IWC

Following the launch of the redesigned Mark XVIII collection last year at SIHH 2016, this year, IWC has released a follow-up to that collection in the form of a Tribute to the Mark XI, based on the company’s famous Pilot’s watch the debuted in 1948 (which was also produced by Jaeger-LeCoultre). The original Mark 11s, which comes in a 36 mm case, can still be found, and based on a cursory search the prices are around $6000-$8000. Originally designated for military use in the late 1940s, the Mark XI is arguably IWC’s most collectible timepiece. As with many of the classic watches from the 1940s to 1970s, the current trend is to remake these models so modern day collectors and enthusiasts can enjoy the timeless designs that still have appeal today. Like the Mark XVIII collection launched last year, this

This is an International Watch Co dress watch from 1960, featuring an elegant 36 mm diameter 18K pink gold case with unique “shark fin” lugs. The ivory colored dial is slightly curved and has applied pink gold Arabic numerals at 12, 3, 6, 9 – with two baton hour indices in between each numeral. The outer chapter ring features pink gold dots. Pink gold lance-shaped hour and minute hands indicate the time along with a baton-shaped central second hand. “International Watch Co.” is printed in black on the dial in a vintage cursive font at twelve. Setting the time and winding the movement is controlled by the flat, ridged, 18K pink gold crown. The caseback is solid, curved, polished, and unsigned. The in-house IWC Schaffhausen manufactured manually wound caliber 89 movement – which was used in multiple 1950s and 1960s

Here we are once again. It’s that time of the year where watch lovers have plenty to be excited about with the New Year coming closer which simply means new and exciting watches to come. In true form, many manufacturers have already begun showing off some hardware and based on what has already been revealed, it doesn’t seem like the widespread speculation about the weakening watch industry has affected anything at least from a release standpoint, especially with IWC. For the IWC faithful, it was definitely a long time coming. In case you might haven’t the slightest idea of what I mean, I’m happy to report that Da Vinci is the focus of 2017 which was actually a last minute game time decision according to IWC insiders. Maybe it has something to do with Georges Kern stepping down as CEO

Sequential One S110 Skull The Sequential One – S110 Skull, is a 10-piece limited series available in four versions: all-black, green accents, yellow accents, or aluminum color accents. The skull is made of ultra-thin lightweight aluminum, which the company says “remains light enough to accompany the hour-change ballet, successively revealing one of the brand’s four iconic rotating modules.” This limited edition was unveiled at the opening of the “Salón Internacional Alta Relojería 2016” in Mexico, birthplace of the famous “Festival of Skulls” (Calaveras) tradition. FP Journe Centigraphe Souverain Anniversaire Limited Series The Anniversary Centigraphe Souverain was created to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of each F.P.Journe Boutique. An exclusive edition for each boutique comes in a 40 mm polished titanium case, with a ruthenium dial with sapphire registers, and 18K rose gold crown and rocker (to operate the chronograph), and a

When IWC purchased the rights to watchmaker Vogard’s intellectual property in November 2014 – production of a watch utilizing the newly acquired world time bezel patent was all but guaranteed. We even speculated, at the time, that the watchmakers in Schaffhausen might somehow use their own Aquatimer dive bezel technology in combination with the patent technology from Vogard. Fast forward to 2016 and IWC did just that – by combining their own dive bezel design with the Vogard world timer design. The result is a timepiece that allows you to change the timezone by merely pressing down on the bezel and rotating to your desired city (24 world time zones). This is an improvement over the Vogard world time zone bezel, which requires the extra step of having to a release a large lever before making time zone adjustments. Further

First introduced in 2012, the Top Gun Miramar line has become a staple within the IWC Pilot’s collection. This year, in addition to updated versions of the existing models being introduced, there is an all new Mark XVIII Top Gun Miramar timepiece at the entry-level. All new to the Mark XVIII collection is a fully polished 41 mm ceramic case. The size and look are great, and it is safe to say these will sell well. However, we would like to see a matte ceramic case option as well. Nevertheless, purists have been asking for smaller diameter watches, and IWC has delivered. Like the original Top Gun Miramar models, minutes and seconds are read off the main chapter ring, and hours are shown on the inner chapter ring, in red. The military/aviation inspired dial design historically focused on minutes and

Today, IWC took the wraps off their new Mark XVIII Pilot’s watch, which we teased earlier this month in our SIHH IWC Pilot’s watch preview. As previously mentioned, the triple date has been eliminated in favor of a standard date aperture, giving the dial a cleaner look. The case is now 40 mm, down from 41 mm. There is a new triangular index at 12 o’clock. And the Arabic numeral “9” has been brought back. The three standard versions come in a black dial with Santoni calfskin strap, black dial with beaded steel bracelet, and white dial with Santoni calfskins strap (Ref. IW327001/IW327002/IW327011). There are also two additional references: the Edition “Le Petit Prince” Pilot’s Watch Mark XVIII (Ref. IW327004), with a midnight blue dial, and the Top Gun Miramar. The retail price is $3,950 on a strap and $4,950

Overview At SIHH 2016, later this month, IWC will officially unveil their new Pilot’s collection. There will be over 20 new references, inspired by historic IWC Pilot’s watches. Today we have a preview of the three most notable references, as well as a teaser of one more (the new Mark XVIII). The Big Pilot’s Heritage Watch 48 (Ref. IW510301) The Big Pilot’s Heritage Watch 48 (shown at top) is inspired by the historic observer’s watch with its large case, oversized propeller-like hands, and riveted calfskin straps. The case is in titanium with a soft-iron inner case to protect against magnetic fields. The Pilot’s Watch Automatic 36 (Ref. 3240) Appealing to entry-level budgets, and smaller wrists, the new Pilot’s Watch Automatic 36 comes in a 36 mm stainless steel case. It is shown with a slate dial, and it is also

First IWC Pilot’s watch. Calibre 53, no official reference (1896) This 14-carat pocket watch case in yellow gold with its IWC-manufactured 53-19’’’ calibre movement was sold by IWC Schaffhausen on 11 December 1896 to IWC retailer A. Kohler from Leipzig. German Albert Lotter inherited the watch from his father in 1916. During the following years, the watch and its owner witnessed the historical milestones of the 20th century in Saxony and Berlin. IWC Big Pilot’s Watch 1940. Calibre 52 T.S.C., Ref. IW436 (1940) The Big Pilot’s Watch was supplied to the Luftwaffe (German Air Force) in 1940 in an edition of 1,000 pieces. The “big device” constructed according to the criteria for an observer’s watch is the biggest wristwatch ever built by IWC, with a case diameter of 55 mm, a height of 16.5 mm and a weight of 183

Mono-brand boutiques are continually being built by the world’s top watchmakers – which is a strategy that does not seem to be curtailing anytime soon. One of the most interesting new boutiques is IWC’s recently inaugurated flagship boutique on Rodeo Drive, in Beverly Hills. IWC has had a store on Rodeo since 2008, but this store is much larger – and more extravagant. Further, the store will celebrate “IWC’s American heritage and its passion for and commitment to film. This celebration begins with the architecture, referen­cing the golden age of Hollywood of the 1920s and 1930s through an architectural blend of art deco and classic modernism and with the distinctive air of Hollywood glamour. Art deco detailing, period features and an architecture bathed both in natural light and light shades are all reminiscent of the design of classic movie theatres.