IWC Schaffhausen is a Swiss watch manufacturer that has been in business for approximately 153 years. In Schaffhausen, the firm established its first hydroelectric facility, integrating Rhine River hydropower and modern technology to produce high-quality watch movements. They were the only watchmakers in the region of northeastern Switzerland. Since 2000, the business has been a part of the Swiss Richemont Group. IWC is well-known for its titanium materials and pilot watches. The majority of the brand’s timepieces are either re-issues of originals from decades ago or re-interpretations of iconic designs that helped place IWC in the spotlight. Here are the primary collections of the brand, along with some of its most prominent designs.
Ingenieur Collection
In the 1950s, the initial Ingenieur Automatic watch was launched. The Ingenieur Automatic retains the traditional design of broad index markers, a black alligator strap, and a silver-plated or black dial. The owner highlighted the benefits of the black dial version in this Watchuseek conversation, such as the pleasant linked band, good value, and readability in low light.
There are additional chronographs in this range, such as this stainless steel variant. The Ingenieur Chronograph is powered by an IWC-manufactured 69375-caliber movement with a power reserve of 46 hours. This 42.3m model offers a chronograph function with hours, minutes, and seconds, a see-through sapphire case back, and a date display at 3 o’clock. This is a great timepiece for engineers, as the term implies.
Pilot’s Watch Collections
The brand offers a diverse selection of pilot’s timepieces organized into five groups: Top Gun, Classic, Antoine de Saint Exupéry, Spitfire, and Le Petit Prince. The Pilot’s Watch Mark XVII, an automatic, self-winding stainless steel wristwatch with a 42-hour power reserve and a 35111 caliber, is among the Classic versions. The dial is huge at 40mm as it is a pilot’s wristwatch.
The watch is rather simple with its black luminous dial with bold, visible Arabic number markers, and a date display at 3 o’clock. It also has an anti-reflective coating and sapphire convex glass on both sides. It also features a soft-iron inside case that shields the wristwatch from magnetic fields.
IWC creates timepieces based on Antoine de Saint-“Le Exupéry’s Petit Prince.” The first one is the Pilot’s Chronograph Le Petit Prince, with the 79320 caliber and chronograph hours, minutes, and seconds function. The second is the Big Pilot’s Watch Le Petit Prince, a 46.2 mm timepiece with the 52110 calibers. Lastly, the Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Chronograph, with an 18 ct 5N gold case, and 89630 caliber, also has a perpetual moon phase, date, date, month, and year. The Big Pilot’s Watch Le Petit Prince and Pilot’s Chronograph Le Petit Prince have an engraved Le Petit Prince, while the Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Chronograph has a sapphire-glass back.
Portugieser Collection
The IWC Portugieser range includes timepieces with chronograph functions, perpetual calendars, and annual calendars. One of its most prominent designs is the Portugieser Chronograph, which has a surprisingly small size of 41mm and would look great on a variety of wrist sizes. The Feuille hands and attached Arabic number markers, as well as a black alligator strap and an IWC-manufactured 69355 caliber, are among the most noticeable characteristics.
The IWC Portugieser Annual Calendar IW503501 contains a calendar at 12 o’clock showing the month, day, and date. The pairing of an annual calendar with a 7-day caliber is one of the features that distinguish this timepiece. The calendar is divided into three windows that are organized as per the American date system. This is a 44.2mm automatic timepiece with a stainless steel case, silver-plated dial, and sapphire glass.
The IWC Portugieser Perpetual Calendar IW503406 also contains a month, date, day, and year indicator, as well as a double moon phase exhibit for the north and south poles. This is a stunning clock with a silver-plated dial and a platinum case that was created in the 1980s using 80 unique parts.
Portofino Collection
The Portofino series by IWC comprises timepieces that are attractive and uncomplicated, portraying a laid-back demeanor. This series, which is available in men’s and women’s versions, is for users searching for a timepiece that is clear and compact.
The IWC Portofino Automatic IW356502, a 40mm watch with a stainless steel case, date display at 3 o’clock, and silver-plated dial, is one of the classic and exquisite versions. It sports a silver-plated dial, alligator strap, and 35111 calibers with a power reserve of 42 hours. The case’s rounded edges make the watch appear thinner, making it ideal for people searching for something plain.
Da Vinci Collection
The dials on the IWC da Vinci models are basic and minimalistic. These timepieces are meant to resemble the brand’s classic da Vinci models from the 1980s. The eye-catching da Vinci Automatic IW356601 is among the most popular and exceptional versions. This 40.4mm watch has a 35111 caliber movement with a power reserve of 42 hours and bold, readable applied Roman numeral markings. The series includes timepieces with strap horns, which enable the watch to fit snugly around the wrist.
There is also the IWC da Vinci Automatic 36 IW458310, a 36mm automatic model with 3511 movements. It has a silver-plated dial and an 18K 5N gold case and bracelet for those searching for something more luxurious. The watch’s back is inscribed with “The Flower of Life,” a tribute to Leonardo da Vinci’s diligent pursuit for mathematical laws for elegance and proportionality.
Aquatimer Collection
Presently, there are only 9 timepieces in this series. The Aquatimer is the brand’s series of water-resistant timepieces, as the title indicates. The Aquatimer Automatic Edition “Expedition Jacques-Yves Cousteau” IW329005 is the tiniest version in the line. This timepiece, patterned by the classic Aquatimer introduced in 1967, has a blue dial powered by SuperLumiNova and a stainless-steel casing, enabling the user to read the watch even in very dark situations. The watch’s pressure resistance is 300 meters, making it ideal for deep and thrilling diving.
Takeaway
IWC is a well-known watchmaker with over 153 years of professional experience. Many believe the brand to be dependable and of very good quality, as well as one of the top luxury watch brands on the planet often compared to other famous brands such as Omega, Rolex, and Patek. And being compared with those brands means a big deal.
