IWC Aquatimer ref 812 rare "white / cream dial", late 1960s

Dealer description — Bulang & Sons

It may not be a surprise ; we love purpose build watches (or “tool watches “) - and today we a treat ! This ref 812 is IWC’s first “true “ dive watch .These watches were introduced in the mid 1960 s- a full decade later then watches From Rolex, Omega and Blancpain for example ! IWC thoughts about a dive watch were different ; As soon as you see the first Aquatimer, you know that the brand used the famous 37 mm Super Compressor case for the watch. Nowadays, when people think about dive watches, it is all about a unidirectional turning bezel with a large diving scale and accompanying markers. But the Super Compressor case, with its characteristic two crowns and internal rotating bezel, represents a different concept and aesthetic that many watch fans love ( we now we do !). The Super Compressor case was patented in 1956 by Ervin Piquerez SA, or EPSA as most people know it. The Swiss company produced the Super Compressor cases for roughly two decades before going out of business in 1975. During that time, many famous brands used the Super Compressor cases in their standard execution. Some brands used modified versions of the case as well. Among them were brands like , Enicar, Universal Genève ,Longines, Hamilton and Jaeger-LeCoultre and many more . There are for different variations of this watch ; the first one came with a black dial and a black inner bezel, and the second featured a black dial with a silver bezel. The third model came with a white dial and a silver inner bezel, and the last of the four came with a white dial and a black bezel. The white/silver model is a very rare one, but you can find the other three variations without any problems. This watch is from the rare white series and the white turned to a stunning even cream color ! The hour hand has been relumed but color wise still quite matching .The watch comes on its original rare IWC / Gay frères 7 row still bracelet with dive extension , stamped 2 68. The automatic movement is fully serviced by our watchmaker. Specifications: -IWC Aquatimer ref 812 -Steel 37 mm super compressor case -Rare white dial turned cream color -cal 8541 automatic -movement no 177xxxx / case no 180xxxx dating to the late 1960s -Double “Fish signed “ setting crowns -Gay Frères/ Iwc 7 row steel bracelet stamped 2 68 -Fully serviced by our watchmaker