THE ESSENTIALS

MAKE: IWC
MODEL: 810A
YEAR: 1968
BOX/PAPERS: NO/NO
CASE DIAMETER: 35mm
CASE MATERIAL: 9CT YELLOW GOLD
BRACELET MATERIAL: LEATHER
MOVEMENT: AUTOMATIC

In 1944, IWC appointed Albert Pellaton as their new Technical Director. As the war drew to a close, the mindset in watchmaking shifted toward optimism and innovation. Pellaton wasted no time in tackling a major challenge: creating IWC’s first automatic movement. Several years later, the Caliber 85 series was introduced, featuring the now-iconic Pellaton winding system.

Unlike traditional gear-driven designs, Pellaton’s mechanism used a cam and pawl system to wind the mainspring in both directions of rotor motion. This innovation not only improved energy transfer but also enhanced long-term durability. To this day, the Pellaton system continues to power many of IWC’s flagship models—now updated with ceramic components to further reduce friction and wear.

The watch offered here is reference 810A, produced in both stainless steel and 9 ct yellow gold, as seen with this example. On the wrist, it embodies everything that makes vintage IWC so beloved: the 35 mm case wears elegantly, while the lower gold percentage has allowed the metal to oxidise over the decades into a soft rose-gold hue. The case remains in excellent condition, and the dial has aged to a rich champagne tone, accented by applied gold markers and the IWC logo.

The movement is a testament to the brilliance of the Pellaton system—it remains in superb health, running at 0 seconds per day with 320 amplitude and a 0.5 ms beat error. Vintage IWCs continue to be some of the most overlooked watches in the market, and this example is certain to put a smile on your face.