One of Switzerland’s major luxury watch companies was started by an American who saw the potential of bringing Switzerland’s superb watchmaking into the modern age through industrialized manufacturing and high-precision interchangeable parts. The New Hampshire–born watchmaker Florentine Ariosto Jones (1841–1916), who founded International Watch Company — known today as simply IWC — in 1868, was interested in “combining all the excellence of the American system of mechanism with the more skillful hand labor of the Swiss.”
Setting up the company with another American watchmaker, Charles Kidder, in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, Jones used hydropower from the River Rhine for his plant’s machinery. Rethinking watch design would lead to one of IWC’s early successes: the Pallweber pocket watch. Based on an 1883 patent by Austrian watchmaker Josef Pallweber, the watch employed numbered disks for jumping hour and minute displays, making it a pioneer in digital timekeeping.
After Johann Rauschenbach-Vogel took over the watch manufacturer in 1880, four generations of his family led IWC into the 20th century. In 1905, Ernst Jakob Homberger and his brother-in-law Carl Jung — the famed Swiss psychiatrist — acquired IWC. Homberger bought out Jung’s holdings in 1929, and in the 1930s, the company introduced pilot watches, which were particularly robust and aimed solely at the civil aviation industry. These durable wristwatches were designed specifically to remain operational during extreme temperature shifts. (As blue watch dials are particularly hot right now, IWC's blue-dial Big Pilot is having a moment.)
The company still operates alongside the river where it was founded, having gained an international reputation over the past 150 years for its elegant designs and expert craftsmanship. Vintage IWC watches are prized by collectors — of whom there are many these days — and while the company continues to guard its attention to detail and quality, it has pushed its classic designs forward with modern innovation intended to stand the test of time.
IWC’s 2013 Ingenieur watch collection, with its precision based on an inventive constant-force mechanism, looked back to a 1955 Ingenieur model that featured a durable soft-iron inner cage as well as a 1976 update by leading Swiss watch designer Gérald Genta that encased its mechanism in a sleek steel case. IWC has also had a recent push toward sustainability, designing watches that are made to last a lifetime and beyond and earning the highest environmental ranking of any Swiss watch company in a 2018 report published by the World Wide Fund for Nature Switzerland (WWF).
Find vintage IWC wristwatches, Art Deco–style pocket watches and more on 1stDibs.
14k Yellow Gold Sapphire & Diamond Chain Bracelet
Located in Lexington, KY
This stunning chain bracelet is made in 14k yellow gold with both natural diamond and sapphire. The bracelet features links containing a series of square cut rich blue sapphires and ...
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Platinum over 14k Yellow Gold Sapphire and Diamond Bracelet 1915 Art Deco
Located in Lexington, KY
This Art Deco bracelet comes from 1915 and is made in 14k yellow gold and platinum. The entire bracelet is made in 14k yellow gold, which can be seen on the inside of the bracelet, while the outside is platinum over the 14k yellow gold. The two tone colors give this bracelet a unique appeal, which is only enhanced by the square cut sapphire and diamond. The combination of colors from the soft 14k yellow gold and platinum, as well as the sparkly diamonds and rich blue sapphire, give this bracelet a distinct look that stands out amongst the best of the best. The powerful combination of colors and materials ensure this bracelet will be a collection favorite. Platinum over 14k Yellow Gold Sapphire and Diamond...
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
14K Yellow Gold and Diamonds Bangle Bracelet
Located in Lexington, KY
This is a beautiful 14k yellow gold bangle bracelet with two rows of diamonds. This bracelet features a unique design with the two rows of diamonds being channel set and only on one side of the bracelet. This design helps protect the the diamonds by preventing scratches and also ensures the diamonds are always facing the correct direction. This makes an incredibly comfortable bracelet that also carries a worry free wear. This bracelet features a secure clasp that has an audible, secure click when closing as well as a safety. The design and materials ensure this bracelet will remain in amazing condition. 14K Yellow Gold and Diamonds Bangle Bracelet...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Contemporary 14K Yellow Gold Baguette and Princess Diamond Band w/ appraisal
Located in Lexington, KY
Being made with both princess and baguette cut diamonds, this contemporary 14k yellow gold ring is perfect for anyone who desires a diamond ring that sparkles intensely, stands out amongst the rest, and will stand the test of time. The diamonds are extremely secure, with tall ribbed 14k yellow gold sides, ensuring the longevity of this ring. With approximately 1 carat total weight, this ring will is sure to turn heads. This ring is perfect for daily wear or even your next big event. This ring comes with a 3rd party, independent, gemological insurance appraisal. This ring was appraised at $3,000 Contemporary 14K Yellow Gold Baguette and Princess Diamond Band...
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
14 Karat Yellow Gold Round and Baguette Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Lexington, KY
This absolutely beautiful ring is in 14k yellow gold and has a stunning collection of baguette and round diamonds to accent the brilliant white round center stone. This ring has the ...
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
.18 Carat Three Stone Diamond Ring in 14k Yellow Gold Mid Century Modern
Located in Lexington, KY
This beautiful mid-century three stone diamond ring is made in 14k yellow gold. This ring is dynamic and symbolic; it takes a classic three stone layout, which symbolizes the past, p...
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Omega 14K Yellow Gold Diamond Ladies Manual Wind Bracelet Watch
By Omega
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage Omega 14K Yellow Gold Diamond Ladies Manual Wind Bracelet Watch An elegant example of mid-century Swiss craftsmanship, this vintage Omega ladies wristwatch is crafted in sol...
Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Omega Ladies Diamond Yellow Gold Wristwatch
By Omega
Located in Stamford, CT
Ladies late 1960's Omega diamond dress wristwatch. Crafted in 18k yellow gold accented with a 24 round cut diamonds along the bezel which are set in 18k white gold. Solid Omega mesh band. 24 round diamonds, G-VS approx. .48cts 18k yellow gold 56 grams Length: 14.12mm Width: 14.11mm Band width at case: 14mm Case thickness: 7.61mm Dial: gold Inside case: 750 8107 808828 Movement: Omega 484...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Chopard 3 Carat 18k Yellow Gold Watch
By Chopard
Located in Chicago, IL
This stunning Chopard timepiece features natural diamonds totaling approximately 3.02 carats. With a case diameter of 19mm (excluding the crown) and a band width of 14mm, this watch ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Sonia Bitton Galarie De Bijoux Geneve Vintage Diamond Watch 14 Karat Yellow Gold
By Sonia Bitton
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
This elegant vintage ladies' watch by Sonia Bitton for Galarie De Bijoux features a custom diamond design set in warm 14 karat yellow gold. The rectangular case is encrusted with rou...
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Baume Mercier Ladies Diamond Gold Watch 18 Karat
Located in New York, NY
Baume & Mercier Ladies Gold watch Excellent condition. Made for 7-in wrist. .50 carat natural diamonds rounds full cuts f color VS1 clarity. 56.8 grams Tested working order...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Cyma Ladies Gold Diamond Watch 18 Karat
Located in New York, NY
Cyma Ladies Watch Working Swiss quartz battery movement. Functional date. .50 carat natural diamonds g color vs2 clarity 49.3 grams 18 karat yell...
Diamond, Yellow Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
