The Bite Magazine

ome of IWC’s early timepiece

creations include an 1899

wristwatch that contained a small

64-calibre ladies’ pocket watch

movement housed in a dainty

case and fitted with lugs for the

wristband; two newly developed

calibres, the 75 (without seconds)

and the 76 (with small seconds), the

first movements designed by IWC

specifically for wristwatches in

1915, and their first ‘Special Pilot’s

Watch’ which featured a rotating bezel

with an arrowhead index that could be

used to register take-off times in 1936.

In 1944, a new wristwatch developed for

military use by the British Army had the

letters W. W. W. engraved on the

back of the case which stood for

‘Watch.Wrist.Waterproof’, while

the Aquatimer pronounced the

beginning of a successful series of

diver’s watches in 1967 and the

Da Vinci wristwatch featured the

Beta 21 quartz movement which

marked a watch-making revolution

in 1969. The year 1977 saw the

unveiling of the 9721 calibre, the

first pocket watch from IWC

with a calendar and moon phase

display, while co-operation with

designer F. A. Porsche resulted in

the first wristwatch with a built-

in compass the following year.

The collaboration also produced

the world’s first chronograph

in a titanium case in 1980, and

with its Novecento (Italian for 20th

century) IWC Schaffhausen presented

the first rectangular, water resistant

and automatic watch with a perpetual

calendar in 1987.

n recent years, IWC introduced

several new TOP GUN models

in 2012, such as the Miramar line

with its military style design which

referenced the watch-making

manufacturer’s

longstanding

tradition of deck watches; the

Spitfire line which has a more

luxurious look with new features

including Perpetual Calendar

Digital Date-Month; and the

authentic cockpit-style designed

Pilot’s Watch Worldtimer from

the Classics collection that

continues the success of the UTC

Pilot’s Watches. Last year, the

Ingenieur collection inspired by

IWC’s new co-operation with the

MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS

Formula One Team included

the Constant-Force Tourbillion

which featured the patented

mechanism responsible for its

name and the Perpetual Calendar

Digital Date-Month with its

quick-action switch. The cases provided

a choice of titanium aluminide, carbon,

ceramic or titanium, inspired by the

range of materials used in Formula One.

This year sees a brand new collection

from IWC to the Portofino line

that has been an expression of

understated and good taste for 30

years. The new Midsize collection

is created for those who prefer

a slightly smaller timepiece and

include the Portofino Midsize

Automatic Moon Phrase and

Midsize Automatic Day & Night.

These two radiant 37-millimetre

beauties are available in seven

different versions designed to

reflect the timeless elegance of

the Italian coastal resort.

eorges Kern, CEO of IWC

Schaffhausen explained the

thinking behind the new 2014

Portofino collection: “IWC has

established itself as a global brand,

and therefore keeps a close eye on what

people are wearing when it comes to

watches and jewellery, on what trends

are developing. What we are currently

observing is an increasing

worldwide demand for watches

set with diamonds.” He added,

“With the Midsize collection, we

are making this successful, classic

watch line more interesting for

customers with slimmer wrists.

The diamond-set models will

appeal to anyone with a preference

for wristwatches that combine

understated design with a touch

of the exquisite.” Within the 2014

Portofino collection, there are

three new 37-millimetre models in

bite

watches

Images courtesy of IWC Schaffhausen and Photopress/Peter Lindbergh