IWC
Swiss
One of Switzerland’s major luxury watch companies was started by an American who saw the potential of bringing Switzerland’s superb watchmaking into the modern age through industrialized manufacturing and high-precision interchangeable parts. The New Hampshire–born watchmaker Florentine Ariosto Jones (1841–1916), who founded International Watch Company — known today as simply IWC — in 1868, was interested in “combining all the excellence of the American system of mechanism with the more skillful hand labor of the Swiss.”
Setting up the company with another American watchmaker, Charles Kidder, in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, Jones used hydropower from the River Rhine for his plant’s machinery. Rethinking watch design would lead to one of IWC’s early successes: the Pallweber pocket watch. Based on an 1883 patent by Austrian watchmaker Josef Pallweber, the watch employed numbered disks for jumping hour and minute displays, making it a pioneer in digital timekeeping.
After Johann Rauschenbach-Vogel took over the watch manufacturer in 1880, four generations of his family led IWC into the 20th century. In 1905, Ernst Jakob Homberger and his brother-in-law Carl Jung — the famed Swiss psychiatrist — acquired IWC. Homberger bought out Jung’s holdings in 1929, and in the 1930s, the company introduced pilot watches, which were particularly robust and aimed solely at the civil aviation industry. These durable wristwatches were designed specifically to remain operational during extreme temperature shifts. (As blue watch dials are particularly hot right now, IWC's blue-dial Big Pilot is having a moment.)
The company still operates alongside the river where it was founded, having gained an international reputation over the past 150 years for its elegant designs and expert craftsmanship. Vintage IWC watches are prized by collectors — of whom there are many these days — and while the company continues to guard its attention to detail and quality, it has pushed its classic designs forward with modern innovation intended to stand the test of time.
IWC’s 2013 Ingenieur watch collection, with its precision based on an inventive constant-force mechanism, looked back to a 1955 Ingenieur model that featured a durable soft-iron inner cage as well as a 1976 update by leading Swiss watch designer Gérald Genta that encased its mechanism in a sleek steel case. IWC has also had a recent push toward sustainability, designing watches that are made to last a lifetime and beyond and earning the highest environmental ranking of any Swiss watch company in a 2018 report published by the World Wide Fund for Nature Switzerland (WWF).
Find vintage IWC wristwatches, Art Deco–style pocket watches and more on 1stDibs.
| Average Sold Price |
| $5,059 |
| Styles |
| Related Creators |
Iconic Designs from IWC
Explore timeless pieces that have earned their place in history.
Iwc Ingenieur Watch
Iwc Portugieser Watch
Iwc Portofino Watch
IWC watch 4174. International Watch Company Diamond Bezel Ladies watch.
By IWC
Located in Port Charlotte, FL
Stunning watch piece. IWC fully mechanical wristwatch.
International Watch Company
ref 4174
Stainless Steel Case and Bracelet.
Condition: Watch winds up and ticks. Needs daily wind...
Category
Mid-20th Century Art Deco IWC
Materials
Diamond, Stainless Steel
1958 IWC Vintage Mens Handwound Watch, Caliber 89 - Stainless Steel
By IWC
Located in Suwanee, GA
NAMED ONE OF WATCHPRO MAGAZINE’S “HOT 100” - THE TOP 100 INFLUENCERS OF THE U.S. WATCH INDUSTRY. HOW CAN WE SERVE YOU?
We’re new to offering our carefully curated collection on 1stDibs, but we have sold over 10,000 fine watches and exceptionally served thousands of customers with a 5.0 star rating on other online sites.
1958 IWC Vintage Mens Handwound Watch, Caliber 89 - Stainless Steel
Gorgeous Restored Condition - Iconic Movement - 1 Year Warranty
Today offering showcases this very classic IWC with superior caliber 89 engine. It is full size, measuring 35.3mm in diameter.
Powered by one of the most highly-regarded manually wound movements ever made, talked about in the same sentence as Pateks, the watch is rich in technical details.
For those unfamiliar, the caliber 89 movement was designed by IWC's renowned technical director Albert Pellaton.
All its parts are original. It has just finished a true expertly done restoration and presents in gorgeous condition.
Its case presents as just short of mint with light aging visible on the underside of the lugs and heaving aging hidden inside the engine bay as is common with these. On the wrist it presents as beautiful mint.
Its royal blue dial has been expertly restored - the printing could pass as IWC factory done to the naked eye. Despite what the photos seem to suggest, it is a true deep and rich royal blue color.
Its movement, which is very clean, has been freshly fully overhauled by a Master Watchmaker. Photos of the inside available upon request.
It is running strong and true, keeping time on par with a brand new IWC in our testing recording position.
For the finishing touch, we have equipped it with a new leather strap and aftermarket IWC style buckle making it ready for immediate enjoyment.
Included with the purchase is a one-year C.O.T. warranty on the movement and its function, a custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity, and a new timing certificate.
A nearly six and a half decade old IWC that looks new on the wrist!
Your watch is important to us, and we will take care of it for its lifetime. We provide the best after sale care in the business with an extremely experienced team of four Master Watchmakers all of whom each have over thirty-five years of experience and a large number of parts. One used to be the watchmaker for an authorized Rolex dealership and was given special training by Rolex at their Beverly Hills Service Center. He also has done authorized watchmaking work for the Richemont Group's Service Center, owner of Cartier, IWC Schaffhausen, and many others.
Detailed Appraisal:
Manufacturer: IWC
City of origin: Schaffhausen, Switzerland
Serial no.: 1,463,599
Case no.: 1,487,088
Year built: 1958
Case material: Stainless Steel
Functions: Hours, Minutes, Sweep Seconds
Designed for: Men
Case condition: Presents as just short of mint with light aging visible on the underside of the lugs and heaving aging hidden inside the engine bay as is common with these. On the wrist, it presents as beautiful mint.
Dial: Royal blue, Signed International Watch Co. Schaffhausen, steel dart indexes, outer minute track, expertly restored
Despite what the photos seem to suggest, it is a true deep and rich royal blue color.
Dimensions: 35.3mm wide (without crown), 42.3mm lugs tip-to-tip
Hands: Original, steel "dauphines"
Jewels: 17 rubies
Band: Leather, fully stitched, padded, brand new and unworn with aftermarket IWC style buckle
We also stock lizard and a variety of other straps in various prints, skins, and colors. Please ask us if you're interested.
Crystal type: Acrylic, excellent condition
Movement type: IWC caliber...
Category
1950s Swiss Vintage IWC
Materials
Stainless Steel
1963 IWC Vintage Mens Watch, Cal. 853 Automatic - Stainless Steel
By IWC
Located in Suwanee, GA
NAMED ONE OF WATCHPRO MAGAZINE’S “HOT 100” - THE TOP 100 INFLUENCERS OF THE U.S. WATCH INDUSTRY. HOW CAN WE SERVE YOU?
We’re new to offering our carefully curated collection on 1stD...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage IWC
Materials
Stainless Steel
1958 IWC Vintage Cal. 853 Automatic Mens 18K Rose Gold Watch - Original Papers
By IWC
Located in Suwanee, GA
NAMED ONE OF WATCHPRO MAGAZINE’S “HOT 100” - THE TOP 100 INFLUENCERS OF THE U.S. WATCH INDUSTRY. HOW CAN WE SERVE YOU?
We’re new to offering our carefully curated collection on 1st...
Category
1950s Swiss Vintage IWC
Materials
Rose Gold
$4,619
H 1.66 in W 1.34 in
1972 IWC Vintage Mens Full Size Retro Watch, Cal. 8541B Pellaton Automatic - SS
By IWC
Located in Suwanee, GA
NAMED ONE OF WATCHPRO MAGAZINE’S “HOT 100” - THE TOP 100 INFLUENCERS OF THE U.S. WATCH INDUSTRY. HOW CAN WE SERVE YOU?
We’re new to offering our carefully curated collection on 1st...
Category
1970s Swiss Vintage IWC
Materials
Stainless Steel
1957 IWC Vintage Mens Watch, Cal. 852 Automatic - Stainless Steel
By IWC
Located in Suwanee, GA
1957 IWC Vintage Mens Watch, Cal. 852 Automatic - Stainless Steel
Gorgeous Restored Condition - Movement Used in the Ingenieur - 1 Year Warranty
The very fine and meticulously rest...
Category
1950s Swiss Retro Vintage IWC
Materials
Stainless Steel
IWC Aquatimer Chronograph IW376805 Stainless Steel Rubber Strap Box Paper 44mm
By IWC
Located in San Diego, CA
Style Number: IW376805
Model: IWC Aquatimer Chronograph
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Band: Rubber
Bezel: Stainless Steel
Dial: Blue
Face: Sapphire Crys...
Category
2010s IWC
IWC Schaffhausen Vintage 18K Yellow Gold Watch Leather Band
By IWC
Located in Westport, CT
An authentic 18K yellow gold IWC (International Watch Company) Schaffhausen watch, circa 1960s.
This beautiful watch features an 18K marked yell...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swiss IWC
Materials
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Browse all Jewelry from IWC
Shop NowIWC watch 4174. International Watch Company Diamond Bezel Ladies watch.
By IWC
Located in Port Charlotte, FL
Stunning watch piece. IWC fully mechanical wristwatch.
International Watch Company
ref 4174
Stainless Steel Case and Bracelet.
Condition: Watch winds up and ticks. Needs daily wind...
Category
Mid-20th Century Art Deco IWC
Materials
Diamond, Stainless Steel
1958 IWC Vintage Mens Handwound Watch, Caliber 89 - Stainless Steel
By IWC
Located in Suwanee, GA
NAMED ONE OF WATCHPRO MAGAZINE’S “HOT 100” - THE TOP 100 INFLUENCERS OF THE U.S. WATCH INDUSTRY. HOW CAN WE SERVE YOU?
We’re new to offering our carefully curated collection on 1stDibs, but we have sold over 10,000 fine watches and exceptionally served thousands of customers with a 5.0 star rating on other online sites.
1958 IWC Vintage Mens Handwound Watch, Caliber 89 - Stainless Steel
Gorgeous Restored Condition - Iconic Movement - 1 Year Warranty
Today offering showcases this very classic IWC with superior caliber 89 engine. It is full size, measuring 35.3mm in diameter.
Powered by one of the most highly-regarded manually wound movements ever made, talked about in the same sentence as Pateks, the watch is rich in technical details.
For those unfamiliar, the caliber 89 movement was designed by IWC's renowned technical director Albert Pellaton.
All its parts are original. It has just finished a true expertly done restoration and presents in gorgeous condition.
Its case presents as just short of mint with light aging visible on the underside of the lugs and heaving aging hidden inside the engine bay as is common with these. On the wrist it presents as beautiful mint.
Its royal blue dial has been expertly restored - the printing could pass as IWC factory done to the naked eye. Despite what the photos seem to suggest, it is a true deep and rich royal blue color.
Its movement, which is very clean, has been freshly fully overhauled by a Master Watchmaker. Photos of the inside available upon request.
It is running strong and true, keeping time on par with a brand new IWC in our testing recording position.
For the finishing touch, we have equipped it with a new leather strap and aftermarket IWC style buckle making it ready for immediate enjoyment.
Included with the purchase is a one-year C.O.T. warranty on the movement and its function, a custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity, and a new timing certificate.
A nearly six and a half decade old IWC that looks new on the wrist!
Your watch is important to us, and we will take care of it for its lifetime. We provide the best after sale care in the business with an extremely experienced team of four Master Watchmakers all of whom each have over thirty-five years of experience and a large number of parts. One used to be the watchmaker for an authorized Rolex dealership and was given special training by Rolex at their Beverly Hills Service Center. He also has done authorized watchmaking work for the Richemont Group's Service Center, owner of Cartier, IWC Schaffhausen, and many others.
Detailed Appraisal:
Manufacturer: IWC
City of origin: Schaffhausen, Switzerland
Serial no.: 1,463,599
Case no.: 1,487,088
Year built: 1958
Case material: Stainless Steel
Functions: Hours, Minutes, Sweep Seconds
Designed for: Men
Case condition: Presents as just short of mint with light aging visible on the underside of the lugs and heaving aging hidden inside the engine bay as is common with these. On the wrist, it presents as beautiful mint.
Dial: Royal blue, Signed International Watch Co. Schaffhausen, steel dart indexes, outer minute track, expertly restored
Despite what the photos seem to suggest, it is a true deep and rich royal blue color.
Dimensions: 35.3mm wide (without crown), 42.3mm lugs tip-to-tip
Hands: Original, steel "dauphines"
Jewels: 17 rubies
Band: Leather, fully stitched, padded, brand new and unworn with aftermarket IWC style buckle
We also stock lizard and a variety of other straps in various prints, skins, and colors. Please ask us if you're interested.
Crystal type: Acrylic, excellent condition
Movement type: IWC caliber...
Category
1950s Swiss Vintage IWC
Materials
Stainless Steel
1963 IWC Vintage Mens Watch, Cal. 853 Automatic - Stainless Steel
By IWC
Located in Suwanee, GA
NAMED ONE OF WATCHPRO MAGAZINE’S “HOT 100” - THE TOP 100 INFLUENCERS OF THE U.S. WATCH INDUSTRY. HOW CAN WE SERVE YOU?
We’re new to offering our carefully curated collection on 1stD...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage IWC
Materials
Stainless Steel
1958 IWC Vintage Cal. 853 Automatic Mens 18K Rose Gold Watch - Original Papers
By IWC
Located in Suwanee, GA
NAMED ONE OF WATCHPRO MAGAZINE’S “HOT 100” - THE TOP 100 INFLUENCERS OF THE U.S. WATCH INDUSTRY. HOW CAN WE SERVE YOU?
We’re new to offering our carefully curated collection on 1st...
Category
1950s Swiss Vintage IWC
Materials
Rose Gold
$4,619
H 1.66 in W 1.34 in
1972 IWC Vintage Mens Full Size Retro Watch, Cal. 8541B Pellaton Automatic - SS
By IWC
Located in Suwanee, GA
NAMED ONE OF WATCHPRO MAGAZINE’S “HOT 100” - THE TOP 100 INFLUENCERS OF THE U.S. WATCH INDUSTRY. HOW CAN WE SERVE YOU?
We’re new to offering our carefully curated collection on 1st...
Category
1970s Swiss Vintage IWC
Materials
Stainless Steel
1957 IWC Vintage Mens Watch, Cal. 852 Automatic - Stainless Steel
By IWC
Located in Suwanee, GA
1957 IWC Vintage Mens Watch, Cal. 852 Automatic - Stainless Steel
Gorgeous Restored Condition - Movement Used in the Ingenieur - 1 Year Warranty
The very fine and meticulously rest...
Category
1950s Swiss Retro Vintage IWC
Materials
Stainless Steel
IWC Aquatimer Chronograph IW376805 Stainless Steel Rubber Strap Box Paper 44mm
By IWC
Located in San Diego, CA
Style Number: IW376805
Model: IWC Aquatimer Chronograph
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Band: Rubber
Bezel: Stainless Steel
Dial: Blue
Face: Sapphire Crys...
Category
2010s IWC
IWC Schaffhausen Vintage 18K Yellow Gold Watch Leather Band
By IWC
Located in Westport, CT
An authentic 18K yellow gold IWC (International Watch Company) Schaffhausen watch, circa 1960s.
This beautiful watch features an 18K marked yell...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swiss IWC
Materials
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Browse all Jewelry from IWC
Shop NowPopular Searches
IWC Sale Prices
This data represents a recent sample of sales made on 1stDibs during the specified years. All sales are anonymized.
| Sold Date | Sold Price | Category | Material | Creation Year | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| $5,059 |
Average sold price of items in the past 12 months |
| $1,963-$19,196 |
| Sold price range of items in the past 12 months |
Creators Similar to IWC
More IWC Designs
Iwc Ingenieur Watch
Average Price
$7,578
Number Available
6
Iwc Ingenieur Watch
By IWC
Styles
Retro
Iwc Portugieser Watch
Average Price
$31,636
Number Available
6
Iwc Portugieser Watch
By IWC
Iwc Portofino Watch
Average Price
$8,511
Number Available
3
Iwc Portofino Watch
By IWC
Styles
Modern
Iwc jewelry & watches for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a range of IWC jewelry & watches available on 1stDibs. Each of these unique items was designed with extraordinary care, often using gold. While looking for the most stylish antique or vintage IWC jewelry to pair with your ensemble, you’ll find that IWC diamond jewelry & watches, from our inventory of 1, can add a particularly distinctive touch to your look. We have 163 pieces in this collection as well as a number of other designs by this jeweler. Artisan and Art Deco are among the most popular styles of IWC jewelry & watches available on 1stDibs. While this collection reflects work that originated over various time periods, most of these items were designed during the 21st century and contemporary. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider jewelry & watches by Jaeger-LeCoultre, Corum, and Tissot. Prices for IWC jewelry & watches can differ depending upon gemstone, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $994 and tops out at $84,229, while pieces like these, on average, can sell for $7,054.
Questions About IWC
- Are IWC watches expensive?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertDecember 17, 2024Whether IWC watches are expensive is largely a matter of opinion. Usually priced around $5,000, entry-level watches from the Swiss maker are less expensive than similar timepieces offered by other luxury watchmakers. IWC's highest-priced timepieces do sell for upwards of $250,000. Find a collection of IWC watches on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022IWC Watches stands for “International Watch Co.” Founded in 1868 by an American watchmaker in Switzerland, IWC is one of the most respected luxury Swiss watchmakers today. They’re particularly well-known for their aviation watches. Shop a collection of IWC Watches from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- How do I know if my IWC is real?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To tell if your IWC watch is real, first examine the dial. All of the pieces and numbers should be sharp, clear and precise. IWC manufactures their watches to an extremely high standard and any sign of sloppy workmanship is a dead giveaway. Counterfeiters will often use the wrong fonts and colors, so compare your watch against reference pictures of the genuine article. IWC is known for its slim design on their bezels and crowns, and all the pieces should be sleek and fit perfectly together. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of expertly-vetted IWC watches from some of the world’s top sellers.
- Where does IWC rank in watches?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 25, 2024Where IWC ranks in watches is within the realm of high-end timepieces. IWC is one of Switzerland's major luxury watch companies. The maker has gained an international reputation over the past 150 years for its elegant designs and expert craftsmanship. On 1stDibs, explore a variety of IWC watches.
- Is the IWC an expensive watch?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 22, 2024Whether the IWC watch is expensive is largely subjective, and prices for the luxury maker's timepieces do vary. Entry-level IWC watches, such as select Pilot's automatic watches, typically sell for between $4,000 and $7,000, which is similar to or less than the lowest-priced models of some competitors. Of course, the highest-end IWC watches do sell for $200,000 or more. Explore a diverse assortment of IWC watches on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertDecember 17, 2024Many watch lovers believe that IWC watches are a good investment. IWC has gained an international reputation over the past 150 years for its elegant designs and expert craftsmanship. Collectors prize vintage IWC watches and while the company continues to guard its attention to detail and quality, it has pushed its classic designs forward with modern innovation intended to stand the test of time. However, whether or not it’s worth investing in IWC watches is totally subjective! At 1stDibs, we believe in buying what you love. Our shopping experience enables discovery and learning, whether you are a seasoned connoisseur or just beginning your collection. Find IWC watches and other watches on 1stDibs.
- Is an IWC watch worth buying?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023Whether an IWC watch is worth buying depends on a few factors, such as how well it has been cared for and the piece itself. IWC, one of Switzerland’s major luxury watch companies, was started by an American who saw the potential of bringing Switzerland’s superb watchmaking into the modern age through industrialized manufacturing and high-precision interchangeable parts. The New Hampshire–born watchmaker Florentine Ariosto Jones (1841–1916), who founded International Watch Company, known today as simply IWC, in 1868, was interested in “combining all the excellence of the American system of mechanism with the more skillful hand labor of the Swiss.” Pre-owned IWC watches are known to hold their value if extremely well-cared for and some may even increase in value over time. Because it can be difficult to predict how the value of items will change over time, though, choose timepieces that appeal to you. On 1stDibs, shop an assortment of IWC watches from some of the world’s top sellers.
- What is IWC 5N gold?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022IWC 5N gold is a type of material used by the company IWC Schaffhausen to produce luxury watches. Specifically, it is an alloy that is 75 percent pure gold and 25 percent copper. People commonly refer to it as 18-karat red gold. On 1stDibs, find a large collection of IWC watches.
- Is IWC a good brand of watch?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertDecember 17, 2024Many watch lovers believe that IWC is a good brand of watch. The company still operates alongside the river where it was founded in 1869, having gained an international reputation over the past 150 years for its elegant designs and expert craftsmanship. Collectors prize vintage IWC watches and while the company continues to guard its attention to detail and quality, it has pushed its classic designs forward with modern innovation intended to stand the test of time. IWC’s 2013 Ingenieur watch collection, with its precision based on an inventive constant-force mechanism, looked back to a 1955 Ingenieur model that featured a durable soft-iron inner cage as well as a 1976 update by leading Swiss watch designer Gérald Genta that encased its mechanism in a sleek steel case. IWC has also had a recent push toward sustainability, designing watches that are made to last a lifetime and beyond and earning the highest environmental ranking of any Swiss watch company in a 2018 report published by the World Wide Fund for Nature Switzerland. Explore a diverse assortment of IWC watches on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 26, 2024Many watch lovers believe that an IWC watch is a good investment. IWC has gained an international reputation over the past 150 years for its elegant designs and expert craftsmanship. Collectors prize vintage IWC watches and while the company continues to guard its attention to detail and quality, it has pushed its classic designs forward with modern innovation intended to stand the test of time. Demand for many of the maker's timepieces remains high year after year. However, whether or not it's worth investing in IWC watches is totally subjective. At 1stDibs, we believe in buying what you love. Our shopping experience enables discovery and learning, whether you are a seasoned connoisseur or just beginning your collection. Find IWC watches and other watches on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022No, IWC no longer makes pocket watches as of December 2021. The watchmaker does use some of the movements developed for their pocket watches in their wristwatch designs. Examples include the Reference 5001, the Portuguese Automatic, and Big Pilot watches. Shop a collection of IWC pocket watches on 1stDibs.