IWC boasts a long history and a variety of fascinating watch collections. And their price tags make them well suited to novice watch fans and seasoned collectors alike. But are IWC watches a good investment? In this article, we’ll look at whether IWC watches retain their value and which models are worth investing in.
Do IWC watches retain their value?
IWC has set out to produce technically sophisticated watches that can withstand the demands of everyday life. They offer a large variety of collections, allowing you to choose from watches in different designs, styles, and materials. Thanks in particular to their collaboration with Formula 1, IWC is known for their excellent knowledge of material processing and technology.
The value and price of a watch generally depends on a variety of factors like the materials used, availability, and the number or type of complications. Like pretty much all luxury watch manufacturers, IWC produces its watches in limited quantities each year. However, you likely won’t encounter long waiting lists, and can generally get any current IWC model without a problem. As a result, the brand’s watches normally don’t sell on the secondary market for significantly more than their list prices. Prices either drop slightly or not at all after purchase.
Another positive influence on the value retention of IWC watches is the brand’s commitment to producing timepieces for posterity. This means that IWC watches are truly made to last for centuries. It also means that the manufacturer accepts all its watches for service – no matter how old or damaged a piece may be. IWC always does everything in its power to restore a watch to a condition in which the wearer can enjoy it again, and thus to a condition that preserves its value.
In terms of value appreciation, it’s mostly limited editions and vintage watches – that is, models that aren’t available anymore – that fetch good prices. With the timeless designs and good workmanship of these watches, you’ll easily find a buyer.
We’ve rounded up some models that we think are worth keeping an eye on:
For Enthusiasts: IWC Tribute to Pallweber
In commemoration of their 150th anniversary, the brand released an homage to the famous IWC pocket watch, the Pallweber. The Tribute to Pallweber shows how perfectly IWC has mastered the art of watchmaking. Jumping hours and seconds, small seconds at 6 o’clock, a manual caliber with Geneva stripes – this watch has everything a watch fan could desire. Since it was limited to just a few hundred pieces, it became a collector’s piece as soon as it was released in 2018. We’re sure that demand, and thus prices, for this beautiful watch will only increase as time goes by.
For Dreamers: IWC Mark XVIII Le Petit Prince
More than any other watch type, IWC enjoys a special connection with pilot’s watches. That’s why it makes sense to choose a true classic, like the Le Petit Prince Edition. You get two for one with this pilot’s watch – the beauty of the blue dial and the Little Prince engraved on the case back, as well as a coveted collector’s item that is sure to increase in value in the years to come. After all, fans of watches and Saint-Exupéry will be around for many years to come – and so will people who want to buy this timepiece.
For Traditionalists: IWC Da Vinci Perpetual calendar
When it comes to investing in watches, pieces with complications are often recommended. Perpetual calendars, for example, are highly sought after and thus barely affordable for the average consumer. But not with IWC – the IWC Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar is available online at affordable prices. With a bit of luck, you’ll even find a model from the last millennium. With these older models, we can safely assume that the years of depreciation immediately after purchase are already over, and we can count on significant appreciation in the next 10 years. And in these 10 years, we can enjoy wearing an elegant perpetual calendar on our wrist. Thanks to its moderate diameter, this watch is suited to wrists of all sizes.
For Speculators: IWC Ingenieur
And finally, a tip for the speculators among us: the new IWC Ingenieur. It remains to be seen how the value of this watch will develop, as it’s only been on the market in its current form for a year. But there are a number of reasons to believe that it will soon see a huge increase in value. For one, it owes its look to design legend Genta, and other watches he’s designed are currently more sought after than ever (think of the Patek Philippe Nautilus or the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak). At the same time, the first year or two after release is typically the time when you’ll see the lowest resale prices. So if you have a penchant for risk-taking and legendary design, keep an eye out for the Ingenieur of your dreams.
Summary
Along with the models we’ve mentioned here, there are many other IWC watches that are worth looking at. Unfortunately, we don’t have a crystal ball and can’t look into the future and predict the value of watches with absolute certainty. Nevertheless, we’re going to make this prediction: Anyone who chooses their IWC dream watch and wears it is often making the best investment a watch lover can make. No matter what happens to the watch’s value, you can be sure of the priceless return – the joy of wearing an inspiring timepiece on your wrist every day.
