Name: IWC platinum case automatic (1961)
Brand: VAT FREE
SKU: VW145
Price: 3500.0 GBP
Availability: OutOfStock

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This is a 1960s International Watch Company automatic with a Japanese made platinum case. In the 1960s Isomura, who were the Japanese distributor for IWC watches, produced a small number of platinum cases for the Japanese domestic market. These cases were made in Japan in order to avoid the prohibitively high tariffs on importing platinum cases from Switzerland.

Platinum watch cases are extremely uncommon, especially for a man's watch. I understand that this is partly due to the inherent difficulties of working with the metal, but also I suspect because there is simply much less platinum refined compared to gold. The advantages of platinum for a watch case are that it is hard as a metal and resistant to scratching and so forth. The case of this watch shows the original brushed finish and the overall is in excellent condition.

IWC have a long history of horological excellence - they were founded in 1868 and have always aimed for the highest quality in their products. In the 1950s they developed and refined their first automatic movement - the calibre 85xx series. This movement is well respected, the great horological author Donald De Carle describes it in his book "Complicated Watches" as "a simple and ingenious system, well constructed and beautifully finished". Elements of the automatic winding system are still found in contemporary IWC watches.

The serial number of the movement dates it to around 1961, the movement is the calibre 8531, which features the addition of a date mechanism to the base 853 movement. This was IWC's flagship movement at the time and it is superbly constructed. The balance spring has a Breguet overcoil to enhance time keeping across different positions, along with Reed-type regulator, which allows for very, very precise adjustment of the time keeping.

The watch has been fully serviced and regulated, while the case has been cleaned by not re-polished. The watch is fitted with a nos vintage strap, which complements the watch wonderfully.

Case diameter (excluding winding crown): 35mm
Case material: platinum
strap width: 18mm
time keeping: grade A+

Order processing

We aim to dispatch all orders within 2-3 working days.

When your order is dispatched, your tracking details will be updated.

If you have opted for a custom engraving please allow an additional 1-2 working days.

If you are purchasing during a sale or a limited edition release, you can expect an email update with an estimated dispatch date if there any changes to the timeframe.

If you are in a hurry for your order, please email us. We'll try our best to prioritise your order.

Shipping guide for watches

UK: FREE DPD shipping, 1-2 working days
United States & Canada: FREE Fedex shipping, 1-3 working days
The EU: FREE DHL shipping, 2-4 working days or FREE Fedex shipping, 1-4 working days. To order to The EU, please visit our Euro website here (duties and taxes are included in the price of your watch).

Click here to see the full shipping guide for watches

Shipping guide for t-shirts

Our t-shirts are printed by us and shipped from our workshop in London. This means if you place an order for both a watch and t-shirt(s), they will be shipped together via an express service. Delivery times for these can be found here.

If you order a t-shirt without a watch, it will be shipped via a Royal Mail tracked service which usually takes a little longer. You can see an estimated timescale when you input your address at the checkout.

Shipping guide for watch straps

If purchased separately from your watch, watch straps will be shipped with Royal Mail 1st Class / International tracked shipping.

This takes 2-14 working days depending on location. You can see a more accurate timescale when you input your address at the checkout.

These delivery times are a guide based on the carriers terms of service, products may, in some unusual cases take longer to arrive. If this happens, please get in touch.

Return your watch for an exchange

We are happy to exchange unworn watches.

Fastening the watch will cause damage to the leather. If this is the case, we charge for the watch strap (or we can put the worn strap on the exchanged watch for free).

Please email us directly if you think your watch is faulty.

Return your watch for a refund

To return for a full refund, you have 30 days if purchased online. After this time we can offer an exchange if your watch hasn’t been worn.

If you purchased your watch in-store, we can offer an exchange or store credit only. This is because you’ve seen the watch in person and had the opportunity to try it on. Please let us know if you’re purchasing as a gift.

T-shirt returns and Exchanges

We recommend checking the measurements of our t-shirts on our size guide before placing your order, you can also check them here

However, if your t-shirt is faulty, we can offer an exchange or a refund. In this circumstance, please email us within 30 days of placing your order, with a photograph of the problem, as well as your order number.

To return other products (such as straps) please email us: info@mrjoneswatches.com to arrange this.

UK returns

1) Generate your free returns label here.

2) Print it off and stick it to your original packaging.

3) Take it to your local post office. Find your closest here.

(If you no longer have your original packaging, please ensure your watch is securely wrapped in bubble wrap / something similar to protect it in transit).

NB please include a short note describing the issue with the watch and your contact details.

EU and International returns

Please send the watch to this address:

Mr Jones Watches (repairs)
61 Dartmouth Road
London SE23 3HN
United Kingdom

Ensure the watch is securely wrapped in bubble wrap to protect it in transit.

Please include a note stating:

- the reason for the return
- a detailed description of the problem with your watch (if sending for repair)
- your email address and your order number
- remember to include your return delivery address, (so we know where to send the repaired watch)

We recommend you use a tracked service.

As the UK is no longer in the EU, you will have to fill in a Customs Declaration form (usually a CN22).

Please write in the description field "wristwatch, return for factory repair / refund , no commercial value."

This is essential otherwise an import duty will be levied which you will be liable for (there is no way for us to reclaim this charge).

Please note: we do not cover shipping costs for unwanted items, returned from outside of the UK. If you are returning a watch that is faulty we may be able to reimburse shipping costs if your watch is within warranty, please contact us ahead of sending in this instance.

IWC platinum case automatic (1961)