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 1961 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 the watch's original contract case made for IWC for the Japanese market by Isomura and correctly stamped on the inside. It measures 35mm in diameter, in between the sizes of the a Rolex Date and a Rolex Datejust.
It is fully IWC down to the dial, hands, and original crown. It has just finished a true expertly done restoration and presents in overall beautiful condition.
Its very rare platinum case presents very nicely. Its wonderful spun silver dial has been meticulously restored - its printing could pass as IWC factory done to the naked eye. We love its spun finish!
A Master Watchmaker has freshly overhauled its movement, which is running extremely strong and true, keeping better than many new IWC's in our testing position.
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 has done authorized work IWC and other for the Richemont brands including Cartier, Vacheron & Constantin, JLC and others.
For the finishing touch we have equipped it with a brand new calfskin leather 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.
- Manufacturer: IWC
- City of origin: Schaffhausen, Switzerland
- Serial no.: 1,578,955
- Year built: 1961
- Functions: Hours, Minutes, Automatic, Sweep Seconds
- Designed for: Men
- Dimensions: 35mm wide (without crown), 42mm lugs tip-to-tip
- Case condition: Presents very nicely. A bit of the original solder is visible on the side for the lugs...and the back has the slightest bit of a small ripple. Otherwise it would present as mint.
- Case markings (inside): Platinum, Isomura stamp, PM900
- Dial: Silver with spun finish, signed International Watch Co. Schaffhausen and AUTOMATIC, faceted baton indexes, outer minute track, expertly refinished
- Hands: Original, "batons"
- Jewels: 21 rubies
- Band: Calfskin leather (aftermarket), 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, excellent condition
- Movement: IWC caliber 853, self-winding, rhodium plated and decorated, 21 jewels, Breguet hairspring, shock resistant, precision regulator
- Serviced: A Master Watchmaker has freslt overhauled it.
- 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 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 has done authorized work IWC and other for the Richemont brands including Cartier, Vacheron & Constantin, JLC and others.
- Warranty: 1-year international warranty. Please email [email protected] 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
