IWC Automatic 'Cal. 8541B' (Ref. 1872) Blue "Turler" Co-Signed Dial, 1970s

Dealer description — Craft & Tailored

Founded more than 150 years ago, the International Watch Company has grown to become one of the most recognizable Swiss watch brands on the planet. And one of the things they're especially famous for is their caliber 85 movement, which is widely regarded as one of the finest watch movements ever made. The cal. 85 was introduced in the 1950s and was the second automatic movement the brand ever made – it was also their first automatic movement with central seconds. That movement went on to birth multiple subsequent versions, including the cal. 852, 853, 854, and finally the 8541B, which beats inside this ref. 1872. Featuring a stout 36mm tonneau-style case with a lightly brushed finish and a gorgeous steely blue dial that's also co-signed with Türler, this particular IWC Automatic is simply stunning with a no-nonsense design that makes for a highly reliable daily wearer. A quick note about Türler: they were a Swiss jeweler established in 1883 by two brothers, Jean Henri and César Alexander Türler. The brothers made a name for themselves by offering their customers the newest and most exclusive Swiss watch brands at the time, including Omega, Longines, IWC, Vacheron Constantin, and Blancpain. After establishing themselves as one of the top retailers in Zurich, Switzerland, and with the prestige the Türler name carried, they started to cosign the dials of some of the watches they offered, not unlike other well-respected retailers at the time. These 20th-century Türler-cosigned watches are now desired by collectors for their rarity and the provenance they carry. SPECS Stock # IWC1872T Brand IWC Style Automatic Model 1872 Serial 21XXXXX Size Men's Material Stainless Steel Dial Blue "Turler" Millimeters 36 Bracelet 2pc Leather Strap CASE & BRACELET The excellent cushion-shaped case is believed to remain unpolished, displaying crisp chamfers and factory finishing throughout with honest wear present. The case retains its original IWC "fish logo" crown. The case back shows some minor watchmaking marks but is otherwise clean, with the factory engraved serial number still highly legible. The watch comes supplied on a two-piece handmade leather strap. DIAL & HANDS The dark, steel-blue dial is simply gorgeous with almost no signs of wear or age. The lume-free hour markers feature white enamel inlays that pop beautifully off the dark dial. Likewise, the hands also have inlaid white enamel that matches the dial perfectly. The IWC logo is applied at 12 o'clock for a three-dimensional feel, and the Türler co-sign sits just below the rest of the dial type. ACCESSORIES