The International Watch Company (IWC) and its classic models

The International Watch Company (IWC) and its classic models

Although not as well-known as Rolex or Omega, IWC watches are highly appreciated by highly-sensitive men and women, from businesspeople to fashion stylists. Its diverse lineup, including the Portuguese, is an excellent match for both business and casual wear. In this issue, we introduce the appeal and popular models of IWC watches with a stylish presence!

About IWC

Founded in 1868, the watch brand IWC, officially known as the International Watch Company, is a Swiss watch brand that has been in business since the 1920s. The reason why English is used in the brand name, which is unusual for a Swiss watch brand, is because the founder, Florentine Ariosto Jones, was an American watch engineer. From the very beginning, the company introduced a number of innovative products, such as the “Jones Caliber” with its unique slow-rate counter and the world’s first pocket watch with a digital display. In recent years, the brand has undergone a series of full model changes of its flagship models such as the ” Portuguese “, the ” Portofino “, and the ” Da Vinci “, all of which have achieved remarkable progress.
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IWC changed the culture of watchmaking with its revolutionary business style

Mr. Jones’ goal was to combine the superior craftsmanship for which Switzerland is famous with modern American industrial technology. His style of bringing craftsmen together in one modern factory was unacceptable to the Swiss, who had been making watches in their homes and small workshops since the 17th century. As it turned out, however, Jones’ business plan was to change the way watchmaking had been done in the past. The new style of work was not limited to craftsmanship; IWC was one of the first companies in Switzerland to introduce electricity-driven automation.

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What is Schaffhausen, the place where IWC watches are made?

IWC’s headquarters, which has been its home since 1875, was built on the site of an orchard once owned by the All Saints’ Abbey in Schaffhausen. Schaffhausen is far from the French-speaking part of Switzerland, which used to be the center of watchmaking, and could be called an isolated island on land.
However, Schauhausen was also home to a tradition of fine watchmaking, including one of the greatest masterpieces in the history of watchmaking, the astronomical clock in Strasbourg Cathedral. And the nearby Rhine River, with its modern factory facilities and hydroelectric power plants to power the various machines, made it the perfect location for Jones to realize his vision of combining advanced American manufacturing technology with the craftsmanship of the Swiss watch industry.

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In 2005 and 2008, the east and west wings of the company were extended. In 2005 and 2008, the east and west wings of the company’s headquarters were extended, and for the first time ever, IWC opened a watch museum at its headquarters. The public is now able to tour IWC’s headquarters.

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IWC and H. Moser: The Unexpected Connection Between Two Major Brands

Mr. Johann Heinrich Moser, a businessman whom Mr. Jones, the founder of IWC, met when he established the brand in Schauhausen. He arranged the factory for Mr. Jones and helped him to found IWC. He is the founder of the watch brand H. Moser & Cie. Today, Schauhausen in Switzerland is known for IWC, but Mr. Moser was a watchmaker with his grandfather in Schauhausen even before IWC was founded. He contributed greatly to the development of the watch industry in Schauhausen. Later, Mr. Moser achieved great success as one of Russia’s leading luxury watch brands, but the H. Moser brand itself was scaled down after the October Revolution of 1917. However, in 2005, the bicentennial of Mr. Moser’s birth, he broke his long silence and released an original model. It is an interesting cause and effect to think that Mr. Jürgen Lange, who served as the technical director of IWC, was involved in this revival.

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Six fascinating watch collections from IWC

IWC’s wristwatches are offered in six lines: Portuguese, Da Vinci, Pilot’s Watch, Portofino, Ingenieur, and Aquatimer, and are characterized by model changes that take place in turn each year. The roots and appeal of each collection are introduced here.

The “Portuguese” is the most successful IWC watch ever

The flagship model ” Portuguese ” was first presented in 1939 at the request of a Portuguese watch merchant. IWC responded to the difficult request by adopting a pocket watch movement ” for a wristwatch that would be accurate enough to withstand long voyages. A “large high-precision wristwatch” that defied the standards of the time. In terms of design, IWC was also ahead of its time, adopting a simple and elegant round case at a time when the Art Deco style square wristwatch was at its height. Naturally, this product, which completely ignored the needs of the market, was not accepted by the times, and by the early 1980s, only a few hundred of this model had been produced.

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The Portuguese did not really become IWC’s flagship model until 1993. In particular, the Portuguese Chronograph, launched in 1998, with its “blue hands” and “gold hands,” is still a favorite of fashionistas today.

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IWC’s famous “Da Vinci” timepiece that marks time forever

Leonardo da Vinci made great achievements in the development of mankind. One of his countless inventions is said to have been the prototype of the watch movement. Inspired by Da Vinci’s innovative thought patterns, the ” Da Vinci ” was introduced in 1985 and became a landmark in watchmaking history for its astonishing complication that displays the calendar precisely 500 years in the future.
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In 2007, the model was redesigned with a square-shaped case. The Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month is the world’s first flyback chronograph with perpetual calendar, digital leap year display and digital month and date display in large numerals.
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IWC’s ” Pilot’s Watches “, pioneers in aviation watchmaking

IWC and Breitling are two of the most popular brands when it comes to pilot’s watches, but in the sense of being the first penguin, IWC has the upper hand.

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The highly legible design of the dial has been carried over to the current ” Mark XVIII “, which has evolved dramatically in terms of performance, including antimagnetic resistance and a 42-hour power reserve.

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IWC’s ” Portofino ” is a port of Italy’s ports for the dapper man

The Portofino is the kind of IWC watch that fashionable businessmen like to wear. This timepiece, inspired by the “Portofino Port”, a popular resort area where the rich and famous from all over the world gather, is based on a graceful Lépine pocket watch.

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Based on a pocket watch design, the Mark XVIII is equipped with a 90-degree rotating dial and moon phase. The revolutionary pocket watch-style wristwatch ” Portofino ” was born in 1984.

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The calm and minimalist sense of style has been carried over to the current model, which is one of the most popular watches in IWC’s collection as a wristwatch for sophisticated and mature men.

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IWC’s Ingenieur, a genuine antimagnetic watch

The “Ingenieur” was introduced in 1955, a year of rapid economic growth. With the rapid spread of electrical appliances, the timing of these devices had an impact on the accuracy of wristwatches. The Ingenieur, with its excellent antimagnetic performance, was favored by engineers and other professionals at the time.

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The Ingenieur collection had long been on hiatus since the 1980s, but was revived in 2005. In 2013, the collection underwent a full model change in partnership with the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One team. While retaining the traditional design and antimagnetic performance of the previous models, which were said to have been inspired by divers’ helmets, the new models have been transformed into high-precision models with shock resistance and a power reserve of over 40 hours.

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IWC’s diver’s watch ” Aquatimer ” combines functionality and design

The ” Aquatimer “, IWC’s first diver’s watch, was created in 1967 in response to the diving boom of the 1960s, and attracted attention for its water resistance to 20 bar and the functionality and operability of its rotating inner bezel, which displayed dive times.

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Since then, through repeated model changes, the Aquatimer has alternated between inner bezel and outer bezel models. However, with the 2014 model change, the Aquatimer was finally designed to combine the advantages of the inner bezel with the ease of use of the outer bezel. The rotating bezel with a save system makes it easy to operate even with diving gloves or cold, chilly hands, and the minute-by-minute accuracy of time setting has dramatically improved operability.

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Santoni and IWC collaborate on a new watch

Many popular IWC models feature custom-made belts made by Santoni. The combination of the ” Pilot’s Watch Automatic 36 “, the smallest of IWC’s current series, and the alligator belt made by Santoni is the epitome of elegance. The combination of the Pilot’s Watch Automatic 36, the smallest in IWC’s current series, with a Santoni alligator belt is the ultimate in elegance.

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The ” Portofino Automatic Day & Night 37 ” from the luxury collection, with its sparkling diamonds and mother-of-pearl, is paired with a dark blue alligator strap from Santoni for the ultimate synergy.

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Precision and beauty in IWC movements

IWC is a manufacture that produces its own movements: the Cal. 52000 series, launched in 2015, features IWC’s exclusive Pellaton mechanism with a modern balance with Breguet balance spring that produces 28,800 vibrations per hour. 7-day power reserve with two The watch is equipped with two barrels for a seven-day power reserve and a rotor with an aesthetically pleasing 18K red gold medallion. In addition to the high functionality of the watch, the see-through back allows the wearer to admire the movement in all its splendor.

IWC’s classic models

IWC “Portuguese Chronograph

This is the most popular model in the Portuguese line, which is a royal collection. Inspired by the nautical world, the Time Graph is equipped with a chronograph that can measure 1/4th of a second. The precise and stylish design, with its appliquéd Arabic numerals, fine scale, and sleek, slender leaf hands, is extremely popular with men and women alike.” The “blue hands and blue belt” model or the “gold hands and black belt” model is famous for making buyers scratch their heads over whether to buy the “blue hands and blue belt” model or the “gold hands and black belt” model.

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IWC ” Portuguese Automatic 7 Days

This highly functional model with its in-house Cal. 52010 movement follows the classic design of the original ” Portuguese ” models first created in the 1930s, but is a quality, robust masterpiece with a 7-day power reserve. The beautiful movement with Côtes de Genève finish can be admired through the see-through back.

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IWC ” Portuguese Yacht Club

The sporty Portuguese is equipped with the Cal. 89361, which offers a 68-hour power reserve. Exclusive equipment includes luminescent hands and indices and a chronograph with flyback function. The design is also outstanding, with a slate-colored dial with a sunray pattern and a flange with slightly raised edges, all in the same color.

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IWC ” Portofino Black

This classically styled three-hand watch with three hands, a discreet date display, and an ample 40-hour power reserve is a masterpiece of tasteful simplicity. The 40mm case is also a fine art, with the rounded edges evenly distributed to give the watch a slimmer appearance than its size.

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IWC ” Pilot’s Watch Mark XVIII

This model is a legitimate heir to IWC’s proud lineage of aviation watches. By returning to the traditions of the earlier models, rather than the somewhat clunky design of the older models, the new model has an authentic appearance that makes it hard to believe that it contains high precision. They are popular for their robustness, temperature resistance and water and magnetic resistance, and require little maintenance.

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IWC “Aquatimer Automatic

IWC’s signature diver’s watch, fully redesigned in 2014, is popular for its easy-to-read dial and ease of operation. It has the luxury of both an inner and outer bezel. In addition, the watch is water resistant to 300 meters for authenticity.

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