====== IWC 81 ======
Calibre **IWC 81** was the first [[automatic]] watch movement from [[IWC]].

===== History =====
IWC had been working on an automatic watch movement since at least 1944, when [[Albert Pellaton]] of [[Le Locle]] became Technical Manager for the company. Their first design was granted a Swiss patent on June 14, [[1946]] but was the [[bumper automatic]] system and was never produced. On June 7, [[1950]], IWC applied for a second automatic movement patent. This featured a [[pawl]]-based system and would come to be known as the **[[Pellaton]]** winding design. This solution is particularly reliable and shock-resistant and, with two pawls "pulling" the barrel, extremely efficient as well.

Cal. 81, introduced in [[1950]], introduced this winding system to the public. It was a [[small seconds]] movement and was shortly joined by [[IWC 85|Cal. 85]] with [[central seconds]]. Both were replaced in subsequent years by [[IWC 852|Cal. 852]].


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**Description:**
  * [[Automatic]] movement
  * [[Pellaton]] winding

**Functions:**
  * Hours, minutes, [[small seconds]]

**Data:**
  * 16 [[jewels]]
  * 18,000 A/h
  * [[Power reserve]] 42 hours

**Production period:**
  * Successor [[IWC 85]]
  * [[1950]]-[[1951]]
</WRAP>

{{tag>Movements Automatic_movements Pellaton_movements IWC_calibres}}