If there is just one definitive list of the most reputable and popular Swiss watch brands in the world, the International Watch Company Schaffhausen would certainly belong to it. This company, known as IWC for short, is a Swiss watch brand with an American identity since an American named Florentine Ariosto Jones, an American watchmaker from Boston, established this company in Schaffhausen in Switzerland in 1868, making this watch brand older than Rolex but younger compared to other Swiss brands like Omega and Patek Philippe.
But despite this, the company had released several watch families since its founding. This watchmaking firm is famous for making pilot watches, especially when it first created its Pilot watch in the 1930s. Here are some of the other IWC watches that you should consider if you are looking for a tool watch that will go with your suit and tie.
1. IWC Big Ingenieur Chronograph
The Ingenieur watch line is famous for two things. The first is that its design was first conceived to be simple yet classy to give tribute to the 1950s, where engineering reigned supreme. The other thing that made it famous is its former designer, Gerald Genta. He was famous for designing the Royal Oak for Audemars Pigue as well as the Nautilus for Patek Philippe. His redesign of this timeless watch was revamped once more with the release of the IWC Big Ingenieur in 2009. IWC also released a limited edition variation of this watch called “DFB” to honor its partnership with the German Football Association. This limited edition had many similarities as well as few differences, so this will be perfect for you if you are a soccer fan.
The DFB edition of the Big Ingenieur Watch has red markings on the watch’s dial for 45 minutes (which comprises one-half of a soccer game), +5 minutes for the stoppage, and +15 minutes for the half-time interval. The DFB watch was also said to be produced and given to members of the German national football team, which is why you should see the DFB logo on the sapphire case back of the timepiece. But regardless of the football team you support, you will appreciate this watch if you are a fan of the sport. But all versions of the Big Ingenieur have a 45.5 watch case, a unique watch dial in black and white colors, an in-house flyback chronograph movement, and a register on the 12 o’clock combining both the chronograph hours and the chronograph minute counters.
2. IWC Ingenieur Double Chronograph
Ingenieur is the French word for engineer or someone who works on machines and engines, and this name is appropriate for a line of watches inspired by IWC’s passion for engineering. This is one reason why another Ingenieur watch, the Ingenieur Double Chronograph, is included on this list. One of the most striking things about this watch is the use of titanium, a light but powerful element, in the watch’s case. IWC was the first watch manufacturing firm in the world to use titanium for its bracelet as a response to the sudden changes in gold prices which affected the entire watch industry. Titanium is not just a durable and lightweight material, but also hypoallergenic enough to be used on sensitive skin, which makes the Ingenieur Double Chronograph a perfect watch for all men.
Aside from the satin finish on the watch’s titanium case, the Ingenieur Double Chronograph also highlights five screws on the watch’s bezel coated with diamond-like carbon or DLC. With a sapphire glass cover on both sides of the watch, and equally durable watch strap, and a water resistance of up to 12 ATM, the Ingenieur Double Chronograph is a watch made for all kinds of conditions, be it tough or casual.
3. IWC Portofino Chronograph
The IWC Portofino watch series is named after a beautiful Italian coastal town located on the Italian Riviera, famous for its breathtaking views as well as its association with several celebrities. This watch family was first released in 1984 and they were advertised as luxury pocket-watch-style wristwatches, and for sure they look like one. The IWC Portofino is no exception to this, as it looks like a sleek and chic chronograph and a stylish, classic dress watch at the same time. The Portofino Chronograph has a watch case diameter of 42 mm made from stainless steel as well as a day-date complication and three well-proportioned subdials.
The Portofino Chronograph also runs using a self-winding 75320 caliber in-house movement with a 44-hour power reserve and Roman numerals on the watch’s dial instead of Arabic numerals. To finish it off, the Portofino Chronograph also comes with a steel Milanese strap, which makes this chronograph a good watch to mix with your best clothes, regardless of what they are.
In Conclusion
Of course, the list of best IWC watches for both men and women does not and should not end here, as the company offers a lot of fine, exquisite watches that will match almost every style and preference. But more than being a manufacturer of beautiful, luxury timepieces, IWC prides itself in its elaborate craftsmanship that has been tested through time as well as its desire to continuously innovate to further cater to its loyal client base. IWC may not have the most illustrious advertisers, but their watches’ durability and attractiveness is already a brilliant marketing point for this Swiss watch brand with an American flavor.
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