IWC Ingenieur Cal.8531 1962

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

The Ingenieur brand first appeared in 1954 and has been applied to watches designed for scientific, technical, and exploration usage. Most Ingenieur watches feature water resistance, anti-magnetic capabilities, and precise timing. In this way, the Ingenieur is similar to the Rolex Milgauss and Rolex Explorer. From the beginning, IWC Ingenieur watches have features a logo with “INGENIEUR” in capital letters above a lightning bolt from top left to bottom right.

This wonderful example of the IWC ingenieur carries a fully original, unrestored and untouched silver dial which is showing some wonderful signs of ageing. Not only does this truly remarkable watch have a stunning dial and case, it also carries the high grade calibre 8531 automatic movement which was first released in 1959.

The Dial

The original, unrestored and untouched silver dial is classic for an IWC Ingenieur. Simple, understated and elegant. All the things we are accustomed to with this great brand. We think this combination of the unrestored ‘dauphine’ hands, ‘baton’ hour indices which have lume on the outer edge, is hard to beat and the dial contrasts wonderfully with the stainless steel case. This outstanding dial also carries the addition of the date window at the 3 position, this was a common feature on the IWC Ingenieur.

This dial is signed with the infinitely more attractive early International Watch Company Schaffhausen signature just below 12, along with ‘Ingenieur’ correctly at the bottom of the dial just above 6.

As this dial is in original, unrestored condition, this has been left untouched by our restoration team due to its superb condition. Usually, we restore the dials of the watches we sell, however we decided in this case to leave it alone, due to its unusually good condition and to retain its originality and charm for those 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. The hands, likewise, have also been left in their original untouched condition.

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’re seeing 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 original Cal. 8531, 21 Jewel automatic movement fitted to this watch is part of a family of movements considered to be the best ever automatics produced by IWC and therefore one of horology’s best of all time.**  It originated as the Cal. 85 in 1950 and evolved through Cal. 852-3-4. The last digit, ie 1, denotes this movement has a date function.

Given that it was in production for over 40 years and enhanced in each iteration, this movement has proven itself as durable, accurate and easy to service. Above all else, its winding system, developed by IWC’s famous technical director, Albert Pellaton, has achieved great acclaim.

The movement has been fully overhauled by a Master Watchmaker. This means stripping the watch down to each of its component parts, careful inspection under high magnification, replacement where necessary with only genuine IWC parts, then careful reassembly and adjustment before final calibration in 5 positions. This watch therefore winds, sets and runs accurately and reliably, within +10 seconds per day, averaged over 5 positions and also has a 44 hour power reserve when fully wound. Please bear in mind this is outstanding for any watch of this age. We are therefore highly confident in offering 12 months warranty on this watch movement*.

The movement is all signed correctly: ‘International Watch Co Swiss’ and ‘21 Jewels’ with both the Calibre number 8531 and the serial number 1713833 which dates this watch to 1962.

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

**Brunner and Pfeiffer-Belli, in their book “Wristwatches Armbanduhren Montres-bracelets” call the Cal. 853 “one of the best automatic movements ever built in Switzerland”.

The Case

The very high quality, IWC Swiss made stainless steel watch case measures an oversized, 37mm in diameter, excluding the correct signed crown. This three-piece case is in the typically 1960s style with classic lines, attractive sweeping lugs and a screw down case-back.

The high polished, full thickness case-back has never been inscribed. This watch has been exceptionally well cared for and the main case body, bezel and case-back are all in beautiful condition with no scratches, dings or other damage visible to the naked eye, therefore after careful inspection, the case has simply required a professional clean and gentle hand-polish, to bring back the almost new look of the watch.

Inside the case-back all the markings are correct and as expected, ‘International Watch Co’, ‘Swiss’ along with ‘Staybrite Steel’.

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

The Bracelet

The original, IWC signed stainless steel bracelet is very close to perfect condition. The bracelet has simply been cleaned and lightly polished to bring it back to the condition you see here. Setting the catch to the shortest adjustment the bracelet will fit a 16.5cm wrist, then when setting the catch to the longest adjustment the bracelet will fit a 19.1cm wrist.

Box and Papers

Although there are no original papers with this watch, the reference numbers, markings, signatures and hallmarks are all correct and indicate the date of manufacture as 1962.

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 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”.

This watch comes complete with a double watch leather pouch.

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 that happen to visit the UK 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 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.