IWC Automatic Dress Watch Caliber 853 c.1962

Regular price £1,600.00

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The Watch
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 In the 1960s, IWC's focus was dress watches with high finishing, rivaling even the best from the Holy Trinity of watchmaking.

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This very mid-century designed dress watch represents the epitome of the period for the brand, and it's powered by a Caliber 853 which has the legendary Pellaton winding system. This system paved the way for IWC.

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Pellaton hit upon a surprising solution: instead of putting a ball bearing or cog at the center of the rotor, he used a heart-shaped, eccentrically bearing-mounted disc. The latter converts the rotor’s revolutions into the to-and-fro movements of a rocking bar. The bar’s rocking movements are then transmitted to the winding wheel by two pawls: while one of them pulls the wheel (i.e. winds it), the other glides smoothly over the top of it until the roles are reversed. 

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. This movement is considered, hands down, one of the most important movements manufactured by IWC.

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The wonderful quality Steel Case is unpolished and boasts lovely strong lugs.

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This particular IWC Dress Watch is in superb condition, it comes fully serviced, ready to wear.

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The Specs


Age: Movement 1960, Case 1962, Absolutely fine for this period.
Movement: Automatic with Centre Seconds.
Calibre: 853.
Timekeeping: Very Good.
Service History: Fully Professionally Serviced January 2025.
Dial: Original IWC Factory Dial.
Case: Stainless Steel.
Measurements: 35mm.
Bezel: Solid.
Water Resistant?: No.
Hands: Original Hands.
Crystal: Original Acrylic.
Crown: Replacement Non-Fish Crown.
Strap/Bracelet: On a new 18mm Hirsch Black Crocograin Genuine Leather Strap with Steel Buckle.
Lug Width: 18mm.

Getting Acquainted

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Bits that stand out:
- Supreme Quality Movement with Pellaton Winding System.
- Superb Condition.
- 35mm Case.
- Beautiful Original Dial with Attractive Patina.

Nitty Gritty:
- Some minor marks and scratches to the Case.
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Overall this Dress Watch is in Superb condition.
The Dial is in Beautiful condition. 
 Case is in excellent order.
Acrylic Crystal is Original and also in excellent order.
Crown is a non-fish logo crown and we believe this to be correct for non waterproof IWC's of the period.
The hands are in excellent nick.
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 Photographed on a 7 inch Wrist