Page 18 - The Bite Magazine - Issue 11

Some 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.
In 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.
G 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
bitewatches
Images courtesy of IWC Schaffhausen and Photopress/Peter Lindbergh