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IWC

International Watch Co., called IWC (or IWC Schaffhausen), is a luxury watch company based in Switzerland. IWC is the only large watch manufacture in eastern Switzerland (all other brands are in western Swiss regions).

IWC Schaffhausen was founded 1868 by the U.S. watchmaker Florentine Ariosto Jones to merge the craftsmanship of Switzerland watchmakers with the engineering skills from the U.S. to manufacture movements and timepiece parts for the USA. IWC is unique among similar companies for keeping detailed records for every watch produced since 1885. Since 1885, caliber, materials used and cases are tracked. Younger IWC watches are shown in the records with reference number, delivery date and the name of the authorized dealer. Every IWC collector can request this information for all watches older than ten years. IWC says it can service and repair all watches produced since 1868. IWC Schaffhausen movements in more affordable watches and chronographs (IWC Portuguese Chronograph) are from ETA. Non-ETA IWC calibers are: Caliber 5000, Caliber 8000, pocket watch movements. Notable watch models include the Aquatimer, Ingenieur, Portuguese, Da Vinci, Portofino as well as Pilot’s Watches.

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Aircraft Maintenance: Taking Apart the IWC Big Pilot’s Watch 43

This article was originally published in the March/April 2022 Issue of the WatchTime print magazine. Photos by Marcus Krüger. IWC reduced the size of its iconic Big Pilot’s Watch by 3 mm, cleaned up the dial and installed a new in-house movement. Does this innovative model make the grade? We took it apart to find...

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Jun 7, 2023 by Jens Koch

Sponsored: BlumSafe – A Watch Security Solution Unlike Any Other

Affordable built-in safes provide convenient security, display, and watch winders that can be added as your collection grows.

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Jun 7, 2023 by WatchTime

FEATURE

Dive Watches in Depth: A Dive Watch FAQ

"How water-resistant does it need to be?" "How does a depth gauge work?" We answer your FAQs about dive watches: learn about water resistance, diving bezels, depth gauges, and more in this feature from the WatchTime archives.

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May 28, 2023 by WatchTime

IWC Debuts Formula 1 Inspired Chronograph

IWC became the official engineering partner of the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula 1™ Team in 2013. Now celebrating ten years of partnership, the Swiss luxury brand presents the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula 1™ Team watch with a “Miami Pink” rubber strap. The bold hue is a nod to the colors of Ocean Drive....

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May 9, 2023 by Sabine Zwettler

Sponsored: Adding Versatility in Size, Citizen Debuts 37mm Promaster

Citizen has mastered its creation of water-resistant timepieces in the decades since the debut of the Parawater in 1959, followed by the release of the Promaster collection in 1989. Gaining renown over the years, the Promaster collection is a flagship of Citizen’s dive models, balancing complex functionality with streamlined design. In its latest development of...

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Jun 5, 2023 by WatchTime

WATCH REVIEW

Change of Course: Reviewing the IWC Pilot’s Watch Timezoner Chronograph

IWC’s Pilot's Watch Timezoner Chronograph was developed to be an ideal travel companion. A quick spin of the bezel suffices to show a new time zone, and a built-in flyback chronograph makes this an exceptional timepiece at a reasonable price. We give it a closer look in this feature from the WatchTime archives.

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May 6, 2023 by Martina Richter

Flying Colors: IWC Introduces Pilot’s Watch Chronograph TOP Gun “Oceana”

At this year’s Watches and Wonders, IWC Schaffhausen unveiled its first 41mm Pilot’s Chronographs in ceramic, the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 TOP GUN “Oceana”. The newcomer features a case made of blue ceramic which was inspired by the color of the U.S. Navy’s working overalls and developed in collaboration with Pantone. It takes to the...

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May 5, 2023 by Sabine Zwettler

FEATURE

Touching the Past: Six Modern “Retro” Watches and the Historical Pieces That Inspired Them

When retro-inspired watches are modeled after specific predecessors, fans of mechanical timekeeping can “grasp” design history. In this feature from the WatchTime archives, we take a look at six watches that awaken a longing for the past.

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Apr 22, 2023 by Alexander Krupp

Watches and Wonders 2023: IWC Unveils New Ingenieur Automatic 40 Collection

At this year’s Watches and Wonders, IWC Schaffhausen introduced the latest generation of the Ingenieur. Originally released in 1955, the latest execution of this legendary watch takes inspiration from Gérald Genta’s Ingenieur SL from 1976. With his unique artistic signature, Genta (1 May 1931 – 17 August 2011) succeeded in lending the Ingenieur a new,...

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Mar 29, 2023 by Sabine Zwettler

WATCH REVIEW

All Fired Up: Reviewing the IWC Pilot’s Watch Automatic Spitfire

This article is from the WatchTime archives and was first published in 2020.  IWC launched a new Spitfire squadron in its collection of pilots’ watches at that debuted in 2019. A self-winding movement from the new 32000 family of manufacture calibers debuts inside the case of the Pilot’s Watch Automatic Spitfire. We tested one in...

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Mar 25, 2023 by Martina Richter

Gentleman Sailor: Testing the IWC Portugieser Yacht Club Chronograph

IWC launched the Portugieser Yacht Club in 2010 into the sporty yet elegant world of sailing. For 2020, the nautical chronograph model has a classic look and a steel bracelet upgrade. We give it a thorough review in this feature from the WatchTime archives. The new IWC Portugieser Yacht Club Chronograph is a watch you...

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Mar 5, 2023 by Alexander Krupp

IWC Introduces a Portugieser Automatic 40 with Salmon Dial

IWC introduces a new version of the Portugieser Automatic 40 with a stainless steel case and a magnificent salmon-colored dial. The popular colorway is enhanced by refined sunray finish, making it all the more striking as the backdrop of the signature Portugieser design. The design is characterized by a railroad-style minute scale, a prominent small seconds...

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Mar 1, 2023 by Sabine Zwettler

Flight Instructor: IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41

This article was originally published in the January/February 2022 Issue of the WatchTime print magazine. Photos by IWC and Olaf Köster. IWC has been developing and building watches for pilots for 85 years. Originally inspired by cockpit instruments, these wristwatches are still regarded today as robust, precise, functional and reliable. And they have long since ceased to...

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Feb 14, 2023 by Martina Richter

IWC Expands Portofino Collection With New Complete Calendar and Automatic Pointer Date

IWC, long known for its prowess in the field of complex calendar watches, is introducing two new models to its growing Portofino collection. The Portofino Complete Calendar and Portofino Automatic Pointer Date each introduce a new complication to the series, the complete calendar and the pointer date. The new complete calendar complication consists of 69...

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Feb 13, 2023 by Sabine Zwettler

FEATURE

Flying Ace: Tracing the History of the IWC Big Pilot’s Watch

IWC's Big Pilot’s Watch became an instant classic when it was re-released in 2002. But its history stretches much further back in time. In this feature from the WatchTime archives, we explore the Big Pilot and its many evolutions over the decades.

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Jan 15, 2023 by Jens Koch

TIMEPIECE TIMELINE

The Evolution of the Men’s Wristwatch: A Decade-by-Decade Guide

World War I coincided with the breakthrough of the wristwatch. New and trailblazing designs followed in each subsequent decade. From the WatchTime archives, here are our highlights, from the beginning of the 20th Century to the present day.

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Jan 14, 2023 by Ruediger Bucher

No Date, No Problem: Six Watches Without Date Displays

While a date display is usually regarded as one of the most popular complications, some purists are opting more and more for harmony and symmetry on their dials by choosing a watch without a date window. Here are six notable examples in our latest story from the WatchTime Archives. Back to the Forties: IWC Big...

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Dec 31, 2022 by Alexander Krupp

2022 Year in Review: Flying High With 5 New Pilot Watches

Continuing our round up of some of the most important watches launched this year, today we look back at more exciting and innovative releases that broke onto the scene in 2022. Aviation is the theme for today’s recap with a host of memorable novelties on review today. So please fasten your seatbelts and place your...

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Dec 27, 2022 by Caleb Anderson

Green Rambles: The Underestimated Importance of a Good Bracelet

Some of you might recognize this: for years, you have been admiring a certain watch, and when you finally get it, you are very excited only to realize after a couple of weeks that you are not wearing it as much as you should. This might have nothing to do with the watch itself but...

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Dec 24, 2022 by Martin Green

IWC Portofino Perpetual Calendar: The Return of A Small(er) Mechanical Marvel

It is no secret that IWC has a thing with perpetual calendars. It was the genius of Kurt Klaus, the man who developed the legendary Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar, that this was established. Ever since, this complication has played an essential role in the brand’s collections. That makes it so unique that the brand has...

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Dec 12, 2022 by Martin Green

Mr Porter and IWC Present Limited-edition Big Pilot’s Watch 43 “Mr Porter Edition 1”

Mr Porter and IWC Schaffhausen created a special edition of the Swiss brand’s iconic Big Pilot’s watch. Limited to 500 pieces, the timepiece is a faithful interpretation of the original easy-to-read cockpit-instrument design born in the 1940s. It features a reduced 43mm bronze case with a titanium case back and a signature oversized conical crown. The case,...

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Nov 18, 2022 by Sabine Zwettler

TIMEPIECE TIMELINE

10 Highlights in the History of the Dive Watch

In the beginning, dive watches were pure tools that helped keep divers on time and alive. Today they’re something else: fashion statements, conversation pieces, rugged companions for a trip to the beach or pool. Our Timeline: "Dive Watches Through the Decades," traces the history of the dive watch from its start in the 1920s, with the invention of the first truly water-resistant cases, to 2014.

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Nov 5, 2022 by WatchTime
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