IWC dress watch in 18k Gold, cal. 853 from 1962/3

Maker: IWC (International Watch Co.)
Reference: N/A
Year: early 1960s
Case No: 1632503
Material: 18k Gold, Swiss made case
Dimensions: 35mm diameter; 11.5mm thickness
Crystal: Plexiglass
Lume: N/A
Caliber: IWC automatic-winding caliber 853
Service history: July 2022, movement running at -5.4 sec/day
Bracelet/Strap: Epsom brown leather strap from Jones in Tokyo pictured on the wrist shot
Lug Width: 18mm
Box/Papers: N/A


IWC has been a mainstay in the Japanese collector community for years and we are proud to offer this 18k Gold vintage IWC that just might be the perfect dress watch. The 35mm case measurement may seem small by today’s standards, but the proportions between the case and dial and everything in between are perfectly calibrated. The simple baton index, alpha hands, and elegant case design all work together harmoniously.

While we have offered Japan made IWC cased watches from the early 60's before, this particular example is an 18k gold Swiss made case. From the caseback serial number, we could date this watch to 1962-3. This watch is fitted with IWC’s respected caliber 853, which traces its lineage to the caliber 85 family of movements developed by the great Albert Pellaton. Patented in 1950, models featuring the 85X family of movements  were to remain a central feature of IWC watches for almost 40 years. 

This vintage IWC is in overall great condition. The case is the main attraction on this piece as it retains its original beautiful case profile with very sharp / thick lugs. The original white dial is in honest condition with aging and blemishes throughout the dial. The hands, hour, and minute markers are all original and is in overall great condition. The crystal is free of any major scratches. The caseback is clean and the inner caseback have crisp engravings of its serial number as well as the 18K gold logo and hallmarks. The watch was fully serviced in June 2020 and further adjustments and maintenance was done by our watchmaker in July 2022.  It is currently running at -5.4 seconds per day. The watch comes with a tan epsom leather strap made by Jones in Tokyo.

Ships from Japan