It is only the most innovative of brands that continue to thrive after 150 years; the rich history behind IWC Schaffhausen watches marks its place among such ranks, telling a tale of endurance, adaptability and precision engineering. This pioneering precedent was set out from the very beginning when American founder Florence Ariosto Jones chose to situate his manufacturing hub not in the French-speaking heart of Swiss watchmaking, but on the country’s German border in the historic town of Schaffhausen. Combining American production techniques with the skilled craftsmanship of native horologists, the House’s modern-day offerings attest to the abiding nature of its early creations, with its six watch families – Pilot, Portugieser, Portofino, Da Vinci, Ingenious and Aquatimer – all honouring age-old models.
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Time Machines
History in the Making
Time Machines
History in the Making
Six watch families span 150 years of ingenuity at IWC Schaffhausen; its founder Florentine Ariosto Jones’ vision was to combine “all the excellence of the American system of mechanism with the more skillful hand labour of the Swiss.” With the opening of its Manufakturzentrum in 2018, IWC Schaffhausen entered a new era – safeguarding its expertise and Jones’ manifesto for centuries to come.
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Beyond the Dial
Masterful Mechanisms
Beyond the Dial
Masterful Mechanisms
Grande complication, moon phase display, double rattrapante chronograph… Elaborate complications are innate to IWC Schaffhausen. Take its perpetual calendar – brainchild of Kurt Klaus, which debuted in the Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar of 1985. A smart, mechanical programme, it displays the date, day, month, four-digit year and moon phase, while automatically recognising different month lengths.
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Spotlight On
Pilot
Spotlight On
Pilot
Originally engineered as precise instruments for aviators in the mid-1930s, IWC Schaffhausen’s bold Pilot design is still as iconic – and as dependable – as it was 85 years ago. To this day, the Swiss watchmaker works in close collaboration with top pilots to create high-flying timepieces that fuse functionality with elegance and innovation.
Descend the staircase in Fine Watches and, on the Lower Ground Floor, you’ll discover the IWC Schaffhausen boutique at Harrods. The impressive space is home to private consultation rooms, available for personalised shopping experiences. Need advice? Our in-store experts are here to help. Email us at [email protected] or call using the number below and ext. 2142.