Dive Into the Luxury Watch Market IWC
IWC Luxury Watch Market
Established in 1868 as the IWC International Watch Co. AG based in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, IWC Schaffhausen continues to strive as one of the top swiss-made luxury watch companies to date.
Over 150 years ago, American watchmaker Florentine Ariosto Jones decided to leave the leading watch company in America to create one of the finest watchmaking companies known around the world. While Jones was with E. Howard & Co., the Swiss watch industry started booming. Jones wanted to be one of the first to cross innovation between modern American timepieces and master Swiss watchmaking.
Once the company established its first hydroelectric plant Schaffhausen, they began crafting some of the finest calibers the world had ever seen with the help of modern technology and the hydropower provided by the River Rhine. As the first watch manufacturing company in northeastern Switzerland, leadership was taken over from Jones once he returned back to America.
Luxury Watch Market IWC
The Rauchenbachs family took the leadership of IWC for Jones. When IWC released their first Pallweber system timepiece, this was the first time the world had seen a wristwatch with the hours and minutes displayed digitally.
IWC later created one of the first ladies’ wristwatches the world had ever seen. This 64-caliber women’s pocket watch included lugs on the watch case that held the watchstrap. Early in the game, IWC was a step ahead.
Today, IWC is recognized around the world for their iconic Pilot watches. The majority of IWC’s watch models consist of modernized versions of older IWC watch models or renditions of classic watch models that got IWC recognized. Continue reading to learn more about some of IWC’s most popular watch collections.
IWC Pilot/Aviation Watch Models
Starting off with what they’re known for, IWC’s variety of aviation watches is nearly endless. This wide range of Pilot watches are divided into five categories which go as follows:
- Classic
- Spitfire
- Top Gun
- Le Petit Prince
- Antoine de Saint Exupery
A collector’s favorite for IWC, the Pilot’s Watch Mark XVII, is admired because of its intricate 35111 caliber that holds a 42-hour power reserve. This anti-magnetic watch has a whopping 40mm case, easy to read Arabic numeral dial, a date window at 3 o’clock, a black luminescent dial, sapphire convex glass with an anti-reflective coating, and a soft-iron inner case that allows the watch to be anti-magnetic.
For those who prefer to go big or go home, the IWC Big Pilot collection has an even larger model called the Heritage. This automatic watch model has an outstanding 46.2mm case with a built-in light and gorgeous titanium case.
Weighing less than 150 grams, the Heritage, like the Mark XVII, also has a soft-iron interior making it anti-magnetic, an anti-reflective sapphire glass, and a date window. IWC took inspiration from the classic Big Pilot’s watch caliber 52 when designing the Heritage; a vintage style was achieved when IWC added the brown calfskin watch band to the titanium lugs.
IWC Portugieser Collection
The IWC Portugieser collection is another one of IWC’s most desired collections. These watches consist of mechanisms that contain complications such as a chronograph function, annual calendars, and perpetual calendars.
A crowd favorite in the Portugieser collection, the Portugieser Chronograph is considered one of IWC’s more all-inclusive watches because of its smaller 41mm case size. This smaller case size is considered more universal due to its ability to flawlessly sit on all kinds of wrist sizes. This Chronograph watch contains a 69355 caliber and is admired for its Feuille hour and minute hands, its Arabic numeral hour markers, and tasteful black alligator strap.
Another popular Portugieser model is the IWC Portugieser Annual Calendar. This model displays the month, date, and day of the week at the 12 o’clock register. A unique feature of this timepiece is the amalgamation of the annual calendar complication with a 7-day caliber. IWC designed this watch to have the arrangement of the date windows so that its read in an American style format, the stainless steel case measures 44.2mm, and the dial is silver plated.
Luxury Watch Market IWC Portugieser Perpetual Calendar
Now, the last model we will speak on in this collection is the IWC Portugieser Perpetual Calendar. This watch may be one of the most complicated IWC has made. On the dial, one is displayed with a day, date, month, year, and a double moon phase display for both northern and southern hemispheres.
Crafted in the 1980s with only 80 individual parts, this IWC Perpetual Calendar was designed to have a silver-plated dial and a platinum case. IWC promised that their in-house made 52615 caliber is so precise that once adjusted, if the watch is continuously running it should stay accurate for 577.5 years which is when the moonphase would have to be reset.
Luxury Watch Market IWC
When it comes to owning an IWC watch, one should know it’s pretty much like having money in the bank. Whenever you’re looking to buy an IWC, sell an IWC, repair an IWC, or trade in an IWC, you always want to make sure you’re dealing with experts.
Finding a reputable luxury watch and jewelry buyer/seller can become overwhelming, especially when it comes to luxury swiss watches such as IWC. Its vital one does accurate research about a luxury watch and jewelry dealer prior to buying or repairing their watches with them.
At Gray and Sons Jewelers in Miami beach, clients can rest assured they’re in good hands. For over 41 years, Gray and Sons Jewelers has been handling the needs of all Luxury watch market IWC and luxury jewelry. We know the ins and outs of all things having to do with the luxury watch market IWC. Call or visit us to learn more about how we can help you understand the Luxury watch market IWC.