THE ESSENTIALS

MAKE: IWC
MODEL: 1822
YEAR: 1974
BOX/PAPERS: YES/NO
CASE DIAMETER: 37MM
CASE MATERIAL: STAINLESS STEEL
BRACELET MATERIAL: RUBBER
MOVEMENT: AUTOMATIC

It's no secret that we love vintage and neo-vintage IWCs here at Falco. Nestled amongst the plethora of vintage Rolexes on our website, you'll often find these wonderfully overlooked gems scattered throughout the collection. You needn't look any further than what we have here: the last of the original IWC Aquatimer line, the ref. 1822.

IWC introduced the Aquatimer in 1967 as its first-ever dive watch, marking the brand's entry into a world then dominated by the likes of Omega, Rolex, and Blancpain. Unlike the Submariner, Seamaster, and Fifty Fathoms, however, the ref. 812 wore its tool-watch credentials rather differently. It was unmistakably a diver, yet managed to look both sporty and elegant at the same time.

Around a year later, IWC introduced the ref. 816, featuring a cushion-shaped ESPA compressor case. The line was now offered with several dial colours, including red and blue, a feature that carried over into the final reference, the 1822. The present example is fitted with the classic black dial.

This particular watch has led a very easy life and had clearly not been opened for quite some time. As you can see from the caseback photograph, the original caseback gasket had liquefied into a gel-like substance, something we occasionally encounter on watches that have remained untouched for decades (naturally, this was replaced during the service).

Aside from a few minor handling marks on the case, the watch is in fantastic condition, with the dial and hands remaining completely unmarked.

The calibre 8541B has just been serviced and is running beautifully at +3 s/d, with 295° amplitude and a 0.2 ms beat error.

The watch still retains its original box, booklet, and period Tropic strap—a lovely, honest example of one of our favourite neo-vintage dive watches.