Why This Watch Matters

IWC has delivered stylish and elegant watches for well over 150 years, and this dress watch from the 1960s is no exception. It's developed a lovely patina over the decades, making it even more compelling. 

The Full Story

This no-frills time-only watch is an excellent example of why IWC dress watches continue to enjoy a strong following among vintage watch collectors. The company has always followed the mantra of "less is more," with a keen eye for editing its watch designs in a way that is both balanced and refined. While the 35mm case of this watch might seem small by today's standard, its slim bezel and silver dial allow it to wear larger on the wrist. The subtle, silver-tone baton makers and the matching svelte hands keep this watch very elegant but still approachable.

Inside the watch is the workhorse self-winding caliber 854B, a full-rotor automatic movement using IWC's proprietary Pellaton winding system. Developed by Albert Pellaton at IWC in 1946, this unique automatic movement allowed energy to be transferred directly from the bi-directional rotor to the mainspring, a considerably more efficient solution compared to other mid-century self-winding movements. This is a lovely dress watch that has withstood the test of time and will continue to do so for many years and decades to come.

We paired this watch with our Bedford Watch Strap in Slate Grey. The mid-tone grey color is unexpectedly neutral and works well with this IWC's silver dial palette.

The Fine Print

Maker: IWC
Model: Automatic
Reference: R 810 A 
Year: Circa 1966
Case No: 1881776 
Material: Stainless steel
Dimensions: 34.5mm diameter; 10.5mm thickness
Crystal: Plexiglass 
Lume: Yes, tritium
Caliber: IWC automatic caliber 854 
Bracelet/Strap:
Lug Width: 18mm 
Box/Papers: No

What we Love and What You Should Know

This watch is overall in very good condition. The case is strong with some scratches. The bezel has a light mark at two o'clock. The silver dial is well-preserved. The crown has IWC's iconic fish logo indicating water-tightness. The lume shows a soft patina with minor wear on some plots. The hands have developed slight patina. The lume on the hands has also gained an attractive patina, which appears even with the lume plots. The dial, movement, case are all signed by IWC.