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 Aquatimer Chronograph Stainless Steel Automatic
By IWC
Located in New York, NY
Brand IWC Model: Aquatimer Chronograph Reference Number: IW376802 Condition: Pre-Owned (Like New) Movement: Automatic Case Material: Stainless Steel Bracelet Material: Stainless Ste...
Silver, Steel, Stainless Steel
Genuine Garnet Bolo Bracelet Stainless Steel
Located in Webster, SD
This gorgeous bolo bracelet is stainless steel. The bracelet features 11 round cut 4mm garnets and is adjustable from 5 to 9 inches. Marks: 316L, S Steel Condition: New/ Never worn
Garnet, Stainless Steel
Tiziana N1 Stainless Steel Spring Bangle Bracelet
Located in Lugano, TI
Balanced between the exotic and the industrial, the Tiziana N1 stainless steel Bangle Bracelet is strikingly elegant. The hardness of steel is softened by a clever structure of elastic hoops of finely spun springs. By transforming an otherwise common, industrial material...
Steel, Stainless Steel
Gucci 100M Steel Rectangular Custom Diamond G-Bezel Black Dial Unisex Watch
By Gucci
Located in New York, NY
Auth Gucci stainless Steel diamond “G” Bezel watch Gucci Silver Stainless Steel Black Dial 3600 Swiss Water Resistant Wrist Watch. Pre-Owned Case Diameter: 32mm stainless steel 3...
Diamond, Steel, Stainless Steel
10.98 Carat Ruby, Silver and Stainless Steel beaded Classic Macrame Bracelet
Located in London, GB
This 10.98 Ruby Stainless Steel and Silver beaded Macrame bracelet from The OriginalTresor Paris Audace Collection features 7 satin beads and 14 shiny Stainless Steel beads and two magnetite rings...
Ruby, Stainless Steel, Steel, Silver, Sterling Silver
Bulgari 'Parentesi' Cuff in 18 Karat Gold & Stainless Steel
By Bulgari
Located in Brisbane City, QLD
Crafted by the famed Italian maker Bulgari this flexible cuff bracelet is in a pattern called 'Parentesi'. The flexible cuff is crafted from 18 karat yellow gold and stainless steel,...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Steel, Stainless Steel
Charriol Diamond Classique Bracelet in Stainless Steel, 18k Yellow & White Gold
By Charriol
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Introducing an exquisite Charriol Classique Bracelet, a testament to timeless elegance and impeccable craftsmanship. This stunning piece is expertly crafted with a blend of 18-karat ...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Steel, Stainless Steel
11.76 Carat Emerald Silver Stainless Steel Modern Classic Bead Macrame Bracelet
By Tresor Paris
Located in London, GB
This 11.76 Carats Emerald Stainless Steel and Silver beaded bracelet from The Original Tresor Paris Tendresse Vert Collection. This Bracelet features 7 satin finished beads and 14 shiny Stainless Steel beads and two magnetite rings...
Emerald, Silver, Stainless Steel, Steel
Bvlgari Parentesi 18K Gold Stainless Steel Link Bracelet
By Bulgari
Located in Miami, FL
Exquisite Bvlgari Parentesi Link Bracelet, The two-tone is created by 18K Yellow gold link and Steel. It is Highly polished gold with a satin finish steel link making this bracele...
18k Gold, Steel, Stainless Steel
TAG HEUER FORMULA 1 Automatic Chronograph, 44 mm, Steel CAZ2010.WEA8098 Leather
By TAG Heuer
Located in New York, NY
A high-performance automatic sports chronograph in high-tech ceramic and stainless steel. Built for speed lovers, its sleek, grey dial features fire-red touches and Super-LumiNova® details for effortless readability. box Blue dial Pre-Owned Case Diameter: 44mm Wrist Size: 10"Have box for the watch almost new looking as i dont see any scratches Built for speed, super shock absorbent and water resistant to 200 meters, it is powered by the formidable Calibre 16 automatic movement. The metal and ceramic bracelet comes with a driver extension to fit over the sleeve of a racing suit...
Stainless Steel
Marina B 18K Yellow Gold And Stainless Steel Green Emerald Cuff Bracelet
By Marina B
Located in New York, NY
This striking Marina B. 18k Yellow Gold and Stainless Steel Cuff Bracelet showcases the brand's iconic blend of bold design and refined craftsmanship. At its center, a captivating ca...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Steel, Stainless Steel
Bvlgari Stainless Steel Black Onyx Tubogas Cuff Bracelet, Italian
By Bulgari
Located in Miami, FL
A sleek and iconic Bvlgari Tubogas cuff bracelet, crafted in polished stainless steel and finished with two round black onyx inlays framed by the signature BVLGARI BVLGARI logo motif...
Onyx, Steel, Stainless Steel
Ladies Ebel Beluga Stainless Steel with Diamonds E9057a28-10, Leather Pink Belt
By Ebel Beluga
Located in New York, NY
Pre owned Ebel Beluga Ladies Watch. Stainless steel 19mm case with diamonds. Mother of pearl dial with diamonds. Pink leather strap with a stainless steel deployment buckle. Quartz b...
Diamond, Stainless Steel, Steel