Why Buy An IWC Watch?
If you are in the market for a new luxury watch, there are few brands as striking, trusted, and all-around exceptional as IWC Schaffhausen. This iconic Swiss watch brand is renowned for being an elite timepiece with incredible accuracy; employing some of the world’s most skilled Swiss watchmaker professionals to develop intricate movements with the finest core materials.
IWC Schaffhausen watches are still made by hand with their parts largely crafted in-house; a rarity in modern watchmaking. Harkening back to the time of their founding, the assembly of each IWC watch is meticulously overseen to ensure the finest finished product.
At CJ Charles, we have a myriad of IWC watches for sale. We also offer pre owned IWC watches, as the elite brand also specializes in limited edition watches - making their timepieces a true rarity. Read our blog post about IWC vs Rolex for more information on the brand.
Before we get too ahead of ourselves, let’s address the elephant in the room. No one can tell you whether you should or shouldn’t buy a watch, especially an elite luxury timepiece. But, if you have the interest, desire, and means to procure an IWC, there are worse things to spend your money on.
Before we get into all of the reasons you should absolutely indulge and buy yourself a new IWC watch, let’s first gain some insight as to who IWC is and why their watches are considered to be some of the world’s best.
Who is IWC? - A Quick Overview
So who is IWC and is IWC a good watch brand? Also known as IWC Schaffhausen, this brand is the king of collector's watches in large part due to their limited edition watches. IWC Schaffhausen is a true tour-de-force for creating stunning watches that combine their exquisite history with modern technology.
IWC brand is committed to using only the finest core materials with seamless mechanisms that reflect the most incredible innovations in modern horology. IWC offers a large catalog of watches made for everyday wear, making them a very approachable luxury brand all while retaining their elite status.
What Does IWC Stand For?
Very simply IWC stands for “International Watch Company.” While many refer to IWC Schaffhausen as “IWC” for short, the International Watch Company has used IWC, Schaffhausen, and IWC Schaffhausen interchangeably since its inception.
While the nicknames may intermingle with the official formal name of IWC, the fact remains that this is one of the most trusted names in watchmaking. IWC is lauded for its ability to create watches that not only withstand the test of time but revel in its passing. From the durability of the external components to the impeccable intricacies within, IWC Schaffhausen stands for quality, durability, and precision above all else.
A Quick History Of IWC
IWC Schaffhausen began as the International Watch Company in 1868 when it was founded by an American named Florentine Ariosto Jones. Florentine was a Bostononian watchmaker who set out to create Swiss-made timepieces specifically for the American market.
In an effort to capture the allure of his home country, Florentine ensured that his watches were made to be rugged, simple, and durable. Though the company was founded before the development of the wristwatch, Florentine's pocket watches achieved what he had envisioned and became a staple watch in the US.
The first IWC wristwatch, intended to be worn by women, was made in 1899. From the creation of their first wristwatch, Schaffhausen followed the watchmaking industry into the turn of the century and the wristwatch boom of the 1900s. Over 150 years after its creation IWC Schaffhausen is still making impeccable watches for an ever-expanding luxury watch market.
Now that we have a better understanding of who IWC Schaffhausen is as a company, here's what you can expect when you buy an IWC watch:
Timeless Design
No pun intended here. This specific brand of luxury timepiece is known for being iconic and timeless. Watches with the IWC mark tend to be understated in all the right ways, keeping their designs simple but elegant. There is a tasteful simplicity that comes standard with an IWC watch as this brand tends to value what’s inside the watch instead of what’s on the outside.
Quality and Craftsmanship
While the simplicity of design tends to be a trademark feature of IWC brand watches, the complexities of the internal workings are world-renowned.
IWC's focus on the internal mechanism of their watches is partially what makes them so valuable as they have been graded as one of the most accurate timepieces ever created.
IWC Schaffhausen watches are all still handmade in Switzerland, and many of their components and complications are made in-house. As is the case with multiple world-famous watchmakers.
A Stunning Status Symbol
When purchasing a new luxury watch, you want to make sure that you are investing in something people will take notice of. After all, this isn't just a beater watch you put on when going for a jog. IWC Schaffhausen has long been regarded as the luxury watch brand for quiet sophistication. Not too flashy, but certainly noticeable, IWC offers its patrons the best of both worlds.
Whether you consider yourself a flashy person or not, wearing a luxury wristwatch demands certain attention. With that said, if you are someone who wants to be taken seriously IWC's understated elegance is the perfect way to display your status without calling attention to it in an obnoxious fashion.
IWC Schaffhausen carries with it recognition and respect that will garner the appreciation of fellow watch aficionados as well as the admiration of jewelry lovers. What the IWC will never do is upstage you as an individual by drawing too much attention to itself.
Durability: Land, Air, and Sea
IWC Schaffhausen is a favorite of pilots, divers, and motor enthusiasts due to the supreme durability, and impeccable accuracy of these watches.
IWC has five main categories of watches, which are:
IWC Pilot Watch
IWC timepiece pilot styles are worn and used by Pilots because of its multiple complications that include a Chronograph. If you are interested in learning how to use a chronograph watch or are asking, “what is a pilot watch,” we’ve written about these topics in detail on our blog.
IWC Aquatimer
A dive watch that is beloved by divers, sailors, and watermen of all types
IWC Portugieser
This IWC timepiece is An icon in watchmaking due to its crisp and timeless design
IWC Ingenieur
This watch blends sportiness and elegance giving it a great deal of versatility
IWC Portofino
A sophisticated and elegant timepiece representing the lifestyle of the Mediterranean
IWC Da Vinci
Known for its high complications and perfectly blended design
The Cost
The final consideration when looking into purchasing a new IWC watch is the price tag. Whether you're looking at an IWC pilots watch IWC Portugieser, or Aquatimer divers watch, you're probably wondering how much their run. Rest assured you will get what you pay for, but you will have to part with some hard-earned spending money. IWC Schaffhausen ranges in price from $4000 - $13,000, but their high-end watches and limited edition pieces come with a much steeper price tag.
While the cost of any new luxury watch is a determining factor in your decision to buy, the reality is that as far as luxury watches go IWC Schaffhausen is similarly priced to its luxury watch counterparts. The biggest difference between IWC Schaffhausen and a different luxury watch brand is their ability to blend function and design while still keeping the integrity of the internal components, which makes IWC a must-buy for those who prioritize well-made watches.
The Answer? Yes, You Should Buy A Schaffhausen
No one can tell you whether or not you should or shouldn’t buy a watch, but the associates at CJ Charles can certainly help you during the discernment process. Our team of experts is ready and waiting to help you find the watch of your dreams, especially if that watch is an IWC Schaffhausen. If you have the means to do so, then by all means buy yourself an IWC Schaffhausen watch.