IWC Watches
As one of the world’s leading luxury watch brands, IWC Schaffhausen consistently pushes the boundaries of conventional design in order to create new and exciting collections. The brand effortlessly blends the American pioneering spirit with Swiss watchmaking traditions to create the perfect timepiece for any occasion. Modern IWC watches undergo rigorous testing using advanced machinery to ensure their incredibly high standards are always adhered to.
The History of IWC Watches
Some watch brands have a style that is truly inimitable, and this is especially the case with the International Watch Company (IWC). Ever since its inception in 1868, the brand has held a special place in the hearts of collectors and enthusiasts across the world, thanks to its striking designs and unmatchable quality.
IWC was founded by American engineer and watchmaker, Florentine Aristo Jones. An extremely talented and ambitious individual, Jones was already a deputy director and manager of a prominent Boston watch firm despite being only in his 20s. Despite this, he always harboured the desire to start his own business that would fuse state-of-the-art American technology with traditional Swiss craftsmanship. To achieve this, he set upon relocating to Switzerland, taking with him all the latest and greatest watchmaking machinery. Unfortunately, success did not come easily, with many well-established watchmakers being skeptical of his unorthodox business plan.
That was until Jones met experienced pocket watch manufacturer, Johann Heinrich Moser. Moser had recently set up a hydraulic plant in Schaffhausen, which used the nearby River Rhine to generate low-cost and reliable electricity to local businesses. This plentiful source of power was precisely what Jones needed, and so IWC finally found its home.
From the outset, IWC established its motto: “Probus Scafusia,” which is Latin for “good, solid craftsmanship from Schaffhausen.” The company came onto the watchmaking scene with a bang by introducing the world’s first digital mechanical pocket watches in 1885. IWC’s first wristwatches were launched in 1899, with the firm producing its first calibres specifically designed for wristwatches some 16 years later.
The year 1936 saw the release of one of IWC’s landmark collections, the Pilot’s Watches. With this range of timepieces, the brand pioneered the classic “cockpit instrument look” that is now commonplace amongst watches of this nature. The very first “Special Pilot’s Watch” was developed exclusively for civil airmen, while the brand later agreed to supply timepieces for the British Royal Air Force and other Commonwealth nations.
Some three years after the Pilot’s Watches, IWC released another important collection in the form of the Portugieser. Instantly recognisable by their large size and distinctive hallmarks, these timepieces boasted the high precision of marine chronometers. At the time, wristwatches were meant to be small and unobtrusive, so the Portugieser’s size really broke the mould. Such was its popularity that the collection was honoured with a limited edition model to celebrate IWC’s 125th birthday in 1993. More modern models regularly feature high-end complications such as perpetual calendars, tourbillons, and minute repeaters.
From 1959 to 1969, IWC released three more important collections: the Ingénieur, Aquatimer, and Da Vinci. The Ingénieur was inspired by the brand’s love of precision engineering, and was designed to push the limits of precision timekeeping. It is IWC’s range of sporty/racing watches and as such is a favourite amongst athletes and race car drivers. As the name suggests, the Aquatimer is the brand’s diving collection, which offers various grades of pressure resistance to suit both amateur and professional endeavours. An extremely handsome-looking watch, the Aquatimer is packed with essential features that make it beloved by diving enthusiasts. The Da Vinci collection, meanwhile, pays homage to the famous Italian artist. It launched with the company’s first Swiss-made quartz movement and later became equipped with an autonomous perpetual calendar, becoming the first wristwatch to do so in the process.
Launched in 1984, the Portofino collection is one of IWC’s most popular. Taking its name from the picturesque Italian fishing village, the design of their minimalist cases and its sleek look held wide appeal. This stylish collection continues to draw upon the “laid-back lifestyle of the Mediterranean” and remains beloved amongst watch enthusiasts the world over.
Second Hand IWC Watches from Blowers Jewellers
If you are looking for pre-owned IWC watches, you can rely on Blowers Jewellers to help. We are the destination of choice for enthusiasts and collectors alike, and are dedicated to assisting our clients with finding their ideal item of jewellery.
All of our second hand IWC watches come with a warranty of between twelve months to five years, and are available to be viewed at our boutique in Kingston Upon Hull or by appointment at our office in London’s Mayfair. Each unique timepiece has been hand chosen by a member of our team, so you can be totally confident you are dealing with products of the highest quality.
We are perfectly placed to assist with all aspects of your purchasing journey. If you are looking to part with your timepiece, you can do so with our generous part exchange service, or we can even buy your watch outright if you prefer. Whichever option you choose, simply provide us with a few details and we will respond with what we believe is the best possible price within 48 hours.
Over the years, we have cultivated a hard-earned reputation for our high-quality service and advice. We believe that purchasing your ideal item of jewellery, whether they are IWC watches or something entirely different, should be an extremely enjoyable and personal experience. This is why we will take the time to understand your style and requirements before recommending what we believe is the best option for you.
To find out more about how Blowers Jewellers can help, contact our team today or visit us in store. We are ready and waiting to assist.