| - | - |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1868 |
| HQ | Schaffhausen, Switzerland |
| Employees | ~1,100 |
| Revenue | Part of Richemont (Specialist Watchmakers: €3.77B) |
| Positioning | Professional pilot's watches, integrated-bracelet designs |
IWC (International Watch Company) was founded in 1868 in Schaffhausen, Switzerland by Florentine Ariosto Jones, an American engineer. Jones chose Schaffhausen for its Rhine hydropower and skilled workforce, combining Swiss craftsmanship with American industrial methods.
The Rauschenbach family took control in the 1880s. In 1936, IWC introduced its first Spezialuhr für Flieger (pilot's watch) with antimagnetic case and rotating bezel. In 1939, Portuguese watch importers commissioned a wristwatch with pocket-watch-grade precision — the Portugieser was born.
IWC developed the Pellaton automatic winding system in the 1950s, a bidirectional pawl-winding mechanism still used in modified form today. The brand was an early adopter of titanium and ceramic case materials.
Owned by Richemont since 2000. Main collections: Pilot's Watch, Portugieser, Ingenieur, Portofino. Steel models start around €5,700; complications and precious metals reach well above €40,000.
Watches
Pilot's Watch
IWC Pilot's Watch Mark XX
IWC Pilot's Watch Automatic 41 TOP GUN Lake Tahoe