Three of the world’s leading luxury watch brands including IWC Schaffhausen, Panerai, and Jaeger-LeCoultre announced today the opening of their first boutiques in San Francisco at the Westfield San Francisco Centre and Westfield Valley Fair. This significant series of openings underlines the importance of the Golden Gate City as a West Coast hub not only of technology and commerce but also of watch collecting and fine watch culture. Never before have local clients experienced first-hand each brand’s unique lifestyle and culture the way it is possible through an immersive boutique.
Posts filed under IWC
Watches & Wonders 2020: IWC Portugieser Yacht Club Moon and Tide
The Portugieser Yacht Club Moon & Tide features a tide display that keeps you informed about the next high water. It is possible thanks to a special wheel train that translates the rhythm of the hours into the constantly shifting chronological sequence of high and low water. The Greek mariner Pytheas recognized the link between this natural phenomenon and the moon as early as the fourth century B.C. It is particularly noticeable at the coast that the moon visible at high tide is almost at the same place in the sky again at the next but one high tide.
Watches & Wonders 2020: IWC Portugieser Perpetual Calendar 'Boutique Edition' and Portugieser Perpetual Calendar 42
For the first time, the famous IWC calendar complication is integrated into an IWC-manufactured movement from the 82000-calibre family. The new IWC Portugieser Perpetual Calendar 42 ref. IW3442 which has a diameter of 42 mm, displays the calendar information on three subdials. IWC is also unveiling a boutique edition of the iconic 44 mm Portugieser Perpetual Calendar in 18K Armor Gold. No other complication expresses IWC’s values quite as eloquently as the perpetual calendar developed by legendary watchmaker Kurt Klaus in the 1980s.
Rare Bird: IWC Aquatimer Chronograph Galápagos Islands Edition
One of the coolest watches out there and one of our favorite almost blacked out timepieces is the IWC Aquatimer Chronograph Galapagos Islands Edition ref. IW376705. This timepiece is the first watch in the industry to be fully coated in rubber since the release of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Rubber Clad that came out in 2002 with only its bezel coated in rubber. The Aquatimer Chronograph Galapagos features a 44 mm stainless steel vulcanized in black rubber making it a totally stealthy watch. Released in 2009, this watch made a statement about a new partnership for the environment when IWC signed an agreement with the Charles Darwin Foundation.
News: IWC, Panerai and A. Lange & Söhne Open Boutiques in Chicago. A First for all three Brands.
IWC, Panerai and A. Lange & Söhne announced today the opening of their new boutiques in Chicago. Situated in Chicago’s coveted Gold Coast Historic District, all three storefronts will be centrally located in the heart of the city at the famed Waldorf Astoria, just a few steps away from Oak Street Beach. This key city is a first for all three brands who have chosen to set down roots in America’s third most populous city because of the passionate collector community and rich culture. At nearly 10 million inhabitants, ‘The Windy City’ attracts an average of 35 million visitors every year. The three boutiques are located at 11 East Walton Street, at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, and will be operated by Burdeen’s Jewelry. Burdeen’s has served the Chicago area since 1980.
News: Presenting the IWC Big Pilot's Watch Right-Hander. A 250-Piece Limited Edition.
In a first for the company, IWC Schaffhausen has released a new version of its coveted Big Pilot’s Watch to be worn on the right wrist. This special edition of the classic IWC is the Big Pilot’s Watch Edition “Right-hander.” Featuring a new twist, the positioning of the iconic, conical-shaped crown, which is located on the left-hand side of the case. The “Right-hander” is much more practical to operate for those who wear their watch on the right wrist. Given that almost 40% of pilots are thought to be left-handed, and therefore wear their watches on the right, it is a fitting development for this IWC line, which has such a rich history in the field of aviation.
News: IWC Supports the Cousteau Divers Society to Reveal Ocean's Temperatures
On World Oceans Day, IWC Schaffhausen announces its support for a pioneering environmental project, spearheaded by its partner, Cousteau Divers. Cousteau Divers intends to study the effects of climate change by measuring the temperature beneath the ocean’s surface, combining data from precision sensors with measurements taken by thousands of recreational divers. The goal is to give scientists a better understanding of how the ocean’s temperature affects biodiversity and climate.
Insider: IWC Big Pilot's Watch Perpetual Calendar 'Rodeo Drive' Edition. Even Better than the Top Gun Perpetual.
Rewriting history and comparable in terms of wrist presence with the uniqueness of one of the coolest and sportiest perpetual calendars out there, the IWC Big Pilot's Watch Perpetual Calendar 'Rodeo Drive' Edition ref. IW503001 is an even much sexier watch than its predecessor the IWC Big Pilot’s Top Gun Perpetual Calendar in black ceramic. Also fitted with a matte black ceramic case but this time with a gorgeous navy blue dial this complicated Pilot's Watch acquires a very unique character.
SIHH 2019: IWC Big Pilot’s Constant Force Tourbillon ‘Le Petit Prince’ Platinum. Live Pictures & Pricing.
Since 2005, IWC has been in collaboration with the family of French aviator and author, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. This partnership has already seen a variety of special editions launched within the Pilot’s Watches collection. While some pay tribute to the life and accomplishments of the great humanist himself, others are dedicated to his most famous literary work "The Little Prince" —Le Petit Prince. These timepieces, characterized by their distinctive midnight blue dials, have been a highly regarded addition to the Pilot’s Watch collections since 2013. At the SIHH 2019, added some exclusive models to this line including the new Big Pilot’s Watch Constant Force Tourbillon Edition ‘Le Petit Prince’ ref. IW590302 in platinum —also available in hard gold.
SIHH 2019: IWC Pilot’s Watch Timezoner Spitfire Edition "The Longest Flight" ref. IW395501. Live Pictures & Pricing.
Centered around the The Spitfire designed by Reginald J. Mitchell —one of the most sophisticated developments in the history of aviation—, IWC launched several new watches in their Pilot’s Spitfire Watch collection to honor this aircraft and the Longest Flight Project. Just like the legendary British fighter aircraft which is the result of a perfectly functional design, so is the new IWC Pilot’s Watch Timezoner Spitfire Edition "The Longest Flight" ref. IW395501. While the watch doesn’t come with any elliptical wings like the plane in question, the Timezoner —originally launched in a Chrono version for the SIHH 2016— is also easy to maneuver with its unique silhouette and bezel that controls the world timer complication.
SIHH 2019: IWC Pilot's Watch Chronograph Top Gun Edition 'Mojave Desert'. Live Pictures & Pricing.
Amongst the many novelties released by IWC, all of them with focus on the Pilot’s Watch line including the Spitfire and the Big Pilot’s, one of our favorites from the SIHH 2019 is the IWC Pilot's Watch Chronograph Top Gun Edition 'Mojave Desert' with its sand colored ceramic case –a first for the brand. Limited to 500 pieces, this watch could’ve clearly come straight from Operation Desert Storm with its very appealing and unique color hue. Sporting a sand colored dial and sand colored fabric strap, the new IWC ‘Mojave Desert’ is a tribute to the home of the Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake —the largest land area of the U.S. Navy— and the color of the uniforms worn by Navy Pilots.
Pre-SIHH 2019: New Range of IWC Pilot's Watches Just Unveiled. Four Very Good Looking New Watches.
A whole new range of IWC Pilot’s watches was just unveiled at the Goodwood Aerodome in the U.K. in preparation for the SIHH 2019 —Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie. Our friends from Schaffhausen will be presenting a new Spitfire line, a new Top Gun line and "Le Petit Prince" special editions. For the Spitfire line, all watches are fitted with IWC-manufactured calibres to celebrate the unique engineering of the British fighter aircraft. Within the Top Gun collection IWC will be featuring their new exclusive material named Ceratanium for their first ever completely jet black Pilot’s Watch. Among the products to be unveiled by IWC the ‘Le Petite Prince’ Editions will be the first Pilot's Watch to feature a constant-force tourbillon and the first case to be made from hard gold.
News: IWC Schaffhausen Inaugurates Its New ManufakturZentrum. A State-of-the-Art Very Modern Facility.
Last week, IWC Schaffhausen marked the inauguration of its new Manufakturzentrum with a celebration. The official opening of the new production plant for movement components, manufacture movements and cases is a milestone in the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer's 150-year history. In its new production plant, over an area spanning 13,500 square meters, the Schaffhausen-based watch manufacturer brings together the production of movement components, manufacture movements and cases under one roof —a milestone in the company's 150-year history.
News: IWC Presents Two New Portugieser Watches. A Perpetual Calendar and an Automatic Model.
Today June 1, 2018, IWC has released two new watches to expand its Portugieser collection. A new Portugieser Perpetual Calendar in platinum and a new Portugieser Automatic Time/Date in stainless steel. Both watches are fitted with silver-plated dials, rhodium-plated hands and equipped with Santoni black alligator straps. The reference numbers are IW503406 for the perpetual calendar and IW500712 for the automatic. Both watches are already available for sale as of today via the IWC website or their ADs.
Eye Candy: IWC Portugieser Perpetual Calendar Tourbillon Edition “150 Years”. Uniting a Perpetual Calendar from Kurt Klaus with a Tourbillon on the Dial.
With the Portugieser Perpetual Calendar Tourbillon Edition “150 Years”, IWC combines the legendary perpetual calendar created by Kurt Klaus with a tourbillon on the dial for the first time. This masterpiece of watchmaking is available in a limited edition of 50 watches. It has an 18K red gold case, a white dial with a lacquered finish, and blued hands. To make the tourbillon visible at 12 o’clock, the designers opened up the calendar advance ring and integrated the moon phase in the month display at 6 o’clock.
News: IWC Pilot's Watch Mark XVIII 'Laureus Sport for Good Foundation'. A Limited Edition of 1,500 Pieces.
At the occasion of the 2018 Laureus World Sports Awards in Monaco, IWC has just released new watch with a case made of black ceramic. This new IWC Pilot's Watch Mark XVIII 'Laureus Sport for Good Foundation' features a blue dial and a special engraving on the case back. This is now, the 12th special edition timepiece released after the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation by IWC Schaffhausen. The new Pilot’s Watch Mark XVIII Edition 'Laureus Sport for Good Foundation' ref. IW324703 comes in a 41 mm black ceramic case and is available in an individually numbered limited edition of 1,500 pieces.
Insider: IWC Portugieser Constant Force Tourbillon '150 Years' Limited Edition. Hands-on with the Quarter-Million Dollar Watch from Schaffhausen.
For the first time in an IWC watch, the Portugieser Constant-Force Tourbillon Edition “150 Years” combines a constant-force tourbillon with a single moonphase display. Available in a limited edition of 15 pieces for each dial variants and cased in a generous but very elegant platinum case measuring 46 mm in diameter, one can choose between a blue lacquered dial ref. IW590203 or a white lacquered one ref. IW5902002. Featuring a dial that seems a little busy at first, the constant force tourbillon takes the center stage at 9 o'clock.
SIHH 2018: IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Big Date Edition “150 Years” ref. IW5105. A 100-Piece Limited Edition that is Simply Stunning.
Available in either white lacquered or blue lacquered dial comes the new IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Big Date Edition “150 Years”. This is the first time that IWC presents a Pilot’s Watch with a double date display featuring large numerals at 12 o'clock. Available in a limited edition of 100 watches for each dial color, the new Big Pilot’s Watch Big Date Edition comes with a stainless steel case measuring the same 46.2 mm as the previous iterations of this watch and featuring a soft-iron solid case back with small opening.
SIHH 2018: IWC Tribute to Pallweber Edition “150 Years” ref. IW5050. Live Pictures & Pricing.
Celebrating its 150th Anniversary, IWC released 27 new timepieces during the SIHH 2018 —Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie— last week. With new watches within the Portugieser, Portofino, Pilot's and Da Vinci collections, IWC marks this occasion, also launching its first-ever wristwatch to feature the original digital hours and minute display as it appeared on the Pallweber pocket watches back in 1884.
Insider: IWC Ingenieur Chronograph Racer ref. IW378508. Our Favorite Ingenieur Ever.
The IWC Ingenieur was originally launched in 1944 and since then, it has experienced several changes and major redesigns. Today, even though the IWC Ingenieur Chronograph Racer ref. IW378508 has been discontinued, it remains our favorite Ingenieur ever. Released in 2013 as the result of the collaboration between IWC and the Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team, the IWC Ingenieur Chrono Racer ref. IW378508 maintains the essence of the original iconic Ingenieur design with a much more robust construction.
