Finally, the time has come. The time for Basel world 2019.
Basel world is one of the most anticipated few days of the year in the watch industry. Apart from the fact that it has been the world’s most important watch fair for many decades, it is also the time of the year when many brands release their new models.
Continue reading Tudor Black Bay Chrono S&G 79363N [Complete Guide]
Rolex’s Explorer range is, just like most other watch ranges of Rolex, a model that has had a long and interesting history, and which has been improved and refined to perfection over the years.
The Rolex Explorer has many historical moments under its name, and it is indeed a true classic. In Rolex’s lineup of Explorer watches, there is both the Rolex Explorer I and the Rolex Explorer II, and over the course of their history, they have both been improved, iterated, and changed visually in design.
The Rolex Submariner is arguably the most iconic watch model in the world. The Rolex Submariner is certainly one of the most recognized watch designs, and its design can be recognized all over the world, both by watch enthusiasts and people who know very little about watches.
Rolex is arguably one of the most recognizable and prestigious names in watchmaking. For many, owning a Rolex is a goal and a dream, but once that dream gets closer to becoming a reality, how do you know which Rolex watch to own? There are literally hundreds and hundreds, if not thousands of Rolex models that you can choose from, so how can you possibly just settle for one?
Continue reading Buying Your First Rolex: Complete Guide to your First Rolex Purchase
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Switzerland is the county that is most associated with watchmaking and is known as the capital of watchmaking. But did you know that Germany also has a rather impressive watch industry? Perhaps it doesn’t come as a surprise considering the fact that Switzerland and Germany are so close to each other geographically.
Continue reading Complete List of German Watch Brands [German Watch Companies]
The Rolex Submariner is one of the most important and iconic watches in the world. Its iconic case shape and design can be recognized from a mile away, and having been manufactured since the 1940s, the Submariner has established itself as one of the most timeless and iconic watch designs.
Before the new year of 2020, Rolex announced it would increase the prices for all its models in 2020. The average price increase has been estimated to be about 7% across all watches in EUR price, but the actual price increase for each specific model ultimately depends on the country and the local currency.
Continue reading Rolex Retail Price List 2022 & 2023 [Price Increase Complete List]
Patek Philippe is known as one of the most exclusive and luxurious watchmakers in the world. Its watches are considered state-of-the-art, and to be truly the epitome of watchmaking. The watches of Patek Philippe are rare by nature, and for some models, you have to wait many years to get your hands on one.
Continue reading Top Facts about Patek Philippe: 37 Interesting Things you Must Know!
IWC is one of the top luxury watch companies in the world. It is also one of the most innovative luxury watchmakers today, known for pushing the boundaries, and constantly evolving with its watchmaking techniques, its designs, and its calibers. IWC has a rich history, much of which can be seen in IWC’s modern timepieces, influenced by their heritage.
It’s known for being one of the more exclusive watch companies, with top-notch quality timepieces, made with great attention to detail.
In this article, we list the top 22 most interesting facts about IWC watches which can give us an insight into what has made IWC so immensely successful, and what has built IWC’s great reputation.
IWC is a Swiss watch company but it was actually founded by an American. Of course, the name can be a little revealing, but the fact that Americans would create watch companies in Switzerland at this time was very unusual, if not non-existent.
IWCs watches are indeed made in Switzerland, however, the idea of the company didn’t come from a Swiss, as most of the other watch companies did.
Florentine Ariosto Jones was from Boston and was an American engineer and watchmaker. He traveled all the way to Switzerland in 1868 in order to put up his own watch company. He already had the name in place: “International Watch Co.”
With him, he brought his knowledge of American production techniques and aimed to combine this with the tradition of Swiss watchmaking.
The goal was to manufacture movements and watch parts for the American market, and it was clear that his goal was to go international all along, considering the company’s name.
The IWC brand is long and rich and has a great heritage which adds to the appeal of the watches today.
Most watch companies in Switzerland started in Geneva or the surrounding areas, but not IWC. In fact, IWC is the only Swiss watchmaker located in the eastern region of Switzerland.
Instead, Jones decided to put up his factory in the town of Schaffhausen. This was a long distance away from the watchmaking districts in Switzerland.
The reasons for this are several. First and foremost, Schaffhausen had modern factory facilities and was close to the Rhine, which allowed him to power the machines in his factory through a hydropower plant. Most importantly, though, was that the French-speaking areas of Switzerland were resistant to Jones’ idea of an international watch company in fear that their companies and heritage would be threatened by American industrial processes. As such, he set up his company in the German-speaking part of Switzerland.
Of course, for a watch company, this may seem odd, but the American President of IWC, Edouard D’Arbaumont actually said in a 2016 interview that “We don’t think anybody is buying our watches to tell time. It’s all about the DNA, the history of our product, and also what is behind our watches. We have to tell stories, like in the film industry.”
As such, IWCs watches are more about the exclusivity and sense of occasion they bring to the wearer, and while watches do tell the time, this makes perfect sense for all luxury watches, which many times are worn as a piece of jewelry, craftsmanship, and history.
The iconic Portugeiser watch from IWC was made for two Portuguese businessmen, and this can be seen in the name of the watch.
However, the first IWC Portuguese watch was delivered to a watch wholesaler in Odessa, Ukraine on February 22, 1939.
The businessmen who ordered the watch wanted a timepiece that would have the accuracy of marine chronometers.
In 1942, though, the first Portuguese watch would come to Portugal.
This reflected Jones’s plan to sell his watches internationally.
Back in the day, IWC made all of its watch cases in-house, but now, parts o the process has been outsourced due to the high demand for the watches, and most likely also to decrease production costs.
IWC doesn’t only make in-house movements but also purchases movements from ETA/Valjoux.
Like most luxury watch companies, IWC doesn’t reveal the total production. Before it was acquired by Richmond, the company did, and the numbers that IWC makes are relatively low due to it being an exclusive luxury watch brand.
With the increased demand, many parts of the process are done through mass production, but there are still many parts of the watchmaking process which is made by hand, such as finishing and assembly.
IWC’s motto is Probus Scafusia which means “good, solid craftsmanship from Schaffhausen“. This was established as the official motto of IWC in 1903 and a motto that still stands true for IWC today.
An error from the United States Army Air Forces caused them to drop a bomb on the town of Schaffhausen. IWC’s factory was hit by a bomb on the 1st of April 1944, but it failed to detonate.
The flames from nearby bombs, however, reached the factory, but the fire was extinguished by the company’s own fire brigade.
With its headquarters in Schaffhausen, the LMH Group was founded by the IWC director Günter Blümlein. This had a 100% stake in IWC.
The luxury goods group Richemont acquired IWC for CHF 2.8 b in July 2000.
From 1885 onwards, IWC started keeping detailed records for each and every single watch living in the factory.
This included movement, case, as well as materials. Additionally, IWC has saved spare parts for each of its models and thus claims they are able to maintain and repair every watch it has made ever since 1868.
Originally, IWC didn’t have its own factory, but IWC bought a hydroelectric company in 1875 on the banks of the Rhine. This factory had space for 300 workers to meet the expansion of the IWC brand.
The family of Johannes Rauschenbach-Vogel continued to run IWC for four generations. And eventually, it would include Dr. Carl Jung by marriage on the board of directors.
Today, IWC makes several Pilot watches that are iconic for their design and size, and in 1936, IWC made its first Pilot watch. This is the big Pilot model which is still made today.
Designed by Gerald Genta, designer of several iconic watches, s such as the Patek Philippe Nautilus and Audemars Piguet, Gerald Genta also designed the Ingenieur for IWC. Just like the other mentioned models, this was a luxury sports watch.
IWC continues to build its history and at the same time values its past with new innovations but also by paying tribute to tradition. IWC is one of the top luxury watch companies in the world, and its rich heritage and history have enabled it to establish itself as an innovative company with great attention to detail and quality. Which of these facts about IWC watches did you find most interesting?
Jaeger-LeCoultre is one of the most iconic luxury watch brands in the world. It’s not as famous as brands such as Omega and Rolex, but those who know their watches greatly value and appreciate the JLC brand due to their meticulous attention to detail, perfection, and beautiful lines. The Lecoultre watch brand has a long and rich history, and wearing a JLC watch is not like owning a watch from any of the more common luxury watch brands.
Continue reading Top Facts about Jaeger-LeCoultre: 25 Interesting Things you Must Know!
We strive to offer you an amazing customer service to make your buyer experience as great as it can be. From your initial contact to after you have your new watch on the wrist. Our number one goal is to make you so satisfied with your purchase that we get the honour of helping you with your next watch purchase. We will guide you through your whole experience with us.
Our goal is to make you feel safe throughout the purchase process. Therefore, we carefully check all our timepieces to ensure their authenticity and that everything is in its order. When buying a timepiece from us, you can be confident that it is authentic. We also value your privacy and safety, and this is why we take great measures to keep your information safe at all times.
We strive to have fair prices on all our watches. We want you to feel confident in the thought that you always get great value for your money when buying from us. Through our contacts and network of sourcing luxury watches, we can provide some of the world’s best luxury timepieces at fair and competitive prices. From us, you can buy watches from the comfort of your own home.
