International Watch Company’s History in Five Watches

Tom Brady and Lewis Hamilton wears an IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Top Gun Mojave Desert. Photo: Manny Hernandez

Ariosto Jones, a Florentine, was the spark that ignited the development of the IWC label. He was a designer and engineer from the United States who decided to go to Switzerland and create the “International Watch Company” in 1868.

While hunting for the ideal place in Switzerland to establish his business, he discovered Schaffhausen, a region with a long history in the watch industry. After establishing his business, it quickly gained a reputation and produced the first Jones Calibre after its creator.

After IWC introduced the initial timepiece with a mechanical display of the hours and minutes in 1885, they kept up this pattern of the swift invention. They have since maintained their position as one of the leading watch labels in the market because of their dual history and manufacture. As a green business that strives to expand while keeping the area where it all began, they take great pride in its dedication to resource conservation.

In addition, IWC timepieces are characterized by their creative production methods and superior Swiss artistry, much like the company’s foundation. The attention to detail displayed by these luxury watches is directly related to the innovative concepts and new variants the company keeps producing. Even though many of their designs are straightforward, this showcases the elegance of the style as well as the excellence of each part IWC makes. Moreover, IWC creates elegant and recognizable designs at the pinnacle of horological brilliance and accuracy.

Below is a brief tour of IWC’s collection:

1. IWC Portuguese

The IWC Portuguese is a multifaceted timepiece that honors the company’s rich history in Schaffhausen. Reference 325 marked the beginning of the series, which served as an example for later editions of Portuguese pieces. Following the Portuguese wristwatch from the 1930s, IWC created a limited edition in the Portuguese collection in 1993. Since then, such IWC Portuguese chronograph variants have been issued with a handful of watch accomplishments and always combine with the aspect of being stylish, huge, and eye-catching.

Thus, the well-known Portugieser collection may be recognized for its size and characteristic design features. These timepieces also have bold Arabic numerals, elegant feuille (leaf-shaped) indexes, and charter bands formed like a railroad track. Additionally, IWC adds minute transmitters, perpetual calendars, and other sophisticated, top-of-the-line complexities to contemporary Portugieser variants.

The prime minister of Canada since 2015, Justin Trudeau, is wearing a 43mm IWC Portuguese Regulator in stainless steel with a crocodile leather strap and a silver dial. Photo: Getty Images

2. IWC Da Vinci

A drawing by Leonardo Da Vinci served as the initial inspiration source for the Da Vinci version in 1985. The Renaissance architect created a round bastion with water swales separating the circular defense rings. The earliest and the most recent Da Vinci models all adhere to this distinctive style. In all of the Da Vinci series variants, concentric spheres provide a beautiful dial design and accommodate a multitude of complexities.

IWC’s Da Vinci series is its most ornate and lavish offering. The Perpetual Calendar is the Da Vinci line’s most recognizable model in history. Kurt Klaus, a professional watchmaker, created and constructed a perpetual calendar system intended to be placed in front of a Chrono movement.

American actor Mahershala Ali was wearing a 42mm IWC Da Vinci Chronograph Edition “Laureus Sport for Good Foundation” (a part of the money when a watch is sold goes to charity) in 2019 when he won his second Oscar for best supporting actor in the movie “Green Book”. He also won an Oscar for “Moonlight” in 2017. Photo: Getty Images

3. IWC Ingénieur

Ingénieur is the collection of ICW of sporting or racing timepieces. IWC architects strive to create watches that are tough enough to endure heavy impacts and inclement weather while creating Ingénieur versions.

The line is notable for its vast range of cutting-edge materials, including advanced ceramics frequently used in racing. IWC’s love of precise engineering served as the inspiration for the initial Ingénieur. The firm intended to develop an extraordinarily robust timepiece while simultaneously pushing the boundaries of accurate timekeeping. As a result, the original Ingénieur featured strong resilience to stress, water, and temperature variations, as well as strong electromagnetic field protection.

IWC continuously enhanced the aesthetics and performance of the Ingénieur, breaking a global record for anti-magnetic timepieces in the process.

IWC Ingenieur Gold

4. IWC Pilot

IWC invented the enduring “cockpit instrument design” for this line, which is now typical of all pilot timepieces. Such watches have a distinctive design, but they are also highly useful in addition to being fashionable.

Pilots can swiftly view, adjust, and change settings on their timepieces while in the air. These pieces are also simple to operate even when donning flight glasses and protective gloves, thanks to their big, clearly indicated dials and huge crowns.

In addition, this line of models is designed to be durable and suitable to be carried on deck even on the riskiest flights. The organization thoroughly evaluates new designs for safety from electromagnetic fields, pressure, temperature, and shock.

In 1936, the original “Special Pilot’s Watch,” made specifically for civil pilots, was availed. IWC made it extremely temperature tolerant, working between -40 C and 40 C. Its anti-magnetic escapement and movable bezel for noting take-off times were additional characteristics helpful to pilots.

IWC would eventually provide service pieces for Royal Air Force pilots. From 1949 to 1981, British air force troops and individuals from various Commonwealth countries were given these “Mark 11 Navigator” wristwatches.

American actor Bradley Cooper, was in this photo from 2019 during the 91st Academy Awards, wearing a piece unique 46mm 18k gold case IWC Big Pilot “Le Petit Prince Bradley Cooper” with a blue dial. The watch was sold at auction for $75,000.00 USD and all the money were donated to charity, which was the purpose of the sale. Reference: IW500923 Cooper, who is one of world highest paid actors, has been nominated for various awards, including eight Academy Awards and a Tony Award, and has won two Grammy Awards and a BAFTA Award. His films have grossed $11 billion worldwide. Photo: Getty Images

5. IWC Aquatimer

Without a diving timepiece, a watch brand isn’t truly a watch brand. Perhaps, for this reason, IWC unveiled the Aquatimer in 1967. the Aquatimer is the dive wristwatch from IWC Schaffhausen. Both divers and non-divers alike adore this IWC diving watch line. It is also among the timepieces that draw in people searching for a dash of timeless style and a splash of refinement.

Since its introduction in 1967, the IWC Aquatimer timepieces have been popular all over the world. Moreover, the watches in this line come with intricate elements, such as the split minute index, the automatic depth gauge, and the external or internal rotational bezel.

With time, IWC significantly improved the Aquatimer’s water resistance. The company currently provides 100-200 bar versions of deep-sea divers and expert diving 12-20 pressure resistance options.

Similar to the Ingénieur, IWC has recently introduced a wide variety of limited version Aquatimers. These acknowledge the collaborations between IWC and groups that encourage advancements in marine engineering as well as conservation.

IWC Aquatimer

Conclusion 

The best justification for IWC Pilot timepieces’ continued popularity since their initial debut is that they truly demonstrate that the possibilities are endless. IWC keeps innovating these timepieces with advanced materials and features. In fact, this is the reason why the IWC Pilot’s capacities may exceed those of its competitors.