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The oakleigh promise

IWC are best known for their high quality, Swiss made Pilot’s watches alongside their elegant dress watches.

What is IWC best known for?

IWC watches are produced with both in house and bought in movements.

Are IWC movements in-house?

IWC is a Swiss luxury watch manufacturer located in Schaffhausen, Switzerland.

Where are IWC watches manufactured?

Both IWC and Omega are very long-established brands and they each have their own individual style.

Is IWC better than Omega?

When you buy a pre owned IWC watch it is very likely to hold its value or even increase so they make a good investment watch.

Is IWC a good investment watch?

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IWC is a highly respected watchmaking brand and is known for being one of the more exclusive watch companies or even the “International Watch Company.’ An IWC really is a watch lover’s watch – their watches appeal to owners who appreciate craftmanship and individual design. Pre owned IWC watches are steeped in history and often have a story to tell.

It is also one of the most innovative luxury watchmakers today, known for pushing the boundaries, and constantly evolving with its watchmaking techniques, its designs, and its calibres.
Below are 5 key things to consider when buying pre owned IWC watches.

1. Investment, Pleasure or Both?

If you’re buying purely for investment, then you don’t need to worry about the style of watch. Rather, you need to focus on whether a model is desirable now and whether it is likely to be so for the foreseeable future. So, my top three tips …

• Always go for a watch with the widest appeal and the most limited supply.
• If it’s purely for investment purposes, buy the very best example you can find. After all you don’t have to worry about damaging it if it’s only going to sit in your safe.
• Make sure you buy a Full Set – box, papers, service records and accessories.
If buying for pleasure and or both pleasure and investment – keep reading.

2. Style

American President of IWC, Edouard D’Arbaumont said in a 2016 interview that “We don’t think anybody is buying our watches to tell time. It’s all about the DNA, the history of our product, and what is behind our watches. We must tell stories, like in the film industry.”

As such, IWCs watches are more about the exclusivity and sense of occasion they bring to the wearer, and while watches do tell the time, this makes perfect sense for all luxury watches, which many times are worn as a piece of jewellery, craftsmanship, and history.

IWC have several flagship collections including the Portugieser, Aquatimer, Ingenieur, Da Vinci and Portofino. However, they have been forever associated with military, particularly Pilot, style watches since their ‘Special Pilot’s Watch’ was launched in 1936.

The three main types of IWC watch are.

1) The Mark Series – these are very plain and straight forward military style watches. A historically accurate representation of the famous IWC military watches of the mid 20th Century. Case sizes tend to be relatively small and dials simple and easy to read. Usually found on leather straps, very occasionally available on a bracelet.

2) The Pilot Series – this is IWC’s modern take on the classic Pilot’s watch, made with a larger case than the Mark Series. These often have added chronograph and date functions. Again, usually found on leather straps.

3) The Dress Watches – the IWC Portugeiser and Portofino watches are some of the finest dress watches available today. Case sizes tend to be on the large side, especially with the Portugeiser. They are characterised by their beautiful clear dials often coloured matched with high quality leather straps.
Their first luxury sports watch – the Ingenieur was designed in 1976 by Gerald Genta, designer of several iconic watches, such as the Patek Philippe Nautilus and Audemars Piguet.
The Ingenieur is a relatively rare sighting compared to the other models. It offers excellent value for money compared to other Gerald Genta designs, if you can find one!

3. Size

Does matter when it comes to watches?

It all comes down to confidence and perspective. Just because you’re small in stature, doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t carry off a larger timepiece. In fact, it’s very much the fashion for women to wear oversized men’s watches.

For a man, it’s all about confidence. If you feel comfortable going big and will wear a 46mm proudly, then a Portugeiser Chronograph will look good. If you’re going to be self-conscious, then pick something classic like a Mark XVI.

4. Vintage or Modern

The choice between a vintage or modern watch is partly one of personal taste and partly one of robustness. Vintage models tend to be smaller, so if you prefer this look, then something like a 1970’s Tuning Fork would be a lovely choice (see above, it’s not literal).

On the other hand, if you want to wear your IWC every day, then you should probably go for a newer one as the movements from the older models are more fragile and expensive to repair than later versions. More modern IWC’s tend to have bracelet options if that is your preference.

Servicing costs for a vintage watch can be higher and parts hard to come by – two important considerations when choosing between modern and vintage pre owned IWC watches.

5. Fashion or Function

What do you want your pre-owned IWC watch for? Assuming of course you’re not circumnavigating the world, is it simply to tell the time or do you need it to fly?

If you do want a pilot’s watch because you are a pilot, the 3706 models are the best place to start.

If you’re simply looking for a fantastic watch made to the highest of standards, then you can have some fun choosing.

5 Step Guide to Buying Pre owned IWC Watches

Availability

Brand

Model

What's Included

Condition

Reference

Years

Papers

Movement Type

Movement

Diameter

Dial Colour

Case material

Bracelet/Strap

Gender

Matching Model

The IWC Spitfire Chronograph offers a striking twist on the iconic pilot’s watch formula from IWC Schaffhausen - the Swiss brand renowned for building some of the finest aviation timepieces ever made.
Retaining the familiar, functional styling of IWC’s Pilot Chronographs, this model truly stands out thanks to its bronze case paired with a rich green Superluminova dial. The result is a warm, vintage-inspired aesthetic with unmistakable presence.
Bought new in the UK in 2021 and never worn, this example is virtually factory-fresh, with only the faintest creases on the strap from being buckled in the box. The bronze case, matching brown leather IWC strap, Arabic numerals, creamy hour plots, and in-house IWC 69380 movement combine to create a pilot’s watch that is both beautifully finished and seriously capable.
Presented complete with boxes, papers, and all accessories, this is an exceptional chance to own an unworn IWC Spitfire Chronograph in the most sought-after configuration.
Explore more IWC watches on our IWC Brand page.

IWC Pilot Spitfire Chronograph

Unworn IWC Spitfire Chronograph in bronze with a green dial featuring the in-house 69380 movement, brown leather strap, and classic pilot styling.

IWC Spitfire Chronograph | 2021 | Unworn Full Set

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IWC Pilot Spitfire Chronograph

£5,250