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 85x series "one of the best automatic movements ever built in Switzerland."
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 the movement of this fine wristwatch in 1967 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.
It is 36.5mm in diameter without the crown by 44mm long lug tip to tip, larger than most similar IWCs and slightly larger than even a mens Rolex Datejust.
It has all of its original parts. It has just finished a true expertly done restoration and presents in gorgeous condition - a 9.7 out of 10. Our photos couldn't begin to do it justice!
Its full size case with water-resistant design presents as mint. Its dial has been meticulously restored - the printing could pass as IWC factory done to the naked eye.
As part of the restoration the movement has been overhauled by a Master Watchmaker, and it winds very smoothly. It is running amazingly strong and true, keeping perfect time on par with a brand new IWC in our testing position. Photos of the inside available upon request.
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 contract work for IWC and their Richemont Service Center and also used to be an authorized Rolex watchmaker for a Rolex authorized dealer.
For the finishing touch, we have equipped it with a new 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 attesting to its performance.
A more than half-century old IWC that amazingly looks like new!
- Manufacturer: IWC
- City of origin: Schaffhausen, Switzerland
- Model: Ref. R804
- Serial no.: 1,881,204
- Year built: 1967
- Functions: Hours, Minutes, Automatic, Sweep Seconds
- Designed for: Men
- Dimensions: 36.5mm wide (without crown), 44mm lugs tip-to-tip
- Case material: Stainless steel
- Case no.: 1,917,764
- Case condition: Presents as mint. Only slight aging inside the engine bay as is common with these.
- Dial: Silver, signed International Watch Co. Schaffhausen and AUTOMATIC, faceted baton indexes outer minute track, expertly restored
- Hands: Original, steel dauphines
- Movement type: IWC caliber 8541, self-winding, rhodium plated and decorated, 21 jewels, Breguet hairspring, shock resistant, precision regulator
- Jewels: 21 rubies
- Band: Leather, 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: Acrylic, appears original, excellent condition
- Serviced: Yes, overhauled by a Master Watchmaker. It winds smoothly.
- Timing: Timed on a state-of-the-art computerized system. It is running amazingly strong and true, keeping time like a brand new IWC in our testing position.
- Warranty: 1-year international warranty. Please message us for details. 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 contract work for IWC and their Richemont Service Center and also used to be an authorized Rolex watchmaker for a Rolex authorized dealer.
- Box/Papers: BOX - Connoisseur of Time watch presentation box; PAPERS - Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity; New timing certificate
- Returns: 7 days full refund. 100% satisfaction guarantee
