Value of pre-owned IWC watches in 2021
IWC Watches
Like many watch companies, IWC has its roots in Switzerland. However, the brand’s founder, Florentine Ariosto Jones, was in fact American. That pioneering American spirit continues to be a core part of the IWC brand today, a feat which has also made people wonder about the value of pre-owned IWC watches in 2021.
In 1936, IWC unveiled the first “Special Pilot’s Watch.” The model featured a rotating bezel with an arrowhead index, which allowed pilots to register take-off times. Three years later, the iconic Portuguese debuted. By 1940, the Special Pilot’s Watch was in such high demand IWC built upon the collection with the Big Pilot’s Watch. During WWII, IWC was also producing watches for military forces. One of their most notable contributions was a wristwatch designed for the British Army. It featured a unique engraving, “W.W.W.,” which stands for “Watch, Wrist, and Waterproof.”
Why history is important | Value of pre-owned IWC watches in 2021
IWC worked to keep momentum through the quartz era. Though they produced some models with quartz movements, they kept their focus on the brand’s watch-making production line. The brand introduced the classic Portofino collection in 1984, adding a quintessential dress watch to their offerings. During this decade, they also began experimenting with new materials. IWC created the first watch case constructed from titanium in 1980. Six years later, they employed a scratch-resistant and virtually unbreakable ceramic called zirconium oxide as a new case material.
Since the early 2000s, IWC has become a part of the iconic Richemont Group. With a new network and scourge of resources, IWC was able to revisit the production of past collections and continue to expand on their current offerings. By 2002, the brand had revived the beloved Big Pilot’s watch at the annual SIHH exhibition. In 2007, IWC secured a meaningful partnership with the advanced fighter weapons school, Top Gun. For the first time, the prestigious organization allowed the “Top Gun” name to be associated with a watch brand, and the IWC Top Gun was born.
2008 marked the 140th anniversary of IWC. This time, the brand launched an exclusive IWC Vintage Collection to honor the milestone. Then in 2015, the brand celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Portuguese with an all-new variation of the model. The models housed IWC’s newly designed 52000-calibre and boast annual calendar and digital calendar complications.
IWC Watches Investments are going up
Today, IWC continues to embody its founder’s spirit of innovation. In 2018, they unveiled a state-of-the-art online customization tool for the Ingenieur Chronograph. The launch marked the brand’s first foray into built-to-order watches, increasing their value ten-fold as a store of value for long-term investments. Still wondering where to start when determining the value of pre-owned IWC watches in 2021?
Glance at the fully fledged catalogue of IWC wristwatches at Gray & Sons if you’re looking to buy one. Their consignment division, on the other hand, Sell Us Your Jewelry, will offer top dollar for your bling if you’re looking to sell.