IWC Schaffhausen
About
IWC Schaffhausen is a Swiss luxury watch manufacturer founded in 1868 by American watchmaker and engineer Florentine Ariosto Jones in Schaffhausen, in the German-speaking region of northeastern Switzerland. The company is a subsidiary of Compagnie Financiere Richemont SA.
IWC is distinguished by its engineering-focused approach to watchmaking, producing robust, technically oriented timepieces. The brand's core collections include the Portugieser (large-format dress watches and chronographs), Pilot's Watches (aviation-inspired, including the Big Pilot), Portofino (elegant everyday watches), Aquatimer (diving watches), Ingenieur (anti-magnetic and sporty designs), and Da Vinci.
The company manufactures its movements in-house at its facilities in Schaffhausen, including proprietary calibers for chronographs, perpetual calendars, and tourbillons. Notable technical achievements include the perpetual calendar mechanism that automatically accounts for different month lengths and leap years, requiring no correction until the year 2100.
IWC has a long association with aviation, producing navigation watches for military pilots since the 1930s. The brand also maintains partnerships with organizations including the Antoine de Saint-Exupery Foundation, and has created special editions in materials such as ceramic, titanium, and ceratanium (a proprietary ceramic-titanium alloy).
IWC operates boutiques worldwide and sells through authorized retailers and its own e-commerce platform. Retail prices generally start at approximately $5,000 and extend to over $100,000 for complicated references.
IWC is distinguished by its engineering-focused approach to watchmaking, producing robust, technically oriented timepieces. The brand's core collections include the Portugieser (large-format dress watches and chronographs), Pilot's Watches (aviation-inspired, including the Big Pilot), Portofino (elegant everyday watches), Aquatimer (diving watches), Ingenieur (anti-magnetic and sporty designs), and Da Vinci.
The company manufactures its movements in-house at its facilities in Schaffhausen, including proprietary calibers for chronographs, perpetual calendars, and tourbillons. Notable technical achievements include the perpetual calendar mechanism that automatically accounts for different month lengths and leap years, requiring no correction until the year 2100.
IWC has a long association with aviation, producing navigation watches for military pilots since the 1930s. The brand also maintains partnerships with organizations including the Antoine de Saint-Exupery Foundation, and has created special editions in materials such as ceramic, titanium, and ceratanium (a proprietary ceramic-titanium alloy).
IWC operates boutiques worldwide and sells through authorized retailers and its own e-commerce platform. Retail prices generally start at approximately $5,000 and extend to over $100,000 for complicated references.
Luxury Watches
IWC Schaffhausen is an engineering-focused Swiss watchmaker producing robust, technically oriented timepieces. Core collections include the Portugieser, Pilot's Watches (including the Big Pilot), Portofino, Aquatimer, and Ingenieur. The brand manufactures movements in-house and is known for its perpetual calendar mechanisms and innovative materials including ceratanium. IWC maintains a strong association with aviation history.
Brand Details
Brand Tier
High Luxury
Price Range
$5,000 - $150,000+
Founded
1868
Headquarters
Schaffhausen, Switzerland
Parent Company
Richemont
