IWC, or the International Watch Company, is a luxury Swiss watch brand that has a rich history dating back to its founding in 1868. Here is a brief overview of the history of IWC.
The early years: 1868-1880
IWC was founded in 1868 by an American watchmaker named Florentine Ariosto Jones. He moved from Boston to Switzerland to start his own watch company with the aim of combining American manufacturing techniques with Swiss craftsmanship. IWC’s first factory was located in Schaffhausen, a small town in the German-speaking region of Switzerland.
The middle years: 1880-1970
During this period, IWC continued to innovate and grow. In 1885, the company introduced its first pocket watch with a digital display, which was a groundbreaking innovation at the time. In the 1930s, IWC introduced its first pilot’s watch, which was designed for use by aviators. This led to the creation of the iconic IWC Pilot’s Watch collection, which remains popular to this day.
In the 1950s, IWC introduced the Ingenieur watch, which was designed to withstand strong magnetic fields. The company also launched the Aquatimer dive watch, which was designed for use by professional divers.
The modern era: 1970-present
In the 1970s, IWC was acquired by the Swiss luxury goods company Richemont. Under Richemont’s ownership, IWC has continued to innovate and expand its product line. In 1999, IWC introduced the Portugieser collection, which features large, elegant watches with a distinctive design. In 2018, the company celebrated the 150th anniversary of its founding with the release of a limited-edition Jubilee collection.
Today, IWC is known for its high-quality, innovative watches, and its commitment to sustainability. The company has implemented a number of environmentally-friendly initiatives, including using recycled materials in its watches and reducing its carbon footprint.
