COMPANY

Our approach to sustainability

Our Strategy is rooted in the understanding that sustainability is not just a moral imperative but a strategic necessity for sustained business success. Embedding sustainability into IWC’s strategy ensures that we comply with regulatory requirements, but also creates opportunities for growth and innovation.

The IWC Schaffhausen Manufakturzentrum building
Group photo of the IWC Sustainability Committee

Our world is changing. The pace of innovation has never been faster. We, as a company have a responsibility to be sustainable and responsible.

At IWC Schaffhausen, we have been pushing boundaries since 1868. In the name of engineering. In the name of innovation. Progress is not a destination, but rather a continuous journey towards a better future. To see change, you have to engineer change.

For more than a decade, IWC has progressed year on year on its commitments to act responsibly. This journey signifies our forward-thinking and long-term vision – thinking beyond our time. Since 1868, we have built on our history as a luxury Swiss watchmaker with a commitment to engineering excellence and an innovative spirit. Our commitment to sustainability is guided by these same tenets because we are not only crafting timepieces that stand the test of time, we are staying true to our promise of Engineering Beyond Time.

We invite you to follow us on the journey – and to become an active part in it.

Your IWC Schaffhausen Sustainability Committee

Our progress to date

Our strategy was shaped on comprehensive insights garnered through a bottom-up approach that involved key stakeholders across the organization. The Strategy is composed of eight “Strategic Actions”, focusing on transforming the organization’s approach to sustainability from a compartmentalized effort into a universal responsibility, understanding and reducing the environmental impact of our materials and products, reducing greenhouse gas emissions across our operations and supply chain, enhancing transparency and responsibility in sourcing, integrating biodiversity and nature conservation into our core operations, helping to foster health and well-being within the organization and inspiring and equipping young people with essential skills in sports and engineering.


What we do: Case studies

Restoring Posidonia

Posidonia Oceanica, a seagrass species commonly found in the Mediterranean, is a strong natural defense against climate change; it captures and absorbs 15 times more carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere than a similar sized piece of the Amazon rainforest. In general, between 50–80% of the oxygen we breathe is produced by marine plants. Posidonia is threatened due to climate change, ocean waste, human activity and an invasive alga species.

Posidonia exploration of the sea floor
Two Posidonia divers on the surface of the sea

Restoring Posidonia

In line with our engineering spirit, we are supporting pioneering scientific methods to help engineer the recovery of the marine ecosystem in Costa Brava, Spain. The project aims to reverse biodiversity loss and combat climate change, both of which are material topics for us. Our investment has enabled scientists to test the feasibility of this experimental method. No long-term studies exist to proof the success and resilience of Posidonia replanting; however, the project is building on existing work, recommendations and methodologies, which is why financial investment and continuous monitoring are essential to inform and optimize this pioneering approach.


Sustainable Strap Alternatives

IWC’s leather alternatives offer a luxurious look and feel, never compromising on quality, durability, or wearing comfort. At the same time, they are manufactured with a particular focus on sustainability and the conservation of natural resources. 

Cutting straps out of a large material sheet roll
Cutting straps out of a large material sheet roll
IWC watch fitted with a MIRATEX Strap
Back side of a Leather Strap stamped with production information

Navigating our sustainable future

Whether precious metals, leather or innovative materials, we’re particular when it comes to sourcing. We openly communicate where we source our materials, how we pick our suppliers and how we hold them to account.

Innovative materials

Laureus Sport for Good Foundation

The Foundation is a global non-government organisation uses sport as an effective tool to help children and young people overcome violence, discrimination and disadvantaged circumstances. The Foundation operates in line with the Sustainable Development Goals and addresses the following six social issues: Health, Education, Women and Girls, Employability, Inclusive Society and Peaceful Community. In 2022, our contributions helped the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation support 304 programmes across 42 countries and territories with grants, training and other technical assistance. Programmes were delivered in the Americas, Asia and Europe impacting a total of 244,116 children and young people of which nearly 48% were girls and young women and 52% boys and young men. These programmes change the lives of children and young people. We held several initiatives in 2022 and 2023 to raise funds for the Laureus programmes.

Laureus sporting event featuring a young soccer team

Each year, we organise a drawing competition for children and teenagers based on a theme aligned with one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)*. Young people from Laureus supported programmes participate in the contest submit artwork that reflects their interpretation of the topic. The theme for the 2022 competition was “Time for Planet”, which focused on protecting the environment and tackling climate change. Three finalists were selected from programmes in Brazil, South Africa and Spain. The winner was João Paulo, a 13-year-old participant in Bola Pra Frente, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, a project that uses sport and cultural literacy to develop socio-emotional skills and citizenship in its community. João Paulo and his Bola Pra Frente programme can look forward to a visit by IWC and Laureus ambassadors.


Engineering opportunities

At IWC, we want you to dream big, define, and build your own success with a lasting impact beyond time. With us, you have the freedom to be an entrepreneur and to engineer your career. This is our promise to you, and it makes IWC a truly unique place to work.

Great Place to Work award - April 2023 to April 2024
Great Place to Work award - April 2023 to April 2024
IWC Apprentices
An IWC Mediamatiker

Achieving the Great Start!

Certification means that our apprenticeship program is original and inclusive, offers variety and an excellent foundation for these trainees to develop their skills and grow in our industry.

Learn more

Sustainability practices in operations

At IWC, we know that our long-term success depends on the care and respect with which we treat our two most important resources: people and the natural world.

IWC Headquarters in Schaffhausen
IWC Headquarters in Schaffhausen
Solar Panels on the roof of a building
The scrap metal recycling process

Water usage

Water is a precious resource and we are committed to using it responsibly. In Schaffhausen, we are fortunate to have sufficient water resources including the Rhine River, and groundwater sources close to our facilities. The freshwater we withdraw at our Headquarters and Manufacturing Centre is primarily used to heat and cool our buildings, for production purposes and general use. We measure every litre we take. Our water system is circular; groundwater used is released in equal quantity back into the groundwater or our local rivers. We also collect and discharge rainwater back into our local rivers.