What Sets IWC Apart
One of the premiere brands available at Feldmar, IWC is known for its high degree of technical sophistication, innovation, and modern materials and watchmaking techniues. Whether you’re just starting your timepiece journey or are a seasoned enthusiast with a collection of luxury watches, you’re sure to find something to love about IWC.
From the brand’s rich history and the stories behind each model to the high quality they’ve become known for, here are some unique facts about International Watch Company.
IWC’s Pioneering Spirit
An American businessman, Florentine Ariosto Jones completed his watchmaker apprenticeship and founded the International Watch Company Schaffhausen in 1868 at only 27. From there, his pursuit was to produce high quality watches at a low cost for export to the US — this courage and perseverance is still at the core of IWC today. IWC has managed to strike a delicate balance between premium tool watches and haute horology, crafting products in both realms with equal precision and perfection.
Paying Homage to Pallweber
When you think of a digital watch, what do you think of? An LCD screen with a blocky readout? When IWC created the Pallweber pocket watch in 1884, electronic watches were still almost 100 years away. The digital watches of the late-19th century used an innovative system of rotating discs paired with dial cutouts to enable a new way of reading the time. Instead of hands pointing at numbers to indicate minutes and hours, these “digital” displays showed numbers in a clear and easy to read way. Fast forward to a century and a half later, IWC launched the Tribute to Pallweber Edition “150 Years.” This gave the legendary pocket watch a time to shine again but with a new and modern take.
IWC is a proud partner of the Antoine de Saint Exupéry Youth Foundation
The well-loved French author of “The Little Prince” wasn’t only into writing. In fact, this humanist also had a passion for flying. Sadly, the writer disappeared over the Mediterranean during a wartime reconnaissance mission in 1944. The beloved author-pilot’s spirit lives on as his descendants created the Antoine de Saint Expuréry Youth Foundation in 2008. The foundation’s goal is to fight against illiteracy and support education programs for children and younger people faced with socially disadvantaged backgrounds. IWC is a proud partner of this foundation and as a brand, is a leader in the field when it comes to supporting charitable causes.
IWC’s Commitment to Sustainability
Even before sustainability garnered much attention, a handful of companies pursued more sustainable operations and production, including IWC. Besides the fact that IWC creates watches that last for generations, they have also streamlined and optimized their processes with sustainability at the forefront. Their manufacturing center and gold refinery are powered by renewable energy sources. They have also worked to drastically cut the amount of plastic used in their packaging. Leading the charge on sustainability, IWC has demonstrated that every company can find efficiencies without compromising the world-beating quality upon which reputations are built.
These are only a few of the many things we love about IWC. With their courage to break the mould while keeping to important sustainability commitments, it’s safe to say that IWC is a leader in more ways than one.
Shop IWC watches at Feldmar Watch Company. We are proud to be an authorized dealer.
About The Author: Jimmy Inglish
Originally from San Antonio, Texas, Jimmy Inglish graduated from UCLA (go Bruins!) and is now a deeply-rooted California transplant. He has been serving as the social media director for Feldmar Watch Company since 2019 and runs the official Instagram page.
An avid watch collector, Jimmy has been building his own collection since 2014. In his free time, he enjoys hanging out with his 95-lb German Shepherd/Husky mix, Reginald Wilkerson and posting unique wrist shots to his personal Instagram page, @watchfiend.
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