IWC Ingenieur

The International Watch Company, better known as IWC, was founded in 1868 by American watchmaker Florentine Ariosto Jones in Schaffhausen, Switzerland. Jones, who had previously worked in Boston, had the vision of combining American production methods with Swiss watchmaking. His goal was to produce high-quality watches for the American market.

Jones chose Schaffhausen as the location because of the Rhine's hydroelectric power, which provided a low-cost source of energy for the factory machinery. This was a pioneering move, as Schaffhausen was not in Switzerland's traditional watchmaking territory. Despite this geographical challenge, IWC quickly developed into a leader in the industry.

In the early years, IWC mainly produced pocket watches, but they soon expanded their range to include wristwatches that left nothing to be desired in terms of precision and quality. A significant turning point in the company's history was the introduction of the first "Special Watch for Pilots" in 1936, which was specially developed for pilots and was characterized by its robustness and reliability.

In the 1970s, during the quartz crisis that was affecting many traditional watch manufacturers, IWC made a conscious decision to continue to rely on mechanical movements. This decision played a key role in maintaining the brand's reputation for producing high-quality and durable timepieces.

Today, IWC is known worldwide for its precise and elegant watches, which are appreciated for both their technical excellence and their timeless design. Models such as the Portugieser, the Pilot's Watch and the Aquatimer are highly sought after not only by watch lovers but also by collectors. IWC remains true to the tradition of watchmaking and combines it with innovative technologies to create watches that will last for generations.

Florentine Ariosto Jones, born on February 15, 1841 in New Hampshire, USA, was a visionary watchmaker and the founder of the International Watch Company (IWC). From an early age, Jones showed a great passion for precision and mechanics, which led him to pursue a career in watchmaking.

Before founding IWC, Jones worked as head of production at the famous E. Howard & Co. in Boston, one of the leading American watch manufacturers of his time. Here he gained valuable experience and recognized the potential of combining American production methods with traditional Swiss watchmaking to produce high-quality watches at affordable prices.

In 1868, Jones put his vision into action and founded the International Watch Company in Schaffhausen, Switzerland. His goal was to combine the advanced manufacturing techniques of the USA with the craftsmanship of Swiss watchmakers. Schaffhausen offered ideal conditions for energy-intensive production due to the hydropower of the Rhine.

Jones was not only an experienced watchmaker, but also a clever businessman. Despite the initial difficulties arising from the geographical location and differences in working methods, he managed to build IWC into a successful company. His foresight and innovative power laid the foundation for the brand's ongoing success.

After founding and launching IWC, Jones returned to the United States where he continued to work in the watch industry. Florentine Ariosto Jones passed away in 1916, but his legacy lives on in IWC. His vision of combining the best aspects of American and Swiss watchmaking continues to shape the brand today. IWC continues to stand for precision, innovation and timeless elegance, thanks in large part to Jones' pioneering spirit and commitment to excellence.

IWC has produced several iconic watch models that are known for their exceptional design and technical excellence. The IWC Portugieser Ref. 325 , introduced in the 1930s, is known for its large, easy-to-read dial and is considered to be one of the first wristwatches with a pocket watch movement. The IWC Big Pilot's Watch Ref. 5002 , introduced in 2002, pays homage to historic pilot's watches and is characterized by its oversized crown and classic aviator design. The IWC Ingenieur SL Ref. 1832 , designed by Gérald Genta and introduced in 1976, is known for its technical design and high resistance to magnetic fields. The IWC Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Ref. 3750 , introduced in the 1980s, impresses with its innovative perpetual calendar with a mechanical memory for 500 years.