A Comprehensive Guide to Buying Your First IWC Watch

IWC Schaffhausen boasts a diverse history. With travel, technology, and horology. Here’s our guide to buying your first IWC watch.

There is always room in any enthusiast’s collection. As it brings authenticity, durability, heirloom properties, and investment. Today, they are launching their new IWC Portugieser range.

Even actor Bradley Cooper adorned his luxury watch in the 2019 Oscars. He wore the IWC Big Pilot. He then auctioned it off and donated all proceedings to a youth charity.

A Brief History to IWC Schaffhausen

Although Swiss in name, IWC was the brainchild of American Florentine Aristo Jones. In 1868, the pioneer crossed seas to get to the famed Swiss Rhine Falls. His dreams were to combine American engineering with Swiss horology.

What makes IWC Schaffhausen special is engineering that brought Swiss excellence to America.

When hydropower became accessible, the Rhine was strategic in making the electronically-powered factory. This building remains pinnacle to IWC Schaffhausen as their headquarters and museum.

They came in with a bang: they introduced the first digital mechanical pocket watch in 1885. Called the Pallweber, it even had windows cut into the dial.

Today, this sustainable engineering continues. The brand adheres to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Even stating 8 sustainability targets in their transparency report.

Inside the IWC Museum

With IWC’s innovative and pioneering excellence in Swiss watchmaking, they opened their doors. In 1993, the brand became transparent. So, now IWC houses its entire collection on the first floor of the building as its museum.

For any watch enthusiast, visiting the IWC museum is a bucket-list adventure. According to IWC, there are over 230 iconic watches with their brand as a result of 150 years of luxury horology.

The museum houses a timeline and genealogy of each watch family as well as the movements used. Also, displayed is IWC Schaffhausen’s change from traditional Jones movements to the 52-caliber. And, again to today’s IWC in-house movements.

The Exquisite Collection

IWC wanted to provide the skies with the Swiss horology excellence. Hence the Pilot’s watch. As one of their most famed collections, they catered to the skies during both WWI and WWII.

Otherwise, focus is on the iconic IWC Portugieser and its new Yacht Collection. This is because the watch is newly reimagined for a 2020 release with 5 new designs.

Here’s the full list of collections available to men through IWC Schaffhausen:

IWC Pilot’s Watches

IWC Portugieser

IWC Portofino

IWC Da Vinci

IWC Ingenieur

IWC Aquatimer

IWC Jubilee Collection

As your first luxury watch, the IWC Schaffhausen offers personalised timeless horology. Whereby, you have a choice of case sizes, dial colours and complications.

Their collections feature timing choices of the chronograph and double chronograph. Astronomical functions of the annual calendar, moon phase, and perpetual calendar. A choice between 10 and 30 bar water resistance. A minute repeater as a mechanical marvel. And, atop this, they also feature both the quartz-automatic, self-winding, and manual-winding movements.

If you’re wanting a watch based on the timepiece that shaped the company, the new IWC Portugieser is for you. Otherwise, your guide to buying your first IWC Schaffhausen suggests the Pilot. The pilot collection delivers on history, classic complications and acceptance of a budget.

Tips for Buying your First IWC Schaffhausen Watch

Now you are sure you want to purchase your IWC Schaffhausen, then it’s time to finalise the sale. 

When you go to an authorised dealer, you’ll need to show that you’re familiar with the brand and you’ve done the research. 

We recommend entering a sale with at least one IW Reference number. For example, the luxurious Pilot’s Top Gun IW371815 in 44mm with a 44-hour power reserve.

Or, even the modern classic design of the all-new burgundy Portugieser Chronograph IW371616. Offering 69355 Calibre movement in 41mm and more.

It’s important to test the waters by trying on some designs that suit your essence. The vibrant and exciting variations, straps, faces, and complications will reflect your charisma.

If you’re expecting to wear your luxury watch during exclusive events, then make sure it fits the suave of a suit. Or, if you plan on wearing it for informal events, have the right straps to accommodate the occasion!

What You Can Expect from Service and Warranty

After you have bought your IWC Schaffhausen, the fine service doesn’t stop there. If you register your watch with IWC, you’ll receive 8 years extended warranty on your timepiece. As well as a warranty card and exclusive access to their service hubs. Good competition to its rival Swiss luxury watches brands

However, it’s important to know all this is only possible if you register your watch within the first two years! Otherwise, the warranty will end after this initial two-year period. And, there is no way to extend or amend this. 

And, there you have it, your ultimate guide to buying your first IWC Schaffhausen watch. It’s time to enter the museum.

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