International Watch Company (IWC) Watches
The International Watch Company (IWC) is the only major Swiss watch company whose founder was an American. A Swiss group acquired three American companies; which had, had great success popularizing pocket watches, but had since fallen on hard times. In 1868 the Swiss consortium was bought out by American stockholder Johannes Raschenbach-Vogel. Vogel oversaw the development of the Caliber 52 movement.
IWC's current CEO, Michael Sarp, has said, "We shall produce watches of the highest quality with unique technical and design characteristics and thus continue to experience the pleasures of innovation." IWC lives up to this ideal.
Warranty
IWC products (except the case, buttons), band and battery) are warranted by IWC, to the original purchaser, to be free from defects in material and workmanship under normal use for a period of two years from the date of purchase.
International Watch Company (IWC) Product Line
The IWC Portuguese Split-seconds Chrono (model 3712-002) features hand winding, with a mechanical chronograph movement. The subdials display a split-seconds hand and small seconds, with a stop function. The silver Arabic dial is framed by a stainless steel case. Water resistant to 100 feet, this watch has a suggested retail price of $9234.
The IWC Portofino Automatic Watch (model 3533-006 is pictured) features mechanical movement and a self-winding mechanism. The black dial is framed by a stainless steel case. Water-resistant to 100 feet, this retails for $2947.
The IWC Pilot's Watch Chronograph Automatic (model 3706-001) is stainless steel with a black crocodile leather strap. The self winding mechanical chronograph has a small seconds subdial with stop function and a day and date indicator. This men's gem retails for $3400.
IWC Pilot's Watch Spitfire Chronograph Automatic watch (model 3706-026) has a mechanical chronograph with automatic movement, displaying small seconds with stop function, day and date. The movement is Calibre IWC 7922, 28800/h vibrations. This watch also has a 44 hour power reserve, 25 jewels and an inner case made of antimagnetic soft iron, water resistant to 200 feet. It is listed for $4300.
Other IWC Series
The DaVinci watch is a perpetual calendar, chronograph, wristwatch mechanically programmed for the next 500 years. Il Destriero watch was also a shockingly complex International Watch Company release in 1993.
