Brand story

IWC unveiled the first Special Pilot’s Watch in 1936. The Big Pilot’s Watch followed 4 years later and was the ultimate deck watch. In 1948, the Schaffhausen watch manufacturer supplied the Mark 11 to British Royal Air Force, where it remained in service for almost 40 years. The cockpit-instrument look of these three iconic watches inspires the design of classic pilot’s watches to this day. The IWC Pilot’s Watch family is divided up into five distinct lines. The classic Pilot’s Watches are instantly recognizable thanks to their black-and-white dials and the triangular index at “12 o’clock”. The shimmering metallic dial on each Spitfire watch is reminiscent of the fuselage of their legendary namesake. Watches in the TOP GUN collection feature a classic dial and a black ceramic case with push-buttons and a crown made from titanium, while the TOP GUN Miramar line sports authentic military-style design cues. The “Antoine de Saint Exupéry” and “Le Petit Prince” special editions pay tribute to the life and work of the French author and pilot.

In the late 1930s, two Portuguese businessmen ordered wristwatches with the precision of marine chronometers from the International Watch Co. The first “large wristwatch” with a pocket watch calibre was very much ahead of its time. In 1993, this model celebrated its comeback, and was now known as the Portugieser. The Portugieser line established the trend towards the larger wristwatches so popular in the watch industry today, and due to its complex watchmaking technology is an icon in the world of haute horlogerie. Watch connoisseurs appreciate the imposing size of these timepieces as well as the clearly organized dial with its characteristic railway-track-style chapter ring and Arabic numerals. The Portugieser line has always been defined by IWC-manufactured movements and sophisticated complications. The minute repeater, rattrapante or split-seconds hand and in-house movements with a 7- or 8-day power reserve certainly impressed upon their respective debuts. The most exclusive and complicated mechanical watch ever made by IWC is the Portugieser Sidérale Scafusia. This model marks the most outstanding moment so far in the history of the Portugieser family.

In 1984, IWC unveiled the simple “pocket-watch-style wristwatch”, which was inspired by the Lépine pocket watch and went by the name “Portofino” and became one of the Schaffhausen-based manufacturer’s most successful models. The former fishing village of Portofino has for decades been the embodiment of the relaxed lifestyle in southern Europe and the carefree Mediterranean mentality. The classically elegant Portofino is a perfect reflection of this way of life. The watch family famed for its refined simplicity now includes sophisticated timepieces with ingeniously designed complications and in-house movements and features models with an 8-day power reserve, large date display or monopusher. With their classic dials, Roman numerals and feuille hands, Portofino watches are an expression of understatement and good taste. The 37-millimetre watches make the Portofino line from IWC Schaffhausen equally attractive to women and men who prefer a slightly smaller and more luxurious timepiece. Diamond­set models combine understated design with a touch of luxury.