IWC
Schaffhausen, Switzerland · Est. 1868
Founded by Florentine Ariosto Jones
IWC Schaffhausen was founded in 1868 by American engineer Florentine Ariosto Jones, who chose Schaffhausen for its water-powered machinery — making it the only major watch brand in German-speaking Switzerland. Now part of Richemont, IWC is known for its Portugieser, Pilot's Watch, and Aquatimer collections, and for producing large, technically accomplished complications.
- Founded
- 1868
- Headquarters
- Schaffhausen, Switzerland
- Group
- Richemont
- Price Segment
- Luxury
- Status
- Active
Key Collections
- Pilot's Watches — Aviation-inspired line rooted in IWC's 1930s cockpit instruments.
- Portugieser — Large, clean-dial dress and chronograph watches originating from a 1939 marine deck order.
- Portofino — Slim, classical dress line introduced in 1984.
- Ingenieur — Anti-magnetic sports watch line, revived in 2023 with Gérald Genta's 1976 SL design.
- Aquatimer — Dive watch collection first launched in 1967.
Timeline
- 2025 — Debuts the Ingenieur Perpetual Calendar 41 at Watches & Wonders 2025 — the first combination of the Genta Ingenieur design with Kurt Klaus's perpetual calendar. Introduces industry-first triple-finished zirconium oxide ceramic on the Ingenieur Automatic 42.
Frequently Asked Questions about IWC
- Where is IWC based?
- IWC is headquartered in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, where it has operated since 1868.
- What is IWC best known for?
- IWC is best known for its Pilot's Watches and Portugieser lines, along with chronographs, perpetual calendars and other complications.
- Who owns IWC?
- IWC Schaffhausen has been part of the Richemont Group since 2000.