Since founding in 1868, the International Watch Company (IWC) has built a reputation as a long-established Swiss watchmaking firm with a passion for invention and innovation.
The timepieces in the IWC collection bear the three letters of the spirited brand; from the Portofino to the legendary Portuguese collection to the Grande Complication. This is not to mention the presence of shining collection of watches from Schaffhausen, as well as all the specialties of haute horlogerie.
Truly, all the renowned IWC products such as the Portuguese Chrono-Automatic, the Big Pilot, Top Gun and the Vintage Collection represent the timelessness of this acclaimed brand.
Unquestionably, IWC is at the zenith of its fame when it comes to premium brand. Earlier this year, IWC was ranked first among thirty three luxury watch brands, according to the Luxury Brand Status Index Survey.
The survey also indicates that the brand has outranked the competition among other luxury brands in terms of not only quality, but also the brand that is most worthy of a premium price.
Andreas Boesch
IWC has won the heart of socialites and prominent figures worldwide. In the United States, for instance, the brand has been evaluated by The proprietary Luxury Brand Status Index™ (LBSI-Patent Pending) based on the following criteria: consistently superior quality, unique and exclusive, self enhancement and social status. LBSI is the only means available to measure the value and quality of premium brands to wealthy Americans.
“We are proud of this achievement. The brand’s heritage and top-notch quality have marked a history. IWC has been around for 141 years and we are going to be around for many more years,” Andreas Boesch, general manager of IWC Southeast Asia, said.
Andreas has successfully restructured and built the Swiss Market for IWC prior to taking his post in Southeast Asia in June 2006. That was the time when IWC decided to establish an independent zone in Southeast Asia with Andreas as IWC’s first general manager.
“Southeast Asia has a very great potential market for IWC’s products. My opinion has been supported by our brand’s market reaction,” he added.
Speaking of the Indonesian market, Andrew seems to be confident to bring the brand to the next level. ”I’m convinced that with the presence of a broad number of potential customers in Indonesia’s high-end market, particularly in big cities like Jakarta, the brand is something that is considered the next time a purchase is made.”
IWC was founded by the American Florentine A. Jones in eastern Switzerland. It’s unique in a way that most watchmaking centers are situated in western Switzerland. The cultural influence of German-speaking Switzerland in the eastern zone has contributed to the IWC’s superb technical orientation, making the IWC’s watches distinctive.
“We are one of the think tanks of the watch industry. And IWC has been the trendsetter,” Andreas remarked citing the IWC Vintage Collection in 2008, each in stainless steel and in a limited edition platinum version.
An array of watches from IWC have the charisma for their icons behind the company’s present day watch families. Among them are the first Special Pilot’s Watch from 1936, the original Portuguese from 1939, the Ingenieur from 1955, the Aquatimer from 1967, the first Da Vinci from 1969 and the first Portofino from 1984.
Many of the designs of these watches are still sought after today. “This due to the watches’ timeless design that characterizes true classic,” Andreas said.
While visiting IWC store in Plaza Indonesia, Andreas showed the latest model of IWC’s Da Vinci collection. “It’s another milestone in haute horlogerie, indeed. This is one of our latest models that fit the digital era.”
Like its predecessor, the latest watch in the Da Vinci collection remains practical for everyday use and easy to operate. With the integral shock absorber of the spring-mounted rotor, the watch’s integral flyback chronograph with column wheel with column wheel can switch easily. The movement of the watch, including stopwatch, is designed so it can function continuously with no perceptible effect. Even with its calendar indications, the dial remains clear and easy to read.
Interestingly, its digital can be set into day, month and significant event with its flyback chronograph sets the standard. This model harks back to the earliest digital display of time pieces from IWC Schaffhausen that were manufactured more than a hundred years ago.
IWC Schaffhausen has extensively revised both technically and aesthetically of its diver’s watches. First introduced in 1967 under the name Aquatimer, the product has since developed as one of the premium sports watches of choice available in the market.
IWC has collaborated with the Charles Darwin Foundation in Galapagos, Ecuador to mark the Darwin bicentennial year in 2009. Correspondingly, IWC’s new Aquatimer models, the Aquatimer Chronograph Edition Galapagos Islands, has been dedicated specifically to support environmental and marine conservation.
Among the IWC’s newest models of its Aquatimer family are Aquatimer Deep Two, Aquatimer Chronograph Edition Galapagos Islands, Aquatimer Chronograph, Aquatimer Chronograph in red gold and Aquatimer Automatic 2000. All the models are equipped by the rotating diving bezel.
Another splendid latest model worth to have is the Big Ingenieur Chronograph from IWC Schaffhausen. This watch fits best for men keen on doing outdoor activities. Retaining its style and class, Big Ingenieur Chronograph from IWC Schaffhausen is an horological premium watch having outstanding diversity on one hand and robustness and sporting appeal on the other hand.
“The Ingenieur is the creation of the best designers and watchmakers. The stainless steel watch comes in platinum and rose gold having the large case with a tachymeter scale. This watch is very comfortable to wear on account of its weight and ergonomic size,” Andreas explained.
This advertorial was published in The Jakarta Globe on October 31, 2009.