The International Watch Company was born in 1868 in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, the brainchild of an ambitious American and a Swiss industrialist. From the beginning, this new watchmaking enterprise focused on creating new standards in time-keeping technology and design. Their first pocket watches were characterized by a wealth of advanced technical features ù many of which are still used in pocket watches today. By 1898, the company had begun to adapt smaller versions of its pocket watch movements to wristwatches and introduced its first designed wristwatch in 1900.

     Over the years, IWC has launched a series of collections widely regarded as some of the finest time-keeping instruments the world has ever seen. Prized by collectors and connoisseurs, each IWC masterpiece is engraved with a unique number and calibre type. Its reference number, calibre, material, case number, delivery date, purchaser or dealer name is then recorded for posterity in ledgers kept at the company's headquarters in Schaffhausen. Vintage IWCs can be traced back to their original owners. Also at headquarters is the "Pharmacy" where IWC keeps, catalogued and sorted, a minimum 30 years inventory of parts for its distinctive collections. In one hallowed corner is the "shrine," comprised of tall chests with multiple drawers holding rare parts for vintage IWC watches, some dating back as far as 1886.

     The most famous creation of IWC is the "Portuguese" watch, originally commissioned in 1930 by two Portuguese businessmen. IWC's challenge was to craft a wristwatch with a stainless steel case that possessed all the qualities of a marine chronometer. Today, the "Portuguese" watch is one of IWC's cornerstone collections, available in a split-second chronograph in rose gold, steel and platinum. The first Portuguese automatic was launched in 1996. But the Portuguese was not the only break-through design in the IWC stable. IWC is also well known for the quality design, precision movements, manufacturing excellence and watchmaking innovation of its Grande Complication, DaVinci, Novecento, Portofino, Ingenieur, Pilots Watches (the Mark series), and GST collections.

     Because Buy-BelowRetail.com is not an authorized dealer of IWC watches, IWC may not provide warranty service on your watch purchase. When you buy an IWC watch from Buy-BelowRetail.com, the Buy-BelowRetail.com Service Center will honor the terms of the manufacturer's 1-year warranty and will furnish, absolutely free, an additional 2-year Extended Limited Warranty.

     Buy-BelowRetail.com is proud to offer these rare and distinctive collections to our patrons. We are eager to assist you in your selection of an IWC watch. Please email us at sales@Buy-BelowRetail.com.