IWC Schaffhausen is one of the few watch manufacturers in the German-speaking region of Switzerland. It’s also one of the few watch brands that has earned itself a permanent place in my heart. While the watchmaker has an impressive history to look back on, that’s not their only claim to fame. The brand is famous for its focus on the true essence of watchmaking: technology. IWC sees itself as a brand for techies and engineers, constantly working to innovate and improve their technologies and materials. At IWC, it’s always been about function: Luxury for its own sake isn’t the goal, IWC continuously aims to make better, more precise, and more impressive watches.
Are you also a fan? Thinking of buying an IWC watch? Speaking from plenty of experience, I can’t recommend the brand highly enough. Read on to learn more about my top four IWC models and which I wear most often.
IWC Mark XX
Most people probably think of pilot’s watches when they hear IWC. Whether equipping the Royal Air Force or the pilots in Top Gun, IWC is a renowned producer of high-end pilot’s watches. Their lineup includes eye-catching models like the hefty Big Pilot, as well as more classic options from the Mark series. The current model from the latter collection, the Mark XX, is possibly the best pilot’s watch from the current catalog. This timepiece is not only equipped with a soft iron cage that protects the movement from radiation, it also boasts an in-house caliber with a power reserve of 120 hours. Thanks to the Easy-Click system, exchanging the band is a breeze. Paired with an elegant leather strap for the office or sporty rubber on the field, the watch as versatile as can be. At 40 mm, it’s a great unisex option that lends itself to sharing – a feature I particularly love.
IWC Portofino Moonphase
The Portofino collection stands for classic, understated elegance with a tasteful Mediterranean flair. The timepieces are simple yet sophisticated, making them an ideal option for anyone looking for a high-quality watch for everyday life. I think the best Portofino is the Moonphase version. Not only does the complication exemplify simple elegance, it’s also one of the few watches where the moon phase is placed on the upper half of the dial. I actually prefer this layout, because it rightly places the moon in the sky, showcasing IWC’s love of precise technology, good design, and the wider world.
IWC Portugieser Perpetual Calendar
The IWC Portugieser Perpetual Calendar is the technical highlight of the current IWC collection. It’s not just the level of precision that is so impressive, but also its ability to take into account all the peculiarities of the Gregorian calendar over several thousand years – and the moon phase is accurate up to several million years! It’s also seamless to adjust, making it a dream to wear. The IWC Portugieser Perpetual Calendar isn’t just a technical masterpiece, it’s also an invitation to consider the generations to come and a reminder to help create a future that still has enthusiasts wanting to wear and cherish pieces like this one.
IWC Ingenieur
If you love Gérald Genta’s designs, such as the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and Patek Philippe Nautilus, you’ll be glad to know that IWC also has a classic stainless steel sports watch from Genta in its range, namely the IWC Ingenieur. This model was updated for the modern era with great attention to detail in 2023, and it’s definitely worth a closer look. The watch manages to be both classic and modern, great for men and women, and appeal to sports fans and scientists alike. In short, it’s not like every other watch out there – and that’s why I love it, especially the version with a white dial for formal occasions. I have rarely found such a perfect blend of elegance and love for technology in a single model. I think this is perhaps IWC’s most beautiful watch.
Summary
Wondering which IWC watch I wear the most? Well, it’s not actually one of the watches I consider to be best-in-brand. No, I give my Ingenieur 666 AD the most wrist time. It has the looks and technology, but above all, the history to win me over. As its name suggests, this was a watch designed for engineers. It stands as a symbol of a time when technical craftsmanship was revered. For me, mechanical watches symbolize a belief in technical progress as well as societal progress that we can all actively shape. Wearing my IWC on my wrist reminds me of just that.
