{"product_id":"iwc-r814a-coussin-acier-brosse-monobloc-cal-8541-bracelet-iwc-1960s","title":"Vintage IWC Watch 8541 Stainless Steel — Cushion Monocoque Silver Dial (1970s) ","description":"\u003ch2\u003eIWC Schaffhausen steel: the automatic watch with monocoque case and Pellaton calibre\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis watch is signed \u003cstrong\u003eIWC — International Watch Co., Schaffhausen\u003c\/strong\u003e, one of the most respected Swiss manufactures, founded in 1868. Unisex, it can be worn equally well by a man or by a woman with a taste for fine mechanics. Its \u003cstrong\u003ebrushed steel cushion case\u003c\/strong\u003e, of \u003cstrong\u003emonocoque\u003c\/strong\u003e construction, has no separate screw-down caseback: the movement is housed through the front, an approach that originally ensured excellent water resistance and gives the case band its full, continuous lines. It measures 36.5mm (37.6mm with the crown) for a Lug-to-lug of 36mm and a thickness of 11mm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003esunburst silvered dial\u003c\/strong\u003e radiates from its center, animated by applied baton indexes hollowed out with a black insert and outlined by a railroad minute track. The IWC, International Watch Co and Schaffhausen signatures occupy the upper part of the dial, the Automatic mention the lower part; the date window sits at 3 o’clock. The hands echo the black insert on steel, while a fine central seconds hand sweeps across the whole. The dial bears the honest traces of time, described below.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInside beats the \u003cstrong\u003eIWC calibre 8541\u003c\/strong\u003e, one of the house’s most famous movements. It is equipped with the renowned \u003cstrong\u003ePellaton winding system\u003c\/strong\u003e, named after Albert Pellaton, IWC’s technical director, whose pawl mechanism was acclaimed as one of the finest automatic systems ever built in Switzerland. Breguet overcoil, shock protection, precision regulation: this is a high-calibre movement, remaining in production until 1990. The movement in this example has been serviced by our watchmaker.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn the wrist, the original \u003cstrong\u003eMilanese mesh\u003c\/strong\u003e, supple and dense, extends the cushion case into a decidedly seventies silhouette, at once sporty and dressy. It is a coherent all-steel ensemble, exactly as IWC conceived it at the time. The watch exudes solidity and mechanical sincerity, far removed from pieces that are merely decorative.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThree points to note\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe 8541 calibre with Pellaton winding is one of the great automatic movements of Swiss watchmaking: it is the heart of this piece’s value.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe case is monocoque: access to the movement is through the front, a technical particularity best entrusted to a watchmaker familiar with such constructions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe dial shows spots and pitting from moisture around its perimeter, visible upon close inspection. We disclose them with full transparency: this is an authentic piece that has lived, not a restored dial.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e→ \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/montres-iwc-vintage\"\u003eDiscover our vintage IWC watches\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e→ \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/montres-vintage-plus-2000\"\u003eSee our vintage watches over €2000\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTechnical characteristics\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBrand:\u003c\/strong\u003e IWC (International Watch Co., Schaffhausen)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eModel:\u003c\/strong\u003e Monocoque steel cushion case\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReference:\u003c\/strong\u003e R814A\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEstimated year:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1970s\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Switzerland\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGender:\u003c\/strong\u003e Men's and women's watch (Unisex)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMovement:\u003c\/strong\u003e Automatic, IWC calibre 8541, Pellaton winding, Breguet overcoil\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFunctions:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hours, minutes, seconds, date at 3 o’clock\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCase:\u003c\/strong\u003e Brushed monocoque steel (one-piece, without separate caseback), cushion shape\u003c\/li\u003e \n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 36.5mm (37.6mm with the crown)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEnd to end:\u003c\/strong\u003e 36mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThickness:\u003c\/strong\u003e 11mm (Crystal included)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLug width:\u003c\/strong\u003e 19mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCrown:\u003c\/strong\u003e Steel, original\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sunburst silvered, applied baton indexes with black insert, date at 3 o'clock, original\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHands:\u003c\/strong\u003e Steel baton hands with black insert, central seconds hand, original\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCrystal:\u003c\/strong\u003e Acrylic, in very good condition (8\/10)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBracelet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Steel, Milanese mesh, adjustable, original\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBuckle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mesh clasp, original\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCondition and warranty\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOverall condition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Good overall condition. Case sharp steel cushion case, movement serviced. The dial, however, shows oxidation spots.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater resistance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Not guaranteed (vintage watch)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAuthenticity:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lifetime guarantee\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMechanical:\u003c\/strong\u003e Serviced movement, 1-year warranty\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIncluded:\u003c\/strong\u003e Atelier Victor invoice, protective case\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNot included:\u003c\/strong\u003e Original box and papers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is the Pellaton winding system?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt is the automatic winding mechanism invented by Albert Pellaton, technical director of IWC from 1944 onward. Its pawl-based system converts the wrist's movements, in both directions, into winding energy with remarkable efficiency. It is universally regarded as one of the finest automatic systems ever built in Switzerland, and is central to the reputation of IWC's 85 series calibers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is a monocoque case?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA monocoque, or one-piece, case is machined from a single piece, without a separate screw-down case back. The movement is fitted and removed through the front, after taking off the Crystal and the bezel. This rarer construction originally offered better water resistance by eliminating a gasket. However, it requires the intervention of a watchmaker familiar with these watches for servicing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs the IWC 8541 caliber reliable?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, it is one of the great Swiss automatics. The 8541, with Pellaton winding and a Breguet balance spring, was produced from 1964 until 1990, a testament to the maturity of its design. It powered watches close to IWC's Ingenieur line and shared their chronometric qualities. The movement in this example has been serviced by our watchmaker and is guaranteed for 1 year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this IWC water resistant?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. Water resistance is never guaranteed on a vintage watch: even on a monocoque case originally designed to be so, the gaskets and the Crystal have aged. Avoid the shower, the pool, and the sea. A simple contact with rainwater, however, poses no difficulty.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow do you set the date on this IWC?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 8541 caliber has a semi-quick date change: by setting the crown to the setting position and advancing the hands around midnight, the date jumps quickly. Avoid adjusting the date between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m., the period during which the calendar mechanism is engaged.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e ","brand":"IWC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54326018965841,"sku":"#2HB3J1","price":1942.5,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0703\/8576\/2597\/files\/VD_04967.jpg?v=1785791894","url":"https:\/\/ateliervictor.co\/en\/products\/vintage-iwc-watch-cushion-monocoque-silver-dial-1970s","provider":"Atelier Victor","version":"1.0","type":"link"}