The 21 Best IWC Watches You Can Buy in 2025

When it comes to variety, few brands can rival IWC Schaffhausen. Their lineup is one of the most extensive in the industry, having dipped their toes in just about every genre you can think of.

Most people know them for their iconic Pilot’s watches, but IWC also nails the dress watch game with the Portugieser and Portofino as well as proving prowess with high-performance sports and dive watches with the Ingenieur and Aquatimer. There’s a lot to choose from.

So that raises the question: which IWC models are actually the best to buy right now? After spending hands-on time with pretty much the entire IWC collection over the years, I feel confident sharing which ones truly stand out.

So whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned collector, these are the 21 IWC watches that, in my opinion, deserve your attention.

Who Are IWC Schaffhausen & Why Are They Worth Your Wrist?

IWC Schaffhausen has one of those fascinating origin stories that makes you appreciate the brand even more. Founded all the way back in 1868 by American watchmaker Florentine Ariosto Jones, IWC started out crafting beautifully ornate pocket watches in Switzerland.

But like many great watch brands, their path shifted with experience. By the 1940s, with war on Europe’s doorstep, IWC turned its focus to building tough, highly legible, no-nonsense tool watches for pilots. And just like that, a new legacy was born.

Today, IWC is still best known for their Pilot’s Watches, but that’s far from the whole picture. Their modern lineup includes elegant dress pieces like the Portugieser and Portofino, serious tool watches like the Aquatimer and Ingenieur, and even high-complication masterpieces that show off their horological talent.

So, why are they worth your wrist? Because few brands can move so confidently between rugged and refined, sporty and sophisticated. It’s not an easy thing to master without losing your whole personality, and yet IWC do it, and they do it well.

The Best IWC Watches You Can Buy in 2025

With such a wide-ranging catalogue, narrowing down the best IWC watches isn’t exactly easy, especially when so many models bring something unique to the table. But after plenty of hands-on time with the collection, I’ve picked out the standouts: the pieces that truly embody what IWC does best.

IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41

The IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 is everything you love about classic aviation watches, just trimmed down, tuned up, and made infinitely more wearable.

Inspired by the utilitarian cockpit instruments of WWII, this model keeps the flieger DNA intact but adds modern finesse. The 41mm case, reduced down from previous 43mm versions, hits that sweet spot for everyday comfort, while still delivering full-on wrist presence.

Inside, it’s powered by IWC’s in-house 69385 caliber, a robust, column-wheel chronograph movement with day-date complication, 46 hours of power reserve, and a sapphire caseback so you can admire the engineering.

The sunburst blue or green dial options bring just enough flair to keep things interesting without straying from its tool-watch roots. Legibility is excellent, naturally, and the quick-release strap system is a slick, practical upgrade.

Prices start from $7,400

IWC Big Pilot’s Watch 43 Tourbillon Markus Bühler

A technical evolution of one of IWC’s most cult-status designs, the IWC Big Pilot’s Watch 43 Tourbillon Markus Bühler is a tribute to a piece first imagined in 2003 by then-apprentice Markus Bühler.

He created a turbine-themed prototype that took flight with a 12-piece run in 2008 and now fifteen years later, Bühler revisits his own legacy, this time merging the signature turbine with a fully integrated flying tourbillon.

Crafted from lightweight titanium, the 12-blade turbine isn’t just decorative but acts as the tourbillon cage, rotating with a red-dot seconds indicator at 6 o’clock.

It also presents a polished platinum and downsized 43mm case which houses IWC’s in-house calibre 82905 with an 80 hour power reserve and Diamond Shell-coated escapement.

Fitted with a Cordovan strap and Bühler’s signature hidden underneath, this 51-piece limited edition is a real collector’s item.

Price starts from $131,000

IWC Pilot’s Watch Mark XX

IWC are pretty good at the silent release, where they don’t even bother with a press release or a marketing campaign, and instead just quietly drop a new watch onto their website.

The Mark XX was one of these under-the-radar launches, slipping into the lineup without fanfare. But despite the stealthy debut, it turned out to be a significant update to a classic model.

The case proportions were refined, the dial slightly tweaked, and most importantly, IWC finally fitted it with an in-house automatic movement and bumped the power reserve to an impressive 120 hours.

It quietly became one of the best everyday pilot’s watches on the market, offering all you want in a comfortable, high-quality luxury pilot’s watch including a 100 meter water resistance and lume on a range of dial – the crisp white of model IW328207 being my personal favourite.

Price starts from $5,250

IWC Big Pilot’s Watch AMG G 63

It’s a watch you’ll either love or hate, but for me, I love it. The IWC Big Pilot’s Watch AMG G 63 is a bold collaboration between IWC and Mercedes-AMG, blending high-performance engineering with horological innovation.

Inspired by the iconic G-Class SUV, its 46.5mm case is crafted from a groundbreaking Ceramic Matrix Composite (CMC), developed over ten years with the German Aerospace Center. This material is ultra-lightweight, scratch-resistant, and highly durable.

The dial mimics the AMG’s air intakes, featuring a unique bi-compax layout with a 7-day power reserve indicator and small seconds.

Inside beats IWC’s in-house caliber 52010, boasting a full week of power thanks to its Pellaton winding system. Finished with a black rubber strap and subtle AMG branding on the caseback, this watch is as much a statement piece as it is a technical marvel.

Price starts from $47,400

IWC Pilot’s Watch Timezoner Edition “Le Petit Prince”

IWC’s connection with Le Petit Prince goes beyond just a pretty blue dial. It’s a heartfelt tribute to Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, the pioneering aviator and beloved author of The Little Prince.

This motif has since become a cherished hallmark of IWC’s special editions, blending literary magic with aviation heritage and the Timezoner Edition “Le Petit Prince” carries that tradition beautifully.

There are several Pilot’s Le Petit Prince models worth your attention, but this one stands out for IWC’s patented Timezoner function, a clever bezel mechanism that lets you change time zones instantly by pressing and rotating the bezel.

No fiddling with the crown, no stopping the watch, just pure Swiss ingenuity that’s perfect for travelers. The 46mm stainless steel case houses the in-house Caliber 82760 and the sunray blue dial matches all too perfectly with the warm brown leather strap.

Price starts from $14,200

IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Tourbillon Le Petit Prince

And with that, here’s another stunning tribute to Le Petit Prince, this time from IWC’s iconic Big Pilot’s family, a collection that needs no introduction for lovers of bold, beautifully engineered pilot’s watches.

This watch celebrates the pilot-author’s legacy with a rich blue ceramic case paired with elegant 5N gold accents and a highly complex perpetual calendar and tourbillon complication.

Featuring IWC’s in-house Caliber 51950, it combines a perpetual calendar that’s as reliable as it is poetic, displaying date, day, month, and even a moon phase with the Little Prince himself perched on his asteroid, a function that will only need correction once every 577 years.

Topping it all off is a flying tourbillon at 12 o’clock, a mechanical marvel that not only looks spectacular but helps regulate the watch’s accuracy. Keep in mind this is a big, commanding watch at 46.5mm and over 16mm thick.

Price starts from $113,000

IWC Portugieser Automatic 40

This one’s a staple for IWC and their flagship dress watch in my opinion, the refined, understated, and quietly elegant Portugieser Automatic 40 is the modern interpretation of the brand’s original ref. 325 from the 1930s.

It keeps the essentials like the bold Arabic numerals, a sub-seconds dial at 6, and a clean, balanced layout but updates it with modern movements and dimensions.

Sized at 40.4mm wide and 12.3mm thick, it wears comfortably on a wide range of wrists and feels substantial without being bulky. Inside is the in-house calibre 82200, offering 60 hours of power, IWC’s ceramic-reinforced Pellaton winding system, and a clear display caseback.

It comes in a range of dial colours, including classic silver, black and navy blue as well as some bolder choices like copper, pastel blue and dark red. The case also arrives in stainless steel or 5N gold.

Price starts from $5,250

IWC Portugieser Perpetual Calendar 44

If the Portugieser Automatic 40 is IWC’s elegant staple, the Portugieser Perpetual Calendar 44 is its technical showpiece and a masterclass in mechanical watchmaking born from the legacy of Kurt Klaus.

This 44.4mm piece blends tradition and innovation with an in-house calibre 52616 offering a seven-day power reserve, dual moon phases accurate to 577.5 years, and crown-only setting of all calendar indications.

Despite its size of 14.9mm thick, it wears surprisingly well thanks to a slimmer case ring and double-domed sapphire crystals that maximize visual impact without feeling bulky.

The lacquered dials are exceptional, made from 15 layers of lacquer, with deep subdials and applied markers. Colorways include a striking Obsidian black with Armor Gold, Horizon blue in white gold, and a soft Dune tone that adds modern warmth.

Prices start from $46,500

IWC Portugieser Hand-Wound Tourbillon Day & Night

In a collection already stacked with complicated releases, the Swiss watchmaker continues to impress with the IWC Portugieser Hand-Wound Tourbillon Day & Night watch.

Reference IW545901 is housed in Armor Gold, the brand’s patented solid gold alloy and frames an Obsidian black lacquered dial that’s as rich as it is reflective.

The centrepiece though is the featherweight flying minute tourbillon at 6 o’clock, weighing just 0.675 grams across 56 components paired with a 24 hour rotating globe at 9 o’clock, elegantly illustrating the eternal dance of day and night.

Inside beats the hand-wound calibre 81925, a new movement that trades an automatic rotor for visual purity and 84 hours of power reserve.

Price starts from $79,300

IWC Portugieser Eternal Calendar

An easy one to include on this list, the IWC Portugieser Eternal Calendar marks a huge achievement for the Schaffhausen-based watchmaker as they join a very exclusive club with only the fourth true secular perpetual calendar ever made for the wrist.

While traditional perpetual calendars require correction every 100 years due to leap year exceptions, IWC’s new caliber accounts for all leap year anomalies until at least the year 3999. Even more astonishing is its moonphase complication, now accurate for 45 million years, obliterating the previous record.

Powered by the IWC-manufactured 52460 caliber, the Eternal Calendar adds only eight components to the brand’s standard perpetual movement, thanks to an ingenious cam and Maltese cross system.

This technical feat is housed in a platinum case measuring 44.4mm by 15mm, with a double-domed sapphire and striking glass dial architecture. It may not be IWC’s most daring visual design, but the achievement is historic.

Price starts from $135,000

IWC Portugieser Yacht Club Chronograph

The Yacht Club sub-family within IWC’s Portugieser collection brings a welcome injection of sporty practicality to what is traditionally a dressier, more formal line.

Introduced in the 1960s, the Yacht Club was conceived as a more rugged companion to the classic Portugieser, tailored for life at sea. Key distinctions include enhanced water resistance, more robust cases, and chronograph complications built with nautical timing in mind.

The Yacht Club maintains the elegant DNA of the Portugieser with its own selection of clean dials, Arabic numerals, and refined proportions but adds a layer of athleticism that suits contemporary lifestyles with large chronograph pushers, rubber straps and larger cases.

As always, there’s plenty of configurations to choose from, each with a 44.6mm wide case and the in-house 89361 calibre with flyback chronograph functionality and a 68 hour power reserve.

Price starts from $12,600

IWC Portugieser Tourbillon Mystère Rétrograde

The IWC Portugieser Tourbillon Mystère Rétrograde is one of the few watches in the collection I haven’t had the chance to experience in the metal – and that’s probably down to the price tag.

But even without handling it firsthand, I can already tell this one’s special just from the photos and spec sheet. It’s one of those rare pieces where IWC flexes its full watchmaking muscle.

Most striking is the flying tourbillon at 12 o’clock, a mechanical spectacle of 82 components that seems to hover weightlessly in the dial’s upper half. It rotates once every 60 seconds, counteracting the effects of gravity on the balance and elevating timekeeping precision to art.

Just as captivating is the retrograde date display which arcs back to “1” at month’s end in a clean, satisfying sweep. Inside, the in-house calibre 51900 delivers an impressive 7 day power reserve, visible through a sapphire case back.

Price starts from $103,000

IWC Portofino Perpetual Calendar

As you can probably tell by now, IWC are no strangers to the perpetual calendar complication and it’s a big reason why many collectors turn to them when looking for one. It’s a complication found throughout nearly every IWC collection, but one of my favourite executions is the IWC Portofino Perpetual Calendar.

The Portofino line has always stood out for its quiet elegance with Roman numerals, slim feuille hands, minimalist dials and a more classic dress-watch silhouette compared to the nautical-inspired Portugieser.

And yet, even with this more understated design language, the Portofino Perpetual Calendar doesn’t hold back on complexity. At 40mm, it’s the smallest perpetual calendar IWC offers, yet it still packs in a full display across three subdials, plus a gold moonphase against a starry night sky.

Inside is the in-house calibre 82650, featuring IWC’s rugged Pellaton winding system and a solid 60 hour power reserve.

Price starts from $25,200

IWC Portofino Automatic 34

A lot of IWC watches are tailored to midsize or larger wrists, but the Portofino line is ideal for those who prefer more compact dimensions, whether that’s men with a taste for smaller watches or women who want something refined and mechanical.

The IWC Portofino Automatic 34 is a perfect example of that sensibility, and it really encapsulates everything the Portofino collection stands for.

Classic, elegant, and unfussy, the Portofino Automatic 34 offers a clean stainless steel or solid gold case measuring just 34mm across and 8.6mm thick, making it incredibly easy to wear.

It houses IWC’s reliable automatic calibre 35100 which beats at 4 Hz and offers a 50 hour power reserve. My personal favourite model in this family is the reference IW357405.

It pairs the steel case with a dark green dial and matching alligator strap, highlighted by simple but beautiful diamond dot hour markers. It’s the perfect balance of elegance, uniqueness, and simplicity.

Price starts from $4,950

IWC Portofino Automatic Day & Night

Another 34mm watch, the IWC Portofino Automatic Day & Night is proof that elegance and mechanical charm can thrive in a more compact case size.

It introduces a poetic complication to the Portofino line, a day & night indicator nestled neatly at 6 o’clock, that shows the passage of time not just numerically but visually, with a rotating disc that reveals the sun at noon and the moon at midnight.

Reference IW659801 features a stainless steel case, a deep blue dial, and 66 brilliant-cut diamonds set into the bezel and dial, adding just under a carat of sparkle.

Rhodium-plated hands and hour markers complete the refined dial while a soft, luxurious blue calfskin strap with a butterfly clasp and IWC’s quick-change system ensures comfort and versatility on the wrist.

Price starts from $11,400

IWC Ingenieur Automatic 42 Black Ceramic

The 2023 re-release of the IWC Ingenieur made a significant impact, reviving a classic model with a modern twist that instantly caught the attention of watch enthusiasts.

Among the standout pieces is the Ingenieur Automatic 42 in black ceramic which marks a first for IWC as they offer the iconic Gérald Genta-inspired integrated bracelet design in full ceramic.

This watch’s multi-part ceramic case construction is a technical marvel, blending satin finishing, sandblasting, and polishing to create a refined matte-black look that’s incredibly scratch-resistant yet lightweight.

The case, bezel, crown, and even crown protection is crafted from black zirconium oxide ceramic, showcasing IWC’s nearly 40 years of expertise with this advanced material.

Inside, the in-house 82110 calibre powers the watch and delivers a robust 60 hour power reserve. The black dial sports the signature “Grid” pattern with Super-LumiNova filled hands and markers, ensuring legibility in all conditions.

Price starts from $19,500

IWC Ingenieur Automatic 35

Another exciting new release for the Ingenieur collection in 2025 is the IWC Ingenieur Automatic 35. This fresh addition introduces three compact, elegant versions, perfect for those who prefer a smaller, sport-luxury watch without compromising on style or substance.

Available in an 18-carat 5N rose gold case with a matching gold-coloured dial (Ref. IW324903), and two stainless steel models with either a silver-plated dial (Ref. IW324901) or a sleek black dial (Ref. IW324906), the Automatic 35 offers something for every taste.

Despite its more modest 35mm diameter and a slim 9.44mm thickness, the watch retains the iconic design features that define the Ingenieur like the distinctive bezel with five functional screws and the integrated bracelet that connects through its middle links.

The dial showcases the signature “Grid” pattern made of tiny lines and squares, a standout detail that adds texture and depth. Finishing the design is a sapphire case back that reveals the beautifully decorated 47110 calibre with 42 hours of power reserve and a gold-plated rotor.

Price starts from $9,950

IWC Ingenieur Perpetual Calendar

And of course, the Ingenieur collection wouldn’t be complete without a perpetual calendar complication thrown in for good measure.

The IWC Ingenieur Perpetual Calendar 41, introduced at Watches and Wonders 2025, marks the first time IWC has combined Gérald Genta’s iconic Ingenieur design with the legendary perpetual calendar developed by Kurt Klaus in a stainless steel model.

The 41mm case, bezel, and integrated H-link bracelet showcase a refined mix of satin-finished and polished surfaces while the blue dial, adorned with the signature “Grid” pattern of small lines and squares, adds depth and reflects light beautifully.

Three subdials display the date, day, month, and a perpetual moon phase so precise it will only deviate by one day every 577.5 years. A leap year indicator is discreetly integrated, while rhodium-plated hands and markers filled with Super-LumiNova ensure excellent legibility.

Price starts from $38,900

IWC Aquatimer Automatic

Finally, we’re onto IWC’s last collection, the Aquatimer, and there are three models here definitely worth a look, especially if you want a high-functioning dive watch. First up is the IWC Aquatimer Automatic.

Built with a robust construction and a water resistance up to 300 meters, this 42mm dive watch features a corrosion-resistant stainless steel case and a striking textured dial.

The diving-relevant markers are cleverly coated with luminous material for excellent underwater legibility which is crucial when you’re deep below the surface where little light reaches your wrist.

Inside, the IWC-manufactured 32111 calibre powers the watch offering and an impressive 120 hour power reserve. The best feature though is the external/internal rotating bezel with IWC’s SafeDive system.

The external bezel’s rotation is transmitted via a sliding clutch to the internal bezel which always turns counterclockwise. This ensures that even if the bezel is accidentally moved, the dive time cannot be extended, so divers are always kept safe.

Price starts from $6,400

IWC Aquatimer Chronograph

Next up is the IWC Aquatimer Chronograph, another diver’s watch designed for those who want dive-ready toughness with added stopwatch functionality.

Housed in a 44mm corrosion-resistant stainless steel case, this one is again water resistant to 300 meters but adds chronograph counters on a black or blue dial for extra functionality, whether that’s timing dives or surface intervals.

It still features IWC’s innovative external/internal rotating bezel system with the SafeDive mechanism and finishes things off with the signature IWC quick-change system, allowing you to swap out the rubber strap quickly and easily depending on your needs, be it wet suit, dry suit, or daily wear.

Price starts from $7,600

IWC Aquatimer Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month

The final IWC watch I’m mentioning today is the IWC Aquatimer Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month, and if you’ve made it this far, thanks for sticking with me.

Inspired by IWC’s prop work for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, this 49mm diver is crafted from Ceratanium, IWC’s proprietary material that merges the lightweight strength of titanium with the scratch resistance of ceramic. It’s rugged, stealthy, and packed with high-tech features.

The black dial is accented with blue or red Super-LumiNova details, adding bold contrast and legibility both underwater and in low light. But the real showstopper is the perpetual calendar with digital displays for both date and month.

Inside is the IWC 89802 calibre, offering a flyback chronograph and a 68 hour power reserve. Only 25 pieces of this ultra-limited, ultra-capable diver exist, making it a rare and seriously impressive final entry in IWC’s lineup.

Price starts from $57,600

Conclusion

It’s safe to say there’s no shortage of choice when it comes to IWC. Whether you’re drawn to the rugged cool of the Pilot’s watches, the technical wizardry of a perpetual calendar, or the classic elegance of the Portofino, there’s truly something here for everyone.

And while not every model hits the same high notes, there really aren’t any “bad” IWC watches, just some that sing louder than others.

My advice is to start with the Pilot’s or Portugieser collections depending on the aesthetics you’re drawn to and don’t sleep on anything with a perpetual calendar. They’re famous for a reason.