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.
IWC IW324712 Pilots Mark XVIII Top Gun SFTI Black Ceramic 41mm Box Paper 2022
By IWC
Located in San Diego, CA
Style Number: IW324712 Year: 2022 Model: Pilots Mark XVIII Top Gun SFTI Case Material: Ceramic Band: Leather Bezel: Ceramic Dial: Black Face: Sapphire Crystal Case Size: 41mm ...
IWC GST IW372703 Men's Watch in Stainless Steel
By IWC
Located in New York, NY
IWC GST IW372703 Men's Watch in Stainless Steel SKU: 118648 PRIMARY DETAILS Brand: IWC Model: GST Country of Origin: Switzerland Movement Type: Quartz: Battery Year Manufactured: ...
Stainless Steel, Steel
IWC Schaffhausen 14 Karat Gold Pocket Watch
By IWC
Located in Stamford, CT
Vintage International Watch Co. Schaffhausen 48mm pocket watch, never engraved. circa 1925-1930 Length: 62.54mm Width: 48mm Case thickness: 8.79mm Crystal: Acrylic Dial: Gold Inside Case: 803264 Outside Case: 778838 IWC Schaffhausen
Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
IWC Schaffhausen 1960s Mens 35mm Vintage Swiss Automatic Unrestored RA643
By IWC
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Timeless excellence, Men's IWC Schaffhausen automatic, c.1960s, in excellent working condition. Verified authentic by a master watchmaker. Gorgeous, unrestored IWC signed vintage di...
Rare Art Deco IWC Schaffhausen 18k Gold Rectangular Watch (c.1930's)
By IWC
Located in Wailea, HI
Rare Art Deco IWC Schaffhausen 18k Gold Rectangular Watch with Engraved Case (c. 1930s) Description: Presenting a truly exceptional example of...
18k Gold
IWC Retro Gold Buckle Honeycomb Bracelet Watch
By IWC
Located in New York, NY
Retro mid century 18k gold honeycomb buckle design bracelet with IWC watch. Bracelet is 6 5/8" long, widest point of the buckle - 30mm wide. Weight - 125. ...
Gold
IWC Da Vinci Moonphase 36mm Steel Full Set 2018 Ref: IW459306
By IWC
Located in București, București
The watch is in a very good condition and it’s working well. The box is sticky. The watch comes with the original box and documents, along with an AGS Jewelry warranty card. The IWC...
Steel
Tiffany & Co. I. W. C. Watch Company Rose Gold Manual Wind Watch
By IWC
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: International Watch Company for Tiffany & Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Round, Classic METAL: 14 Kt. Rose Gold CIRCA: 1930's MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 17 Je...
IWC Pilots IW326906 "Top Gun" Mens Watch Box Papers
By IWC
Located in Great Neck, NY
IWC Pilots IW326906 "Top Gun" Mens Watch. 41mm black ceramic case. Black ceramic bezel. Black dial with black hands and Arabic numeral hour markers. Date displayed at 3 o'clock. Blac...
International Watch Co. Stainless Steel Automatic circa, 1940's
By IWC
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: I.W.C. / Schaffhausen STYLE / REFERENCE: Round METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 44mm x Diameter 35mm MOVEMENT / CA...
Stainless Steel
IWC (International Watch Company) men's wristwatch. Approximately 1970.
By IWC
Located in bronshoj, DK
IWC (International Watch Company) men's wristwatch. Approximately 1970. Quartz movement. Serial number: 2179625. In good condition with minor signs of use. The battery needs to be re...
I.W.C. International Steel Mid-Century Automatic 1960's with Original Dial
By IWC
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: International Watch Company / Schaffhausen STYLE / REFERENCE: Auto Date / Reference 818A METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1950's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Le...
International Watch Company Rose Gold Keyless Lever Open Face Pocket Watch C1920
By IWC
Located in Mayfair, London, London
An International Watch Company 14ct yellow gold, keyless lever open face pocket watch, C1920s with it's original presentation box. Dial: A Beautiful White Enamel Dial in perfect con...
14k Gold, Rose Gold
International Watch Co. A Rose Gold Full Hunter Pocket Watch C1900
By IWC
Located in Mayfair, London, London
International Watch Company 14ct Rose Gold Full Hunter Keyless Manual Wind Lever Movement Pocket Watch C1900's. Dial: The Perfect rare white enamel dial with Breguet style numerals ...
14k Gold, Rose Gold
IWC Spitfire Chronograph Slate Grey Dial Men's Watch IW387802
By IWC
Located in New York, NY
IWC SPITFIRE CHRONOGRAPH SLATE GREY DIAL MENS WATCH IW387802 Condition: Mint Case size: 43mm Material: Stainless steel Movement: Automatic Di...
Stainless Steel
IWC Big Ingenieur 7 Day Power Reserve Watch
By IWC
Located in New York, NY
Mint condition case, strap shows signs of wear Movement : Mechanical Automatic Case diameter: 45.5mm Case: Stainless Steel Scratch Resistant Sapphire Tang Buckle Function: Date, Powe...
IWC Ingenieur - IW500501 - Stainless Steel Watch 46mm
By IWC
Located in Providence, RI
The striking design of the Ingenieur is a combination of rugged sportiness with an undeniable technical appeal. This watch was designed with a high level of detail and precision. Thi...
Stainless Steel
IWC Schaffhausen Calatrava c1944 Manual Calibre 62 Mid-Size 27mm Unisex Watch
By IWC
Located in MELBOURNE, AU
This fine & very rare Calatrava style unisex timepiece by IWC (International Watch Company) is dating from 1944, yet it’s in beautiful condition with all original parts & in excel...
Stainless Steel
Limited Edition IWC Portuguese Minute Repeater Platinum IW524204
By IWC
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A IWC Portuguese Minute Repeater, reference 544204, limited edition of just 100 pieces . This exquisite men's timepiece features a silver dial with applied Arabic numerals, a minute...
Platinum
IWC Open Face Pocket Watch Yellow Gold
By IWC
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A vintage 14k yellow gold open face pocket watch by IWC. The silver dial features a small seconds display at 6 o'clock. Fitted with plastic glas...
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
I. W. C. Schaffhausen Yellow Gold Art Deco Style Mechanical Watch
By IWC
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: International Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Tonneau Shape / Art Deco MOVEMENT / CALIBER: 17 Jewels / Cal. 87 DIAL / HANDS: Arabic and Baton Numbers, Gilt Style Ha...
IWC Portuguese Tourbillon Mystere Limited Edition White Gold IW504207
By IWC
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A Portuguese Tourbillon Mystere crafted in white gold. Features a tourbillon escapement at 12 o'clock, a small seconds sub-dial, a power-reserve display and a white gold bezel. Fitte...
White Gold
IWC Big Ingenieur IW500501 Watch
By IWC
Located in New York, NY
IWC BIG INGENIEUR WATCH WITH BOX AND PAPERS. *Like-new, pristine condition watch. -Brand: IWC -Model: Ingenieur -Style: IW500501 -Movement: Swiss Automatic -Case Diameter: 45.5mm -C...
Stainless Steel
$10,800Sale Price|20% Off
IWC Big Ingenieur Chronograph Automatic White Dial Men's Watch 378405
By IWC
Located in New York, NY
IWC Big Ingenieur Chronograph Automatic White Dial Men's Watch 378405 Brand new unworn!! complete set box papers tags BRANDIWC SERIES LABEL Big Ingenieur P...
Tiffany & Co. by Schaffhausen International Watch Company Art Deco Style Watch
By IWC
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: International Watch Company, Schaffhausen Switzerland STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Round Style METAL / MATERIAL: 14 Kt. Yellow Gold DIMENSIONS: Length 37mm X Diam...
$10,000Sale Price|20% Off
IWC Big Pilots Black Dial Automatic Steel Mens Watch IW500401
By IWC
Located in New York, NY
IWC Big Pilots 46mm Black Dial Automatic Steel Mens Watch IW500401 Brand new!! box papers unworn! incredible watch! free overnight shippinhg! shop wit...
Steel
IWC Ingenieur Double chronograph Titanium Black Dial Automatic Watch IW376501
By IWC
Located in New York, NY
Pre-owned good condition. The watch has micro scratches on the case and bezel. The rubber band and loops have minor cracks at the edges. Comes with the original box and papers. The exterior of the box is damaged. * Free Shipping within the USA * Two-year warranty coverage * 14-day return policy with a full refund. Buyers can verify the watch's authenticity at any boutique or dealership within this period * Kindly be aware that international buyers must cover any customs taxes or duties imposed by their country. We do not defraud Customs. * Warranties provided by us are exclusively handled by our own certified watchmakers. Brand: IWC Type: Wristwatch Department: Men Model Number: IW376501 Country/Region of Manufacture: Switzerland Style: Casual Model: IWC Ingenieur Vintage...
Titanium
IWC Big Ingenieur Chronograph, DFB Soccer Edition, Ref. 3784, IW378404
By IWC
Located in Berlin, DE
IWC Big Ingenieur Chronograph, DFB Soccer Edition (German Football Association) Ref. 3784, IW378404 Full Set. Watch comes with original Box and Pap...
Stainless Steel