IWC Corporate Social Responsibility and Corporate Sustainability

IWC realises its commitment to corporate social responsibility and corporate sustainability by determining areas in which the business impacts society and by which the business is impacted. By measuring and managing our progress on these topics of relevance, or materiality, we can assess and improve our impact on society. By integrating sustainable business practices, we embody our principles in each IWC watch. Among other international platforms, we are committed to contributing to the agenda set out in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, or SDGs.

Our success is fuelled by a global workforce of approximately 1,200 passionate employees. We are a global organization that embraces and prioritizes diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. All aspects of the employment relationship – including recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, compensation and benefits – are carried out by all managers without regard to gender, race, colour, religion, age, sexual orientation, ethnic/national origin or disability. Our success is inextricably linked to the training and development our colleagues receive, and we offer a broad spectrum of training, covering everything from leadership to technical know-how, creative development and sustainability. Employees are vital to realizing sustainability at IWC, and we engage each of our stakeholders in our sustainability programmes, involving them in a range of activities and seeking their expertise when we design new initiatives. 

As a member of the global community, we have a responsibility to all our stakeholders to engage in environmentally conscious business practices. That is why we continuously measure and manage our environmental impact with the aim of decoupling economic growth from emissions. We prioritize resource and operations efficiency and extend this commitment to encouraging and supporting our employees and business partners to do the same. 

Our Supply Chain, Marketing, Design and Product Management teams work together to manage our sourcing in an efficient and conscious way. All suppliers are subject to an advanced selection process whereas diamond, gold and leather suppliers must pass a yet more advanced selection process before a business relationship is established. IWC has achieved RJC Code of Practices certification since 2014. 100 per cent of diamond and gold suppliers, and 75 per cent of cases and bracelets suppliers are RJC-certified. 

IWC’s identity is closely connected to our hometown of Schaffhausen. As part of our efforts to ensure a social licence to operate, we engage with the local community in multiple ways, including through the provision of programmatic funding and corporate volunteering. This is complemented by our support of global initiatives related to environmental and social sustainability. We support select non-profit organizations through cash donations, including through the sale or auction of special-edition watch models, which generate sales revenue for project funding.