The IWC IW371611 with gold case and green rubber strap

Iconic IWC chronographs across collections

More than 40 years ago, IWC Schaffhausen manufactured its first chronograph. Today, mechanical stopwatches form an essential pillar of all main collections. They are available in many case sizes and dial colours. A broad range of strap and bracelet options adds additional versatility. This enormous variety makes it easy for everyone to find an IWC chronograph that underscores their character and reflects their lifestyle. What all focus chronographs in our selection have in common is supreme technology from IWC’s Manufakturzentrum in Schaffhausen: They are all powered by movements from the IWC-manufactured 69000 calibre family, offering the ultimate in performance, precision and durability.


Iconic IWC chronographs across collections

More than 40 years ago, IWC Schaffhausen manufactured its first chronograph. Today, mechanical stopwatches form an essential pillar of all main collections. They are available in many case sizes and dial colours. A broad range of strap and bracelet options adds additional versatility. This enormous variety makes it easy for everyone to find an IWC chronograph that underscores their character and reflects their lifestyle. What all focus chronographs in our selection have in common is supreme technology from IWC’s Manufakturzentrum in Schaffhausen: They are all powered by movements from the IWC-manufactured 69000 calibre family, offering the ultimate in performance, precision and durability.

The IWC IW371611 with gold case and brown leather strap


Chronographs are complex mechanisms

Mechanical chronographs are complex mechanisms consisting of dozens of springs, wheels and levers. Their design and manufacturing represents an engineering feat mastered by only very few specialized watchmakers. While some owners use the stopwatch function only sporadically, others carry out dozens of time measurements per day. Furthermore, the chronograph complication drains a relatively large amount of energy from the basic movement, and the components are subject to extreme stresses during use. The challenge lies in designing a mechanism that will suit the entire spectrum of user profiles and work reliably for many years.

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“We never compromise on quality: To produce chronographs to the highest possible standards of quality and technical excellence, we continually push forward with new materials, industry-leading manufacturing processes, testing standards and quality management.”

Three unique IWC chronograph movements

IWC-manufactured 89000 calibre

The movements from this calibre family display the stopped hours and minutes combined in a totalizer at 12 o’clock. This feature makes reading the stop time particularly easy and leaves room for additional displays on the dial. Therefore, movements from this calibre family are ideal for combining a chronograph function with other complications like a perpetual calendar.

IWC-manufactured 59360 calibre

In a conventional chronograph, two push buttons at 2 and 4 o’clock control the stopwatch functions. By contrast, the hand-wound IWC-manufactured 59360 calibre uses a single push-button integrated into the crown to start, stop and reset the chronograph. Known as a “monopusher” chronograph, this construction boasts remarkable technical refinement and allows for a more discreet, unobtrusive chronograph design.

IWC-manufactured 69000 calibre

IWC developed this calibre with an uncompromising focus on robustness, reliability and longevity. Column wheel control ensures that individual phases in the switching sequence are clearly defined. Seamless integration with the basic movement and careful coordination of all components help to ensure that the correct rates are maintained even when the chronograph is subject to highly intensive use.

Engineered for performance

An innovative development from Schaffhausen is the IWC-manufactured 69000 calibre family, engineered with an uncompromising focus on robustness, reliability and longevity. Column-wheel control of the chronograph ensures that individual phases in the switching sequence are clearly defined. There is also a distinct tactile resistance when the buttons are pushed. Seamless integration with the basic movement and careful coordination of all components help to ensure that the correct rates are maintained even when the chronograph is subject to intense use.

Inspired by performance

The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph is the embodiment of a versatile modern sports watch and a reliable companion for every adventure. It is available in a range of case materials and diameters, dial colours and strap options.

Dedicated to the fictional “APXGP” team from the movie F1® THE MOVIE, the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph APXGP features a design in the team’s colors with black, gold and white elements. The mechanical chronograph movement in a classic column-wheel design is engineered with an uncompromising focus on performance, reliability, and precision.

Stopping power since 1980

1980
IW3700 - Porsche Design Titanium Chronograph 1
1994
IW3705 - Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Ceramic
2007
IW3799 - Pilot’s Watch Double Chronograph TOP GUN
2013
IW515103 - Portofino Hand-Wound Monopusher
2016
IW397204 - Portugieser Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month
2016
IW380701 - Ingenieur Chronograph Edition “W125”

IW3700 - Porsche Design Titanium Chronograph 1

IWC launched its first chronograph in 1980. The timepiece developed as part of the collaboration with Porsche Design was also the first chronograph in the world with a case and bracelet made of titanium - a light, robust metal that is enormously difficult to machine.

IW3705 - Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Ceramic

The Pilot’s Chronograph Ceramic in 1994 was IWC’s first Pilot Watch with a tough, scratch-resistant zirconium oxide ceramic case. The multi-stage process of transforming powdered raw materials into the engineering ceramics used for watch cases is highly complex.

IW3799 - Pilot’s Watch Double Chronograph TOP GUN

IWC launched the first Double Chronograph in 1992 with the 79230 calibre. The split-seconds hand can be stopped independently using the push-button at 10 o’clock, allowing two independent short-time measurements. A Double Chronograph was also IWC’s first TOP GUN watch in 2007.

IW515103 - Portofino Hand-Wound Monopusher

In a conventional chronograph, two push buttons at the 2 and 4 o’clock positions control the stopwatch functions. By contrast, the IWC-manufactured 59360 calibre integrates a single push-button into the crown. This “monopusher” chronograph boasts remarkable technical refinement.

IW397204 - Portugieser Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month

Movements from the 89000-calibre family are used to combine a chronograph with a perpetual calendar. They display the stopped minutes and hours together in a totalizer at 12 o’clock. This Portugieser features a chronograph and a perpetual calendar with a digital date and month display.

IW380701 - Ingenieur Chronograph Edition “W125”

In 2016, IWC launched its first chronograph from the 69000-calibre family. With their design focused on robustness and reliability, these chronograph movements feature in various IWC collections. The typical dial layout displays the stopped minutes at 12 o’clock for easier reading.