IWC Schaffhausen watches

The history of the IWC Schaffhausen brand

In 1868, the American watchmaker and businessman Florentine Ariosto Jones left Boston for Switzerland and founded the “International Watch Company” in Schaffhausen. His visionary dream is to combine modern American manufacturing technologies with the craftsmanship of Swiss watchmakers to create the best pocket timepieces of the era. In this way, it not only lays the foundation for IWC’s unique engineering approach, but also initiates the centralized production of mechanical watches in Switzerland.

In its 150-year history, IWC Schaffhausen has distinguished itself for being able to create functional, ingenious, robust and easy to use complications; in particular chronographs and calendars.

A pioneer in the use of titanium and ceramics, IWC specializes in the production of technological cases made with cutting-edge materials, such as titanium aluminide and Ceratanium®. By privileging the principle “form follows function” over aesthetics, the timeless creations of the Swiss manufacture embody the dreams and ambitions of the wearer.

In the new Manufakturzentrum, which opened in 2018, IWC Schaffhausen brings together the traditional watchmaking tradition with the most modern production methods and technologies. In the production of components and cases, the latest generation machineries guarantee maximum quality and precision. The assembly of the in-house movements, on the other hand, requires careful manual work. Only thanks to the expert hands of the watchmaker does the mechanical heart of the watch begin to beat.

IWC purchases materials responsibly and takes action to minimize the impact on the environment, creating inherently sustainable timepieces built to last generation after generation. The company is proud to train its future watchmakers and engineers and to offer an excellent working environment for all employees. IWC also collaborates with organizations that work for young people and children around the world.

The IWC style

Ever since its foundation IWC has proven its passion for the art of watchmaking with every one of its collections along with its innate pioneering spirit, both values that are found in its watches, whether to be worn every day, the sports watches and the ones with the most sophisticated complications on offer by any Watchmaker.
The IWC collections – Pilot’s Watches, Portugieser, Ingenieur, Aquatimer, Da Vinci and Portofino .- boast a long and lasting tradition: its engineers, over the course of the last four generations, have always been engaged in researching and making prototypes that could reflect IWC’s watchmaking expertise in all its different guises. To these celebrated collections one also has to add the special timepieces such as the Grande Complication and the IWC Vintage Collection.

The IWC Pilot watches collection

IWC’s Pilot Watches are famous for being very accurate, technically very advanced and with a cockpit style that has made them the aviator’s watch of choice.
They are inspired by the design of on board instrumentation, with luminous indicators on a very paired down dial with a black background and very visible hands and the large numbers which are still to this day classic elements found on aviator watches.

orologio collezione Pilot’s watches IWC Schaffhausen

The IWC Portuguese collection: a style icon

The Portugieser is one of IWC’s oldest and most famous watches.
In the Thirties two Portuguese businessmen commissioned a wristwatch from IWC that was to have the accuracy of the Navy’s chronographs. Those “large wristwatches” turned the world of watchmaking on its head by contributing to the success of the large format that is so much appreciated today in this sector.
The design of the Portugieser collection features very large dials, sombre Arab numerals, thin sword hands and railroad minute design.
Front view Watch Portuguese IWC Schaffhausen

The IWC Portofino collection: unsurpassed elegance

For thirty years now it has stood as a guarantee of the success of the Schaffhausen production.
These timepieces hark back to the Seventies, when the Lépine pocket watch was first presented and became the point of reference for this line of watches.
The Portofino collection stands out for its very paired down and classical lines, a design that, in the 38 mm version, is perfectly suited even for a woman’s wrist.

Front view Watch Portofino IWC Schaffhausen

The Ingenieur collection

The Ingenieur collection of watches embodies IWC’s passion for technology and innovation. Since 1995 the Ingenieur’s unmatchable design has stood out for its rugged sporting look and its fascination with technology.
The sporting style is underlined by the materials used, which are usually employed in car racing, like ceramics and titanium.
Front view Watch ignegneur IWC Schaffhausen

The Aquatimer collection

A collection that accompanies everyone who loves to meet the challenges posed by oceans and seas.
IWC Schaffhausen has over 50 years’ experience in the development and production of professional underwater watches.
The new Aquatimer collection has a bracelet quick-change system (an IWC patent) that makes changing from the steel bracelet to the rubber strap or vice versa extremely simple.
Front view Watch acquatimer IWC Schaffhausen

The Da Vinci Collection

With over fifty years of tradition to work with, the Da Vinci has always been in step with the times and appealed to enthusiasts for its original design and its top flight complications.
Its sober design, featuring large Arab numbers, thin sword hands and the recessed inner circle, harks back to the iconic Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar of 1985, which in turn was inspired by the work of Leonardo da Vinci.
The curved moving lugs, that are part of this collection’s DNA, enable the integrated straps to wrap around even the slightest wrist, making the Da Vinci particularly appealing to a female audience.

Maintenance

A clock has an internal mechanism that is made up of many cogs that are constantly moving and coming into contact. Every IWC watch is carefully assembled by expert watchmakers, then deeply inspected and tested to ensure it meets demanding requirements concerning quality and precision. By registering to My IWC, it is possible to extend the International Limited Warranty to 6 years compared to the standard 2 years.


Warranty Probus


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    WATCH SERVICING

    We offer a complete package of services covering every operation your watch may require.
    Servicing, which essentially means a thorough overhaul and repair of your watch, involving the complete dismantling of the watch and its internal mechanism and repairs to all components that are essential to the watches mechanical operation.
    Regulation and demagnetisation, to solve erratic behaviour by your watch. These operations are quick to perform if the mechanisms are in good condition.
    Battery changing, done by taking the required precautions, seeing as the operation, albeit simple, does mean opening the watches' back.
    Case and bracelet polishing, required to get the watches' steel or gold to gleam once more.
    Repairs or replacement of bracelets and other aesthetic watch parts, even with the support of specialist goldsmits.
    Strap replacement, which includes restoration of original buckles that may have lost their sheen over the years.
    Personal engravings, for special inscriptions on the watch
    Pressure testing for water resistance, free and advisable every aWe offer a complete package of services covering every operation your watch may require. Servicing, which essentially means a thorough overhaul and repair of your watch, involving the complete dismantling of the watch and its internal mechanism and repairs to all components that are essential to the watches mechanical operation. Regulation and demagnetisation, to solve erratic behaviour by your watch. These operations are quick to perform if the mechanisms are in good condition. Battery changing, done by taking the required precautions, seeing as the operation, albeit simple, does mean opening the watches’ back. Case and bracelet polishing, required to get the watches’ steel or gold to gleam once more. Repairs or replacement of bracelets and other aesthetic watch parts, even with the support of specialist goldsmits. Strap replacement, which includes restoration of original buckles that may have lost their sheen over the years. Personal engravings, for special inscriptions on the watch Pressure testing for water resistance, free and advisable every as summer approaches!

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