IWC - Five Reasons You Should Own An IWC Watch!

Since they first combined cutting edge American engineering with Swiss craftsmanship in 1868, IWC (“International Watch Co.”) has continually pushed the boundaries of the luxury watch industry.

Did you know, for example, they made the first digital watch in 1885, and 80 years later they were the first to produce titanium bracelets? Read on for five reasons why a piece from these timepiece trailblazers should be in your collection...

IWC IS A TECHNICAL INNOVATOR

Unlike their luxury rivals, IWC don’t spend huge amounts on marketing and celebrity endorsements - they have a history of dedicating financial resources to making watches that surpass all technical expectations. The Grand Complication wristwatch, for example, contained 659 parts and was the most complex watch available upon its release in 1990. (The original Grand Complication pocket watch produced in 1890 had over 1,300 parts!) The Aquatimer - IWC’s highly lauded diving watch - was the first to be water resistant to 2,000 metres, and the groundbreaking perpetual calendar mechanism of the Da Vinci is accurate for 500 years.

IWC IS PERFECT FOR TRAVEL

IWC team the aforementioned technical innovation with pieces that are conducive to international lifestyles. The Big Pilot is based on the “Special Pilot’s Watch”, which was first produced for aviators in 1936. The 55mm case, chunky crown and high-contrast luminous face were perfectly suited to the needs of pilots, and they remain a fashionable choice for those of us who prefer to sit a little further back in the aircraft. The Portuguese range, on the other hand, is named for the seafarers who first explored the oceans, and popular models such as the Yacht Club Automatic are highly suited to the demands of even the most tempestuous of seas.

IWC IS A GREAT INVESTMENT

If you’re looking for a piece with a value that will creep up every year, you can’t go far wrong with a Rolex. However, thousands of Submariners are made every year, and for very similar money you could own an IWC Aquatimer, which is produced in much more limited qualities. Both will become valuable collector’s pieces, but the latter will be much rarer.

IWC IS REMARKABLY WELL DESIGNED

Not nearly as ostentatious as some of their Swiss counterparts, the understated design of IWC watches has traditionally been dictated by function. They’re no slouches when it comes to aesthetic detail though - for over 20 years, the company designed watches with the help of an engineer named Ferdinand Porsche. His other design work included the iconic Volkswagen Beetle, and he also founded a car company that still produces beautiful automotive works of art today. (Take a closer look at his surname to guess which one.)

IWC IS A SIGN OF GOOD TASTE

On the subject of Porsche, allow us to quote from the owner’s manual of a Porsche 968: "Dear owner, judging by the car you have chosen, you are a motorist of a special breed, and you are no novice when it comes to automobiles." Much the same can be said for an IWC - it shows discerning taste, an appreciation of quality craftsmanship and an eye for an investment that will last generations.

See IWC for more articles on the brand.

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