IWC Automatic Tonneau Cal.8541B c1971

IWC

It is said that owning a vintage IWC is something everyone with a serious interest in vintage watches should aspire to. A strong statement perhaps, but a little time spent researching IWC and their 1950s & ’60s watches, will very likely lead one to the same conclusion. In essence, this is because during the 1950s and ’60s, IWC determined they would manufacture some of the very best watches ever made and put simply, this is what they did! The craftsmanship, technical excellence and sheer beauty of their exquisite movements and cases, manufactured during the ‘golden age’ of watch-making, has never been beaten – equalled occasionally, perhaps, but never beaten. An IWC is often referred to as a ‘watchmaker’s watch’. This is because watchmakers simply love them, both to work on and to own.

Description

It is said that owning a vintage IWC is something everyone with a serious interest in vintage watches should aspire to. A strong statement perhaps, but a little time spent researching IWC and their 1950s & ’60s watches, will very likely lead one to the same conclusion. In essence, this is because during the 1950s and ’60s, IWC determined they would manufacture some of the very best watches ever made, and put simply, this is what they achieved. The craftsmanship, technical excellence and sheer beauty of their exquisite movements and cases, manufactured during the ‘golden age’ of watch-making, has never been beaten – equalled occasionally perhaps, but never beaten.

An IWC is often referred to as a ‘watchmaker’s watch’. This is because watchmakers simply love them, both to work on and to own.

The watch we see here is special as the movement, one of the Cal.8541B series of movements, is considered one of the very best automatic movements of all time. More than this, the dial, case and movement are in outstanding condition.

The Dial

The incredible, original, unrestored and untouched silver dial is in tip-top condition. Clean, simple, understated and elegant – all the things we are accustomed to with this great brand. We think this combination of onyx inlaid ‘baton’ hour indices, with the steel and black ‘index’ hands and stud minute markers around the dial is hard to beat and the dial contrasts wonderfully with the tonneau stainless steel case. This dial is completed with the wonderful addition of a date window at ‘3’.

This dial is signed with the applied ‘IWC’ branding with the ‘International Watch Co’ signature below 12, ‘Automatic’ just above ‘6’ and ‘Swiss’ just below ‘6’.

Usually, we restore the dials of the watches we sell, however, we decided in this case, due to its exceptional condition, to retain its originality and charm for the many collectors who prefer this. It also helps to contrast with almost all of the other watch dials you see on our website which have been restored.

Please note, studio lights, professional-grade digital cameras, and macro lenses can be very unkind to an unrestored vintage watch dial. Also the dial here measures less than 1.25 inches across, so the image you see here may be between 5 – 25 times larger than the watch itself. Therefore please keep in mind you are seeing many tiny flaws which cannot be seen, or will be very hard to see with the naked eye, even under close examination. Suffice to say, on the wrist, in natural light, this dial looks much better and carries a great deal more charm than the photographs portray.

The Movement

The watch contains the original Cal.8541B automatic movement which as mentioned above, was part of the Cal.854 series which was hugely successful for IWC and one of the best automatic movements ever produced.

The 44 hour power reserve movement has been given a full overhaul and service by our vintage specialist watchmaker and  is keeping time to within -15 seconds per day. This is outstanding for an automatic of this age and has been checked and confirmed o our electronic Timegrapher. We are very happy to offer a 12 months warranty on this watch movement and will be very pleased to assist you with servicing in future.

It is absolutely incredible and signed ‘International Watch Co Swiss’ twice, once on the movement and once on the rotor. The movement is also marked with the Cal.8541B and ‘21 Jewels’.

*Please note – our 12 months’ warranty is only applicable if the list price is paid.

The Case

This stainless steel case measures 35mm in diameter, excluding the correct IWC signed crown. This wonderful IWC Tonneau case is very heavy and robust and measures 40mm top to bottom and 41mm across the diagonal. This incredible case also has concealed lugs giving the watch a beautiful presence when on the wrist.

The case has been cleaned, carefully inspected and very lightly hand-polished, as this was all that was required to bring it back to its current tip-top condition, with no scratches dings or marks of any kind visible to the naked eye. The case, as we would expect from IWC, is very solid and well made and the press-fit case-back closes with a very solid and satisfying ‘pop’, indicating the case has been impeccably built and maintained.

Inside the case-back is signed ‘International Watch Co Swiss’ with the case serial number 1952117.

As ever, our standard advice applies: Vintage watches should be kept clean and dry at all times.

The Strap & Buckle

The watch is fitted with a genuine IWC black leather strap and a matching stainless steel IWC buckle. However, if a different colour or style of strap is preferred, please let us know and we will do our best to oblige free of charge. We carry tan, conker, dark brown and black in stock in plain padded leather, crocodile skin or lizard skin. We can also obtain most types and colours from our watch strap partners at WatchObsession within 48hrs. Please take a look at their huge range of straps if you wish.

Box and Papers

Although there are no original papers with the watch, the numbers and markings are all correct, dating this watch to c1971.

Detailed particulars will be included with our purchase receipt for your interest and security. A separate insurance valuation for the replacement value of this watch will also be provided at the time of sale along with our unique ‘Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee’ which states: “If this watch proves to be anything less than 100% genuine, authentic and original, a full refund will be given at any time”.

The high quality hardwood presentation box shown in the photographs is included with the watch.

Payment and Delivery

If you would like to pay by bank transfer, we will be pleased to assist you with this and pass on a 3% saving to you. Paying by bank transfer for a 3% saving will not affect your 12 months warranty. Similarly, if you wish to pay by International SWIFT or Bank Wire Transfer we will provide you with our BIC / Swift number and our IBAN number.

Please check the import duties and any taxes your government may apply, these are different for each country and, unfortunately, out of our control.

We understand there may be some ‘loopholes’ that may help you avoid these charges; however, attempting to use these could impact our ongoing ability to serve our growing international customer base.

For those who happen to visit London on occasion, we are, of course, more than happy to store your watch until we can meet you in our offices in Kensington, London, and hand your watch directly to you there.

As with all our watches, this watch will be sold under our 14 days no-quibble sale or return policy.

In Conclusion

This beautiful circa 1971 vintage IWC is in superb condition, ready for use and completely practical and wearable today. It represents excellent value for money especially is such superb condition. It is a highly desirable vintage watch from one of horology’s most respected names which will provide an excellent investment as well as something to treasure and enjoy!

A word on our prices – We always try our hardest to acquire the very highest quality watches we can find, before restoring them to the highest possible standards. We then offer these at the fairest prices we can, taking into account our pre and post-sales care and service. This approach means we will never be the cheapest, but nor will we be the most expensive. Indeed there are some well-known stores in West London which are highly successful charging between two to three times the price you see here. We, therefore, consider our prices to be fair, given the quality of watches we have to offer.

Please note, we also welcome part exchanges. If you have a watch or a small collection for sale, please contact us as we will be happy to discuss this.

We will also be happy to Service your watch, Repair your watch or Restore your watch, all at ‘sensible’ prices. Please see here.

If you have any questions please call us on 020 7727 7095 or if calling from overseas on +44 207 727 7095.

Please take a look at our other fine vintage steel watches.

Thank you.