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IWC Automatic (Ref. R819A) Blue Dial, 1970s — view 1 of 6
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

IWC Automatic (Ref. R819A) Blue Dial, 1970s

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
IWC (maker)
Date
1970s
Country of origin
Switzerland
Object type
Wristwatch
Stock no.
IWCR819A
Credit line
Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (IWCR819A)
Catalogue title (original)
1970s IWC Automatic (Ref. R819A) Blue Dial (English)

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Record summary

Catalogued by Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles (stock number IWCR819A), this is a wristwatch by IWC, made in Switzerland, dated 1970s. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) of its Wristwatches collection. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.

Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.

Catalogue description

Dealer description — Craft & Tailored

IWC's cal. 854 or 8541 in-house movements were initially introduced in 1964 and received widespread recognition when IWC utilized them in their premier Ingenieur line of watches. Other than the Ingenieur the cal. 854/8541 were used in a wide variety of different offerings from the IWC brand for its robust design and reliability. This particular IWC Automatic ref. R819A in stainless steel is simply stunning with a no-nonsense design. The sleek tonneau case and dial design pair excellently with the utilitarian stainless steel material. This watch makes for a highly reliable daily wearer, that is designed to last. SPECS Stock # IWCR819A Brand IWC Style Automatic Model R819A Serial 198XXXX Size Men's Material Stainless Steel Dial Blue Millimeters 36 Bracelet 2pc Leather Strap CASE & BRACELET The excellent case has seen a very light polishing in the past and shows strong lines and finishing with honest signs of use. The case retains its original IWC "fish logo" crown. The case back shows some light watchmaking marks. The watch comes supplied on a 2pc handmade leather strap. DIAL & HANDS The blue, applied logo dial is simply gorgeous and features appropriate signs of age which enhances the vintage aesthetic perfectly. The dial does show some light spotting and patina around the lume plots. All of the lume plots remain intact, under U.V. light inspection the lume plots display light degradation throughout. The original tritium hands have aged to a charming creamy coloration and exhibit no degradation when inspected under U.V. light. ACCESSORIES None. The watch is in perfect working condition, additional service history is unknown.

Historical context

Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)

Seiko's Astron begins mass quartz timekeeping; traditional industries contract sharply.

Quartz and digital watches transformed the market after 1969. Swiss employment collapsed, Japanese and Hong Kong production soared, and the Swatch (1983) helped the Swiss industry recover; mechanical watches survived as luxury goods.

Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Modern Mechanical Horology

Atlas type guide

Automatic (self-winding) watches

Self-winding watches use the wearer's motion to wind the mainspring. Abraham-Louis Perrelet and Breguet made 'perpétuelle' pocket watches with oscillating weights in the late eighteenth century, but the principle only became practical in the wristwatch. John Harwood patented a bumper automatic in 1923; Rolex's Perpetual rotor (1931) winding in one direction, and later bidirectional rotors (Eterna, Felsa Bidynator), established the modern form. Micro-rotors (Universal Genève, Buren) and peripheral rotors made automatic watches thinner.

What to look for

  • A semicircular rotor turning 360° over the movement, or a 'bumper' weight that rebounds between springs.
  • 'Automatic', 'Perpetual' or 'Self-winding' on the dial.
  • A sealed screw-back case, since automatic watches are wound less often by the crown.

Dating clues

  • Bumper automatics: 1923–c. 1955.
  • Full rotors: from 1931 (Rolex); widespread after c. 1950.
  • Micro-rotors: from 1954–1958.

General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.

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