Founded in 1868 by American watchmaker Florentine Ariosto Jones, the International Watch Company (IWC) has established itself as one of Switzerland’s most prestigious manufacturers by combining precision engineering with timeless design. Operating from its historic headquarters in Schaffhausen, in the German-speaking region of Switzerland, IWC has cultivated a distinctive identity characterised by technical innovation, functional aesthetics, and exceptional craftsmanship.
IWC’s diverse collection spans from the aviation-inspired Pilot’s Watches to the nautical Portugieser, the elegant Portofino, and the robust Aquatimer dive watches. Each line embodies the brand’s philosophy of creating precision instruments that transcend generations through their engineering excellence and restrained sophistication. The company’s approach to design blends German industrial precision with Swiss watchmaking tradition, resulting in timepieces that balance technical complexity with functional clarity.
At MVS Watches, we present a carefully curated selection of pre-owned IWC Schaffhausen timepieces, each authenticated by our expert team. Whether you’re drawn to the historical significance of the Big Pilot’s Watch, the technical sophistication of the Portugieser Chronograph, or the understated elegance of the Portofino, our collection represents the finest examples of IWC craftsmanship available on the secondary market.
£5,250.00
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£4,995.00
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IWC’s journey began when Boston-born Florentine Ariosto Jones travelled to Switzerland with a pioneering vision: to combine American manufacturing techniques with Swiss watchmaking expertise. Establishing his factory in Schaffhausen rather than the traditional centres of Swiss watchmaking, Jones leveraged the nearby Rhine River for hydropower and created a company that would become synonymous with engineering excellence.
Key milestones in IWC’s rich history include:
Throughout its history, IWC has maintained a commitment to substantial engineering and understated design that has earned it a special place among watch enthusiasts. Unlike brands that emphasise decorative flourishes or extreme complications, IWC has focused on creating technically excellent timepieces that offer genuine utility and enduring appeal, an approach summarised by the company’s longtime motto: “Probus Scafusia” (Good, solid craftsmanship from Schaffhausen).
IWC’s association with aviation timepieces dates back to the 1930s when the company produced its first “Special Pilot’s Watch.” However, it was the iconic Big Pilot’s Watch of 1940, with its distinctive oversized crown (designed for operation while wearing flight gloves), clear legibility, and precise movement, that established IWC’s reputation in military aviation timepieces. The contemporary Pilot’s Watch collection builds on this rich heritage while incorporating modern engineering.
Today, the Pilot’s Watch family encompasses several distinct lines, including the classic Mark series, the technical Pilot’s Chronograph, the imposing Big Pilot’s Watch, and the TOP GUN editions with their advanced materials. All models maintain the essential characteristics that define a proper pilot’s watch: exceptional legibility, accurate movements, anti-magnetic protection, and robust construction. Special editions honouring squadrons, aviation pioneers, and literary references (like “Le Petit Prince” and “Antoine de Saint-Exupéry”) add cultural depth to this technically focused collection.
The Portugieser’s story began in the late 1930s when two Portuguese businessmen commissioned wristwatches with the precision of marine chronometers. To meet this requirement, IWC placed pocket watch movements in wrist watch cases, creating timepieces with exceptional accuracy and a distinctive aesthetic characterised by clean dials, applied Arabic numerals, and slim bezels that maximise dial presence.
The modern Portugieser collection has evolved to include various complications while maintaining the clean, nautically inspired design of the original. From the iconic Portugieser Chronograph with its perfectly proportioned dial to the sophisticated Portugieser Annual Calendar and the technical tour de force of the Portugieser Perpetual Calendar, these watches combine visual balance with horological excellence. The Portugieser represents IWC’s approach to refined elegance, offering substantial presence without sacrificing sophistication.
Named after the picturesque Italian coastal town, the Portofino collection embodies understated luxury and timeless design. Introduced in 1984, the original Portofino was inspired by pocket watch conversions from the 1920s and featured a sleek case with minimalist aesthetics. Over the decades, the collection has maintained this commitment to refined simplicity while expanding to include various complications.
The contemporary Portofino line offers perhaps the most versatile expression of IWC’s design philosophy, with clean dials, applied indices, and slim profiles suitable for formal occasions yet robust enough for everyday wear. Available in various sizes to accommodate different preferences and with options ranging from time-only models to moonphases and chronographs, the Portofino represents accessible luxury with the engineering integrity expected from IWC.
First introduced in 1967, the Aquatimer demonstrated IWC’s ability to create purpose-built professional instruments. The original model featured an internal rotating bezel controlled by a second crown, an innovative solution that maintained water resistance while providing critical timing capability for divers. Over the decades, the Aquatimer has evolved through various technical iterations while maintaining its focus on underwater functionality.
Today’s Aquatimer collection showcases IWC’s innovative approach to watchmaking with features like the SafeDive system (which ensures that dive times can only be shortened, never extended accidentally) and the quick-change bracelet system that allows easy swapping between straps without tools. With water resistance typically ranging from 300 to 2000 meters and distinctive design elements like the internal/external rotating bezel mechanism, the Aquatimer represents IWC’s commitment to both technical innovation and practical utility.
IWC has significantly expanded its manufacture movement capabilities over the past two decades, developing a range of in-house calibers that showcase the company’s engineering expertise. The 52000, 69000, and 82000 caliber families represent IWC’s current generation of manufacture movements, featuring innovations like the Pellaton winding system, which converts the rotor’s movement in both directions into winding energy with exceptional efficiency. These movements typically offer generous power reserves (up to 7 days in some models), enhanced precision, and robust construction designed for long-term reliability.
A particular highlight is the 52000 family used in the Portugieser and Big Pilot’s lines, featuring ceramic components in the winding system to minimise wear, twin mainspring barrels for extended power reserve, and a free-sprung balance for improved precision. These technical features demonstrate IWC’s focus on substantive engineering improvements rather than purely decorative flourishes.
IWC has a long history of pioneering materials in watchmaking, dating back to its collaboration with Ferdinand A. Porsche in 1980 that resulted in the first titanium wristwatch case. This tradition continues with the company’s current use of advanced materials:
IWC has developed particularly innovative approaches to calendar complications, most notably the perpetual calendar mechanism designed by Kurt Klaus in the 1980s. This ingenious system allows all calendar displays, including the date, day, month, year, and moonphase, to be adjusted through a single crown, a significant improvement over traditional perpetual calendars that require multiple adjusters. Additionally, the annual calendar mechanism introduced in the Portugieser Annual Calendar features a display showing the month, date, and day in a format inspired by American date notation, demonstrating IWC’s ability to approach traditional complications with fresh perspective.
In recent years, IWC has emerged as a leader in sustainable luxury watchmaking. The company produces comprehensive sustainability reports, has achieved carbon-neutral status for its headquarters and manufacturing facilities, and has implemented various initiatives to minimize environmental impact throughout the production process. These efforts include responsible sourcing of materials, energy-efficient manufacturing, and recyclable packaging. While not a technical innovation in the traditional sense, this commitment to sustainability represents an important aspect of IWC’s forward-thinking approach to watchmaking in the 21st century.
IWC watches are distinguished by their engineering-focused approach that prioritises technical excellence and functional design. Unlike many Swiss luxury brands that emphasise decorative finishing or extreme complications, IWC creates timepieces with a clear purpose, whether that’s aviation (Pilot’s Watches), nautical precision (Portugieser), or elegant versatility (Portofino). The company’s location in Schaffhausen, away from traditional watchmaking centres, has fostered a distinctive mindset that blends German industrial precision with Swiss watchmaking tradition, resulting in watches that appeal particularly to those who value substantive engineering and understated aesthetics.
Certain IWC models have demonstrated good value retention, particularly limited editions and technically significant pieces like the Big Pilot’s Watch and Portugieser Perpetual Calendar. The brand’s focus on engineering substance rather than passing trends tends to create timepieces with enduring appeal. However, as with all luxury watches, condition, rarity, and provenance significantly impact potential investment value. We recommend purchasing primarily for enjoyment and appreciation of IWC’s technical excellence, with investment potential as a secondary consideration.
IWC recommends servicing mechanical watches every 5 years to maintain optimal performance. However, watches with in-house movements featuring ceramic components in the Pellaton winding system may maintain accuracy and functional integrity for longer periods. For Aquatimer and other water-resistant models, annual water resistance testing is advisable if the watch is regularly exposed to water. Regular servicing ensures the longevity of these precisely engineered timepieces and preserves their value.
The Pellaton winding system, named after IWC’s former technical director Albert Pellaton who developed it in the 1950s, is an efficient automatic winding mechanism that converts the rotor’s movement in both directions into winding energy. Unlike conventional winding systems, the Pellaton system uses cam-shaped lobes and ceramic pawls to generate winding power from even the slightest movement. In modern IWC watches, this system has been enhanced with ceramic components for wear resistance, demonstrating the company’s approach of continuously improving proven engineering solutions.
Authentic IWC watches feature precise engineering, high-quality finishing, and specific details that vary by model and production period. The movement should match the reference number, serial numbers should be properly engraved (not etched), and dial printing should be immaculate. Given IWC’s reputation for technical excellence, any signs of poor finishing or imprecise assembly are red flags. For definitive authentication, we recommend having the watch examined by authorised IWC service centres or by experienced specialists like our team at MVS Watches who are familiar with the specific characteristics of genuine IWC timepieces.
Explore the world of pre-owned IWC watches and own a piece of Swiss engineering. Whether you’re adding to your collection, searching for a meaningful gift, or investing in a rare timepiece, our curated selection has something extraordinary waiting for you.
Call us at 07793 488492 or email info@mvswatches.com
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