12 Discussions and CommentsMember since Sept. 20, 2010
I recently got a bit curious about this after reading numerous articles about how some companies fly in parts from China or Taiwan, and assemble a small amount of it in Switzerland.
Obviously IWC doesn't do this, but where are many parts of the watches and movements manufactured/procured from? I'm curious where they obtain their steel, where it's welded and other details along those lines. (I would assume it would be at the IWC workshop) Where are their hands shaped, and where does the metal come from? Also, what are the hands on many watches made of? Do they match the metal of the case, or is it always a certain metal?
I have lots of questions, but I'm quite curious about where IWC gets all their materials etc.
3,731 Discussions and CommentsMember since March 28, 2001
You may be aware that "Swiss Made" is a definion protected by Swiss law. In Wikipedia you can find a description, I saw this summary there: "In sum, a watch is considered Swiss whose movement is Swiss, whose movement is encased in Switzerland and whose final control by the manufacturer takes place in Switzerland."
Kind regards, Paul
What you do may not be so important, but it is very important that you do it well. (my variation of a saying by Gandhi)
12 Discussions and CommentsMember since Sept. 20, 2010
Paul Bloemen Wrote:You may be aware that "Swiss Made" is a definion protected by Swiss law. In Wikipedia you can find a description, I saw this summary there: "In sum, a watch is considered Swiss whose movement is Swiss, whose movement is encased in Switzerland and whose final control by the manufacturer takes place in Switzerland."
Kind regards, Paul
Yes, I was specifically curious about where the parts of an IWC are procured from though.
As far as I know, almost all of IWC's major suppliers are in Switzerland. I know that they use French and Austrian strap manufacturers for at least some straps, and it is possible (I'm not sure) that some bracelets are outsourced to Italy. But all movements are Swiss, all critical movement parts are Swiss and most cases are Swiss.
No parts are outsourced from Asia and all assembly is Swiss.
I do not know the origins of underlying raw materials, such as steel, gold, and other metals, or leathers. I'm not sure where the cows are from but I believe the alligators are farmed in Louisiana.
IWC is relatively unique since it one of a minority of companies that makes its own cases, and a majority of its movements are fully in-house, although balances, springs, screws and jewels are outsourced.
The definition of Swiss Made is a little more complex. In general:
A watch is considered Swiss, according to the Swiss law if: its movement is Swiss and, its movement is cased up in Switzerland and; the manufacturer carries out the final inspection in Switzerland <u>and</u> A watch movement is considered Swiss if: the movement has been assembled in Switzerland and, the movement has been inspected by the manufacturer in Switzerland and; the components of Swiss manufacture account for at least 50 percent of the total value, without taking into account the cost of assembly.
12 Discussions and CommentsMember since Sept. 20, 2010
The 50% rule is even more puzzling, and I'm one of those people who believe that they should crack down on the laws concerning the stamp of Swiss make.
It's funny to hear about how IWC is part of a minority that make their own cases, up until now I had thought that most manufactures had done this. I'd actually love to hear which other manufactures do this. (if it doesn't breach forum rules)
Very few companies make their own cases. Primary other ones include Rolex, Patek and JLC, and I'm sure there are some others.
Before you get too enthused about in-house, keep in mind that these companies have all made economic decisions -they represent vertical integration and a desire to control key aspects of the supply -chain.
By the way,virtually no company makes its own dials (I suspect Rolex may, since it bought many of its suppliers, again as a matter of integration). That said, I'd like this discussion, if continuing, to be focussed on IWC.
2,081 Discussions and CommentsMember since Jan. 7, 2005
MF Wrote:
By the way,virtually no company makes its own dials.
Michael,
I would be interested, if it's possible, to know more about dials. I'm studying a little about dials and it would be good to my research to know more, for instance, who supplied dials to IWC in the past and now (Fluckiger?), would it be possible?
184 Discussions and CommentsMember since Sept. 18, 2008The Beach,
United States
Very interesting conversation. I would think IWC uses the power and resources of the Richmont group, thereby other watch brands in the group may get pieces and parts from the same supplier.
To me, I don't care if my IWC watch is built in a company that is totally vertically integrated. I like the idea of using outside suppliers that have their own thoughts and ideas and not restricted by IWC's long-term plan. The independent just might come up with the next great idea.
Obviously IWC doesn't do this, but where are many parts of the watches and movements manufactured/procured from? I'm curious where they obtain their steel, where it's welded and other details along those lines. (I would assume it would be at the IWC workshop) Where are their hands shaped, and where does the metal come from? Also, what are the hands on many watches made of? Do they match the metal of the case, or is it always a certain metal?
I have lots of questions, but I'm quite curious about where IWC gets all their materials etc.
Kind regards,
Paul
What you do may not be so important, but it is very important that you do it well. (my variation of a saying by Gandhi)
Last edited: 23 October, 2011 - 13:31
Yes, I was specifically curious about where the parts of an IWC are procured from though.
No parts are outsourced from Asia and all assembly is Swiss.
I do not know the origins of underlying raw materials, such as steel, gold, and other metals, or leathers. I'm not sure where the cows are from but I believe the alligators are farmed in Louisiana.
IWC is relatively unique since it one of a minority of companies that makes its own cases, and a majority of its movements are fully in-house, although balances, springs, screws and jewels are outsourced.
The definition of Swiss Made is a little more complex. In general:
A watch is considered Swiss, according to the Swiss law if:
its movement is Swiss and,
its movement is cased up in Switzerland and;
the manufacturer carries out the final inspection in Switzerland
<u>and</u>
A watch movement is considered Swiss if:
the movement has been assembled in Switzerland and,
the movement has been inspected by the manufacturer in Switzerland and;
the components of Swiss manufacture account for at least 50 percent of the total value, without taking into account the cost of assembly.
Regards, Michael
mfriedberg@iwcforum.com
Last edited: 5 April, 2012 - 19:53
Best,
-Joe
It's funny to hear about how IWC is part of a minority that make their own cases, up until now I had thought that most manufactures had done this. I'd actually love to hear which other manufactures do this. (if it doesn't breach forum rules)
Before you get too enthused about in-house, keep in mind that these companies have all made economic decisions -they represent vertical integration and a desire to control key aspects of the supply -chain.
By the way,virtually no company makes its own dials (I suspect Rolex may, since it bought many of its suppliers, again as a matter of integration). That said, I'd like this discussion, if continuing, to be focussed on IWC.
Regards, Michael
mfriedberg@iwcforum.com
Last edited: 5 April, 2012 - 19:53
Michael,
I would be interested, if it's possible, to know more about dials. I'm studying a little about dials and it would be good to my research to know more, for instance, who supplied dials to IWC in the past and now (Fluckiger?), would it be possible?
Thanks.
Regards
Roberto
Regards,
Roberto
Last edited: 11 January, 2013 - 11:07
To me, I don't care if my IWC watch is built in a company that is totally vertically integrated. I like the idea of using outside suppliers that have their own thoughts and ideas and not restricted by IWC's long-term plan. The independent just might come up with the next great idea.
Hope that makes sense.
Eric
With my best regards, Eric
Last edited: 25 June, 2011 - 21:14