IWC is popular among men. While its lineup is primarily men's, it also releases ladies' models that look elegant on a woman's wrist. This time, we've selected five IWC ladies' models. We hope this information will be useful for women who are purchasing a luxury watch for the first time.
What kind of watch brand is IWC?
IWC was founded in 1868 by American watchmaker Florentine Ariosto Jones, who moved to Switzerland at the age of 27. He started the brand in Schaffhausen with the help of Swiss craftsman Johann Heinrich Moser.
The company was originally named International Watch Company, and the initials of that name, along with the brand's birthplace of Schaffhausen, formed the name we know today: IWC Schaffhausen.
When the company was founded, it manufactured high-quality movements and watch parts for the American market, and then began full-scale wristwatch manufacturing in 1915. It has expanded its presence in the watch market by developing a number of collections that continue to this day, including the Mark IX pilot's watch, the Portugieser, which was produced at the request of a Portuguese merchant, and the Da Vinci, which features a perpetual calendar and chronograph.
IWC also advocates "Engineering beyond time," and as an example of this, it offers thorough, long-term repairs. When you own a watch, you realize the need for regular maintenance and the difficulty of maintaining its condition. Everyone who buys a luxury watch wants to cherish it, even if they've gone to the trouble of buying one. A brand that respects this is definitely worth choosing.
Recommended IWC watches for women
Here we introduce five watches from IWC, a brand with a unique history and brand identity, that we recommend for women.
Portofino Automatic 34, Ref. IW357413
Automatic movement (Cal. 35100). 25 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve approximately 50 hours. Stainless steel case (diameter 34mm, thickness 8.6mm). Water resistant to 3 bar. Price: 1,061,500 yen (tax included).
Forty years after its creation, IWC's dressy collection, "Portofino," has long been beloved by both men and women. Named after the luxury Italian seaside resort of Portofino, the collection embodies a relaxed Mediterranean lifestyle and a modest yet elegant sense of style. Launched in 1984, this collection also offered a smaller-diameter model at the time, and the 34mm case diameter Ref. IW357413 can be considered a return to its roots.
The stainless steel case, rhodium-plated indexes, Roman numerals at 6 and 12 o'clock, and slender leaf hands create a beautiful contrast with the deep blue dial. The dial is adorned with 12 sparkling white diamonds as hour markers, and the high-quality five-link stainless steel bracelet ensures a comfortable fit.
This compact timepiece, housed in a 34mm case, will complement any style and enhance the sophisticated wrist of any woman.
Portofino Automatic 37, Ref. IW458602
Automatic winding (Cal. 32111). 21 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve approximately 120 hours. Stainless steel case (diameter 37mm, thickness 9.4mm). Water resistant to 5 bar. Price: 1,081,300 yen (tax included).
The Ref. IW458602 features a 37mm case, slightly larger than the Ref. IW357413. The watch's high specifications are also noteworthy. It features the Cal. 32111 movement, which has a power reserve of approximately 120 hours. Many smaller watches have short power reserves, so this long mainspring life is a welcome addition (although the aforementioned Ref. IW357413 also boasts a sufficient power reserve of approximately 50 hours).
The sapphire glass caseback allows you to view the movement, which features a gold-plated rotor and blued-steel screws. The IWC Cal. 32000 series is the first IWC movement to use silicon components, and in addition to being antimagnetic, it also features a bidirectional pawl winding mechanism for highly efficient mainspring winding. It's also worth noting that the escape wheel and anchor lever are made from wear-resistant materials.
Despite being equipped with such a high-performance movement, the case is only 9.4mm thick, and while the 37mm diameter case is by no means small, it still fits comfortably on the wrist. The green dial is a color that is becoming a standard for various brands, following blue, and is recommended as it stands out from the crowd despite its subdued color.
Portofino Automatic Moon Phase 37, Ref. IW659601
Automatic winding (Cal. 32800). 21 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve approximately 120 hours. Stainless steel case (diameter 37.1 mm, thickness 11.3 mm). Water resistant to 5 bar. Price: 2,161,500 yen (tax included).
If simple watch functions aren't enough for you, we also recommend a model with a moon phase display, which is perhaps the most romantic feature, considering that the concept of telling time has its roots in celestial bodies.
The Ref. IW659601 features a silver-plated dial with gold-plated hands and applied indexes. It also features 12 diamonds as hour markers and 60 diamonds set around the case. The bold use of 72 diamonds (total weight 1.12 carats) and meticulous placement of the diamonds to maximize light reflection makes their sparkle undeniably eye-catching.
The movement is the Caliber 32800, the first in the Caliber 32000 series to incorporate a moon phase module. The moon phase disc at 12 o'clock boasts exceptional precision, with an error of just one day every 122 years from the actual lunar orbit. This model also allows you to enjoy the movement design through the sapphire crystal caseback.
The strap is made of soft blue Swiss calf leather, which matches the blue colour of the moon phase and further highlights the elegance of the design.
Pilot's Watch Automatic 36, Ref. IW324010
Automatic movement (Cal. 35111). 25 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve approximately 50 hours. Stainless steel case (diameter 36mm, thickness 10.4mm). Water resistant to 6 bar. Price: 1,061,500 yen (tax included).
Pilot's watches are perhaps the most iconic symbol of IWC. In 1936, when demand for pilot's watches was on the rise, IWC released the "Special Pilot's Watch," a tough, innovative model that was antimagnetic, highly legible, and could withstand sudden temperature changes. The company continued to supply watches to the German Air Force and the Royal Air Force, and in 1948 produced the legendary "Mark 11," considered one of the greatest military watches of all time. With such a long history, IWC's pilot's watches continue to evolve into modern models while retaining the robust functionality of their origins.
The Ref. IW324010 has a simple appearance with only three hands and a date display. The design is minimalist and offers excellent visibility, which is essential for a pilot's watch. The elegant three-hand design, along with the slight step at the hour markers, gives the dial a more three-dimensional appearance.
The soft iron inner case encasing the Cal. 35111 movement, which has a power reserve of approximately 50 hours, provides magnetic resistance and maintains water resistance to 6 bar.
This simple and basic piece goes well with both suits and casual attire.
"Portugieser Automatic" Ref. IW358313
Automatic movement (Cal. 82200). 31 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve approximately 60 hours. Stainless steel case (diameter 40.4mm, thickness 12.3mm). Water resistant to 3 bar. Price: 1,061,500 yen (tax included).
The Portugieser is another iconic IWC collection. Its origins date back to the 1930s, when two Portuguese businessmen requested the creation of a modern stainless steel wristwatch with the precision and accuracy of a marine chronometer. At the time, the only option to achieve their desired perfect legibility and maximum accuracy was to use a pocket watch movement.
The resulting 43mm Portugieser was a huge size compared to the small diameter watches of 33mm or less that were common at the time, influenced by Art Deco. Taking into account this history and background, it is cool for women to wear the Portugieser on a larger scale.
The Ref. IW358313 is a model that catches the eye with its salmon-colored dial. It has a small seconds hand at 6 o'clock and, while the dial is clean and well-organized, it has an iconic design that makes it instantly recognizable as a Portugieser.
The movement is the IWC-manufactured Caliber 82200. Its Pellaton automatic winding mechanism uses highly wear-resistant ceramic parts, providing a robust, high-quality movement with a power reserve of approximately 60 hours. The 40.4mm case is slightly larger and more eye-catching, making it a timeless timepiece that will add an accent to any outfit.
Quick exchange system and traceability
All of the IWC watches introduced here feature a quick-change system for the bracelets and straps, allowing you to change them yourself using the included tools.
IWC also places great importance on transparency in the production of its products. All leather straps come with a code that can be entered into the IWC app to learn more about the source of the leather. This is a groundbreaking initiative that both supports the value of taking responsibility for what you own and raises personal awareness.
IWC, which boasts a history of over 150 years, has many masterpieces and attractive models. These models are highly rated by watch enthusiasts, and we would love for women to wear them.
