Why This Watch Matters What do you get when you combine a fish logo crown and a chamois head inner clasp? This IWC on a Gay Frères bracelet, of course. The Full Story IWC is a brand we feel is still a bit under-the-radar relative to others in the vintage world, so we're pleased to offer this dress watch from the 1960s today. These simple, automatic IWC dress watches offer a ton of design chops and are often found in larger water-resistant cases. The ref. 648A we have here hits a lot of high notes with a clean overall aesthetic, a Gay Frères bracelet, and much, much more. Immediately noticeable when picking up the watch is the dial design. The silver sunburst finish is simple but gorgeous, consistent with what IWC loved to do in this era. The elegant script IWC logo at 12 and "AUTOMATIC" at six o'clock seem to be the go-to design elements for the brand at this time. The sizing of this text allows the rest of the design to do much of the talking. The applied baton markers at each hour are just the perfect size as well, not taking over the dial but still drawing attention. It's in a watch like this that you see how calculated a brand like IWC was back in the 1960s; every design choice is surgical. We also have to feature the movement. The caliber 853 ticking inside is based on the brand's proprietary Pellaton automatic winding system, developed by Albert Pellaton in 1950. This new self-winding architecture was considered revolutionary for its time, as it allowed energy to be transferred from the bi-directional rotor to the mainspring, a considerably more efficient solution compared to other self-winding movements of the era. Nearly 70 years since its creation, variations of the Pellaton self-winding system are still in use today in some modern IWC creations. This example is accompanied by an IWC-signed and Gay Frères-manufactured stainless steel bracelet that's dated on the clasp to the second quarter of 1968, aligning well with the case serial number. The bracelet really completes the look of this watch and is extremely comfortable on the wrist– as are most GF made bracelets from this period. The Fine Print Maker: IWCModel: N/AReference: 648AYear: 1960sCase No: 1769609Movement No: 1723959Material: Stainless steelDimensions: 36mm diameter; 10.6mm thicknessCrystal: PlexiglassLume: N/ACaliber: IWC, self-winding, caliber 853Bracelet/Strap: IWC, stainless steel, bracelet by Gay Fréres with "IA" end links (7.25 in / 184 mm)Lug Width: 18mmBox/Papers: No What We Love And What You Should Know Things We Love: - Larger case size- Fish logo on crown- "Non-lume" dial and hands- Gay Frères made IWC bracelet Things To Know: - Scratches on case and bracelet The watch is in overall excellent, honest condition. The case is strong with sharp lines on the bezel and lugs. There are some light scratches and indentations on the case, notably on the caseback, something most likely caused from the case being opened. There are a few scratches on the top of the lugs. The silver dial has developed a light patina throughout. The dial has a few tiny marks that are difficult to spot without a loupe. The hour markers and hands have developed some patina and match very nicely. The watch has retained its IWC "fish" crown. The crystal has some scratches. The bracelet is in good condition with some scratches and areas of imperfection. There is a bit of stretch between the links, but it wears tight. The end-links are stamped "IA," a code for IWC from Gay Frères. The dial, case, crown, and movement are signed by IWC. This watch was photographed on a 175mm/6.9inch wrist.
