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.
18K Yellow Gold & Natural Diamond IWC Ladies Watch
By IWC
Located in Lexington, KY
This elegant ladies' timepiece was made by the renowned International Watch Co. (IWC) in striking 18k yellow and white gold with bright white natural diamonds. This watch is a striki...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Diamond and 18k Yellow Gold Bracelet
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive 0.85 carat and 18 karat yellow gold bracelet; part of our diverse vintage jewelry and estate jewelry collections. This fine and impressive vintage diamond brac...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18K Yellow Gold and Diamond Bracelet
Located in Chicago, IL
This fun geometric designed bracelet contains 108 top quality round brilliant cut diamonds weighing approximately 11.86 carats total. In an open work design and beautifully crafted i...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18k Yellow Gold 1970s Multirow Diamond Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
This 18k yellow gold bracelet from the 1970s is a true masterpiece of jewelry craftsmanship. The twisted rows of wire gold give the bracelet a unique texture and the addition of roun...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Piaget Diamond 18K Yellow Gold Ballerina Ladies Wrist Watch
Located in Miami, FL
Unique Vintage Piaget LAdies wristwatch. A highly collectible piece, for a delicate and elegant wrist. Crafted completely in 18k yellow gold, with white gold accents. Gold dial With ...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
18K Gold Malachite Four Clover Natural Diamond Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
This 18K yellow gold malachite natural diamond clover bracelet is a dazzling and refined accessory that seamlessly blends classic elegance style. Crafted from solid 18-karat yellow g...
White Diamond, Malachite, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18K Yellow Gold and Diamond Link Bracelet
Located in Monte Carlo, MC
This elegant bracelet, offered by Claris)-A, is composed of articulated oval links in yellow gold, forming a fluid and rhythmic design that sits naturally on the wrist. Each link is ...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
David Yurman diamond 18k yellow white gold crossover bracelet
By David Yurman
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This elegant David Yurman crossover bracelet blends polished 18k yellow and white gold into the brand’s signature sculptural twist, illuminated with a refined line of shimmering diam...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Mauboussin Diamond Link Bracelet 18K Yellow Gold
By Mauboussin
Located in Dallas, TX
Mauboussin Diamond Link Bracelet in 18K Yellow Gold. The bracelet features approximately 2ctw of round diamonds. 6.5" Length, 0.25" Wide, 25.4 Grams
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20.50 Carat Natural Asscher Cut Yellow Diamond Tennis Bracelet, 18K Yellow Gold
Located in New York, NY
Introducing our stunning Asscher Cut Yellow Diamond Tennis bracelet, This exceptional bracelet features a total of 40 exquisite Asscher cut yellow diamonds, each just over half a car...
Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18k 750 White Gold Natural White Diamond Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
18k White Gold Diamond Bracelet Metal Type: 18k White Gold Total Item Weight: 14.66 Grams Length: 7.0 in Width: 11.0 mm Height: 2.7 mm Sizable: Yes 1: Natural Diamond Weight: 2.12 C...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
GUCCI Vintage 18k Ladies Wristwatch
By Gucci
Located in Narberth, PA
An absolutely stunning Gucci watch from the Vintage (ca1970s) era! Crafted in vibrant 18k yellow gold, this watch features an oval-shaped face. The face of the watch is a deep speckled blue hue, and the Roman numerals, which represent the hours, are crafted in gold. The face features two hands, and the Gucci signature. The face is held within a smooth and simple gold case, and a circular crown can be found at the side. The unique braided-design of the gold band is truly wonderful, and adds to the impressive appearance of the watch. The piece secures with a watch clasp, and the back of the face is stamped with a "750" purity mark and the Gucci signature. The back of the band is marked with both "750" and "18K" purity marks, "ITALY", and another Gucci signature. The watch has a 17-jewel windup movement, and is in working order. A fabulous wristwatch, this piece would be perfect for everyday wear! Measurements: When closed, the opening of the bracelet (where your wrist would rest) measures approximately 2 1/4" wide and 2" tall. The diameter of the watch face is approximately 5/8" wide and 7/8" tall. Condition: The overall condition of the watch is excellent. There is no damage to the gold setting or to the watch face. The gold band and watch...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18K Yellow Gold Diamond Square Link Bracelet
By Valentin Magro
Located in New York, NY
The warm glow of 18k yellow gold forms a geometric Art Deco-inspired motif accented by the flicker of brilliant cut diamonds. Layers of the sleek metal give it dimension with a squar...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Lady's Art Deco Platinum and Diamond Mesh Wristwatch IWC
By IWC
Located in Firenze, IT
PLEASE NOTE: OUR PRICE IS FULLY INCLUSIVE OF SHIPPING, IMPORTATION TAXES & DUTIES The oval dial with Arabic quarters and baton hour markers to a brilliant-cut diamond bezel, openw...
Diamond, White Gold, Platinum