AWAbbady WatchesIndependent Horological Archive

Abbady Watch Archive

International Watch Co.

American watchmaker Florentine Ariosto Jones founded the International Watch Company in Schaffhausen to unite American-style industrial production with Swiss watchmaking skill. IWC developed a distinct engineering tradition in pocket watches, aviation instruments, marine chronometers, and complicated wristwatches.

Abbady photographic archive

International Watch Co. photographs

International Watch Co. archive photograph
IWC perpetual-calendar wristwatch in a rose-gold case, with calendar subdials, moon-phase display, and a signed Schaffhausen dial.
International Watch Co. archive photograph
IWC Pilot’s chronograph with a black aviation-style dial, bold Arabic numerals, day-date display, and multiple timing registers.
International Watch Co. archive photograph
IWC Ingenieur sports watch with an integrated metal bracelet, angular case construction, and textured black dial.
Archive information

Origins and period

Schaffhausen, Switzerland
Founded 1868

Historical overview

International Watch Co. in watchmaking

American watchmaker Florentine Ariosto Jones founded the International Watch Company in Schaffhausen to unite American-style industrial production with Swiss watchmaking skill. IWC developed a distinct engineering tradition in pocket watches, aviation instruments, marine chronometers, and complicated wristwatches.

Archive information

Known for

Pilot’s Watches, Portugieser, Ingenieur, Portofino, Aquatimer, Pellaton winding, and precision engineering.

Historical development

American watchmaker Florentine Ariosto Jones founded the International Watch Company in Schaffhausen to unite American-style industrial production with Swiss watchmaking skill. IWC developed a distinct engineering tradition in pocket watches, aviation instruments, marine chronometers, and complicated wristwatches.