IWC Schaffhausen Watches

Purchasing an IWC International Watch Company timepiece means choosing the prestige and watchmaking mastery of the Maison, which, since its founding, has combined the most advanced engineering technologies with extraordinary Swiss artisanal expertise. Astrua 1860, an authorised IWC Schaffhausen retailer, offers access to a wide selection of models from the IWC catalogue, offering both the latest arrivals and the great IWC classics.

 

 

The IWC Schaffhausen Pilot's Watches collection

 

The IWC Schaffhausen Pilot's Watches collection is designed to be reliable in the most demanding situations. The name 'Pilot', and the series itself, originated in 1936with the intention of meeting the needs of aviators with watches capable of withstanding extreme flight conditions. These watch creations were essential instruments for pilots in the days of aviation: they were used to monitor flight times, navigation and to estimate fuel consumption.

 

The dial, with clearly visible hour markers and luminescent hands, ensures instant readability in all conditions, confirming its aeronautical spirit.

 

A descendant of this series is the TOP GUN line, created in 2007 in honour of the Navy Fighter Weapons School, when IWC became the official licensee of the US Navy. The watches in the TOP GUN range are crafted from Ceratanium®, a material that combines the best properties of ceramic with the characteristics of titanium. The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 TOP GUN Ceratanium® is the first Pilot's chronograph to be made entirely of this material, from the case to the crown to the push-buttons, with a total black look obtained by baking the components.

 

The Big Pilot's Watch Perpetual Calendar TOP GUN Woodland (Ref: IW503101) combines military aesthetics and functionality. The matt green ceramic 46.5 mm case is scratch and corrosion resistant, houses the Calibre 52616 movement, and is water-resistant up to 10 bar. This timepiece features a perpetual calendar complication with moon phases for both hemispheres, as well as day, month and year displays. The double barrel ensures arunning time of 7 days.

 

 

The IWC Schaffhausen Aquatimer collection

 

The Aquatimer collection was created in 1967 for diving enthusiasts. Its name reflects its function as an underwater chronometer. Equipped with a rotating bezel and water resistance to great depths, these watches are designed to measure time during deep dives.

 

TheAquatimer Chronograph Edition "Expedition Charles Darwin" Ref: IW379503 pays tribute to scientific exploration. Powered by the automatic Calibre 89365, it provides a 68-hour power reserve and a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, offering the highest precision timekeeping. Designed for dives down to 300 metres, it incorporates the SafeDive system, which prevents accidental adjustment of the rotating bezel. In honour of the naturalist and geologist Charles Darwin, the bronze case is embellished with an engraving of his portrait on the case back.

 

 

The History of IWC Schaffhausen

 

Founded in 1868 by American engineer Florentine Ariosto Jones at Schaffhausen, IWC Schaffhausen has succeeded in combining the efficiency of American industrial techniques with the quality of Swiss craftsmanship. Under the leadership of the Rauschenbach family, the brand rapidly expanded its global presence.

 

Since 2000, IWC has been part of the Richemont Group, continuing its evolution without renouncing its Swiss nature. Today, it is renowned for its mechanical solutions and craftsmanship that set it apart as one of the world's most prestigious brands.

 

 

Progress and technology: the beating heart of IWC Schaffhausen

 

With the use of innovative materials and complex hand-assembled movements, every IWC watch is a masterpiece. The Swiss brand's main distinguishing features include:

 

Advanced materials: the brand has developed Ceratanium;, a material that combines the lightness of titanium and the strength of ceramic, with an exceptional result.

 

Mechanical sophistication: an example is the Portugieser Eternal Calendar Ref. IW505701, powered by calibre 52640, with a running capacity of 7 days. Its secular perpetual calendar automatically adapts to changes in the Gregorian calendar up to the year 3999, while the moon-phase indications express its engineering excellence.

 

Automatic movement with Pellaton system and 7-day power reserve: designed to offer exceptional autonomy, it accumulates a 7-day power reserve in two barrels. it was introduced with the 5000 calibre and later adopted in the Big Pilot's Watch.

 

The innovative hemisphere moon phase display systemprovides a unique astronomical display. Thanks to the double moon phase, the lunar status can be viewed simultaneously for thenorthern and southern hemispheres. This technology is applied in some models of the Portugieser Perpetual Calendar.

 

Flying Tourbillon combined with retrograde date : a complication that combines aesthetics and advanced technology, debuted in the Portugieser Tourbillon Mystère Rétrograde and present in the Portugieser Tourbillon Rétrograde Chronograph..

 

Manual Calibre with 8-day autonomy: the 59210 movement guarantees a long autonomy while maintaining a slim and elegant profile, as seen in the Portofino Hand-Wound Eight Days.

 

The internal anti-magnetic case made of soft iron, which, like the Ingenieur Automatic 40 model and in line with the technical tradition, protects the movement from magnetic fields, reflects the decisive aesthetic codes of the iconic designer Genta, combined with the highest standards of ergonomics, finishing and technology.

 

External-internal rotating bezel and mechanical depth gauge: a solution combining ease of use and diving safety, introduced in the new generation of Aquatimer with bronze case and water resistance to 200 bar.

 

Sapphire crystal: all models are fitted with high-strength sapphire glass, designed to protect the dial from scratches and shocks while maintaining impeccable transparency.

 

Astrua 1860: Authorised IWC Retailer With over 160 years of experience , Astrua 1860 is a landmark in haute horlogerie and luxury jewellery.

 

 

As an authorised retailer of IWC Schaffhausen watches, Astrua 1860 offers an exclusive selection of the brand's most prestigious models, accompanied by an impeccable service designed for those seeking an excellent shopping experience.

 

At Astrua 1860 boutiques, every customer can rely on a team of highly qualified professionals and onafter-sales service of the highest standard.

 

Explore our catalogue of IWC Schaffhausen watches to discover the models, carefully selected to meet the needs of those who want the best in haute horlogerie.