IWC’s impressive prestige and brand cachet certainly doesn’t need to be explained to those interested in watchmaking. Since their founding in 1868 they have produced some of the most consistently impressive timepieces of their time, which they still manage to do today. However, their vintage timepieces can sometimes go unnoticed by the broader market, and thus they can present truly exceptional value for a collector willing to sift through the world of vintage for their prize, just like the timepiece we have here, the IWC ref. 809A. Launched in the 1960s, the ref. 809A is a refined and elegant timepiece that is inherently under-the-radar. Boasting a 34mm 18kt yellow gold case and a simple silver dial it features an understated mid-century dress watch aesthetic that is entirely uninterrupted. With such easy-to-enjoy looks it is a watch that will easily fit into any collection, but its movement is where its story begins. Powered by the automatic cal. 8541 (the same movement as the cal. 854 but with a date aperture) , the ref. 809A boasts the first movement to feature the Pellaton automatic winding system, which was created by Albert Pellaton in 1950. Far more efficient than the majority of movements of its time, it’s new architecture allowed energy to be transferred from the bi-directional rotor to the mainspring in a manner that had not been created yet, and so the cal. 8541 is the direct predecessor to IWC’s modern movement architecture. Indeed, this was also the last generation of in-house movements that IWC would use before sourcing their movements from ETA and Jaeger LeCoultre. Offered as “Calatrava-killer”, the ref. 809A is a luxurious and understated mid-century dress watch that packs a serious punch of horological heritage and history.

Watch is in overall excellent condition. The yellow gold case shows some light scuffs and marks, while the case back features a well-defined presentation engraving and a hallmark on the underside of the lug. The silver dial has a few light surface marks, and the gold hands show some light patina. It is fitted with a brown leather strap and a gold-plated pin buckle.

A timeless design powered by a movement that had a profound impact on IWC and watchmaking as a whole, the ref. 809A is a watch that vintage collectors dream of with its under-the-radar nature and refined elegance.