his retirement in 1966. This cal. 8531 was the the first of his new and quite brilliant 21 jewelled automatic movement designs, with the mechanism afterwards known in his honour as the "Pellaton Self - Winding System". Pellaton had joined IWC from Vacheron Constantin a few years earlier and insisted on the highest quality standards without exception. I had it fully professionally (and rather expensively!) fully checked over and serviced around four years ago as I have a strict regime about such things. I still remember the watchmaker enthusing about both the watch and the super condition of its movement. I do recall that it softened the blow of his bill a little anyway!
Please study the high resolution photographs of the watch, the movement, case back et al. I hope these show satisfactorily the total originality of the watch and also the beautiful and completely correct original engine-turned finish of the movement which exudes a superb quality and finish, exactly as one would expect of IWC.
The case is of classic IWC style, the whole in solid 18K gold, including of course the case back. The winder crown is the correct original crown bearing the IWC fish motif, whilst the original ivory dial is crisp, and is curved down towards the edges in classic late '50s "Pie Pan" style. It has gold hour batons with matching gold dagger hands. The dial bears the great name "International Watch Co" in fine italics high up on it, with "SCHAFFHAUSEN" in tiny capitals beneath it and on the lower part of the dial "AUTOMATIC", again in tiny capital letters. At the very bottom of the dial is the also tiny but all-important single word - "SWISS".
The unmarked acrylic crystal fitted has, unusually and very usefully, a cyclops lens fitted for easier viewing of the date. I believe this was a rare optional extra at that time, being normally reserved just for their Ingenieur model.
There are several photos of part of my correspondence with IWC in early 2019, when I wished to check what history of the watch they had on their records. They kindly confirmed the authenticity of the watch, and that it had been supplied to Shiro in Hong Kong on 13th April, 1960. The original correspondence will be sent with the watch of course, but what an amazing start to a full life of precision timekeeping!
Finally it is fitted with a correct genuine IWC crocodile/alligator leather strap and an appropriate matching buckle, and I have really enjoyed wearing it on special occasions over the last five years, but now it is time it went on to another appreciative home.
Watch dimensions:
Case diameter is c. 34mm not including winder crown Case thickness is c. 12.25mm Length to tip of lugs is c. 41.50mm Strap size is 18mmThank you for looking and for your interest.