Feast your eyes on these favourite IWC watches of ours here at Jura Watches and choose a special timepiece for Christmas 2024.
IWC Schaffhausen is in the top ten most recognised watch brands on the market. The manufacturer is famous for incorporating exquisite watchmaking techniques with the brand’s aviation-inspired roots. It also makes some incredibly solid, beautifully looking sports watches too, that just so happen to be some of the best choices when it comes to gifting a special and thoughtful Christmas gift this year. So if you’re on the lookout for a brand that offers centuries-old history and acquires an elite following of collectors, we’re bound to have something perfect for you in this guide to the best IWC watches for Christmas 2024. Let’s get stuck in…
IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph TOP GUN ref. IW389401
The IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph TOP GUN was always a favourite of renowned actor Robin Williams. He’d been pictured on the front of magazines with one and had even attended some of the watchmaker’s most important events in years gone by. He was an incredibly cool guy wearing an incredibly cool watch. But it wasn’t the fact that this cool watch was worn by such a cool person that made it so cool. TOP GUN watches by IWC have always been cool, including the 2023/2024 release of the IWC Plot’s Watch Chronograph in black. So, black is tactical and tool-like and not exactly a “wear all year-through” kind of timepiece, right? Wrong. Clad in a stealthy black ceramic, the reference IW389401 belongs to a series of watches under the “Colour of TOP GUN” collection – a family of bold monochromatic watches that come in colours of Woodland Green, Lake Tahoe, (white), and sand-coloured “Mojave Desert”.
This fully black model is far from extravagant but that’s what makes it so perfect for pairing with practically everything you own in your wardrobe. Ideal as a gift for a loved one this Christmas, the 100M water-resistant case measures a 41.9mm diameter and holds the 69380 Calibre at its centre, complete with a power reserve of 46 hours and 242 individual hand-arranged components. The no-nonsense, no-frills watch even has uncoated steel chronograph pushers for added contrast, and features the collectable TOP Gun decoration on the caseback, concealing the column wheel-modified movement behind its solid titanium surface. Coolness personified.
IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Lake Tahoe TOP GUN
Speaking of the TOP GUN series and IWC’s expertise in the realm of coloured ceramic, the Lake Tahoe edition of the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph collection is inspired by the fascinating winter landscape surrounding the freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevada. For those who love tactical mission-based wristwatches these models developed for elite pilots of the TOP GUN flight school will appreciate all the details of this model, including its emblematic white ceramic case, black dial with luminous markers and hands, and a titanium caseback, complete with the iconic TOP GUN logo.
IWC Pilot’s Watch Automatic Mark XX ref. IW328203
If you’re really serious about gifting an IWC watch to a loved one this Christmas, all you need to know is that this Pilot’s Watch Automatic Mark XX is a direct descendent of the original Mark 11 design – one of the watchmaker’s most popular and successful pilot’s watches of all time. IWC experts let the essence of the Mark XX do all the talking in this design. This is a simplified tool that does away with anything considered non-essential in a pilot’s watch, leaving nothing but pure, undiluted IWC craftsmanship behind. The watch follows in the footsteps of the anti-magnetic Mark 11 instrument of 1948 – a tool utilised by the British Royal Air Force.
This 40mm IWC Pilot’s Watch Automatic XX has a blue dial with rhodium-plated hands that promises superior legibility thanks to their coating of Super-LumiNova. Developed from corrosion-resistant stainless steel and topped with a strong piece of anti-glare sapphire crystal glass, this watch guarantees a solid performance whether you’re tackling challenging manoeuvres in the sky or standing with your feet firmly on the ground. Of course, in true IWC Pilot’s Watch style, the dial features the recognisable luminous triangular indicator at 12 o’clock and is powered by an in-house developed engine – the Calibre 32111. Perfect for anyone who considers themselves a true IWC fan, the Mark XX is a real hidden gem nestled within the brand’s aviation watch collection and signifies the brand’s reversion to pure, purpose-driven instruments from its past.
IWC Watch Portugieser Chronograph ref. IW371604
Before we look at this reference in detail, I think it’s important to look at the Portugieser watch collection and why it remains such an integral part of the company’s portfolio. It goes a little like this. Back in 1939, IWC received a request from two Portuguese businessmen who were looking for a large watch that offered all the accuracy of a pocket watch and in a similarly large size. IWC fulfilled the brief without hesitation and fitted the Portugieser with an original pocket watch movement. Little did IWC know at the time, it would go on to be one of the brand’s bestsellers. It was thin, reliable and large in size, creating a huge wrist presence. In 1993 IWC brought back the iconic design with several references becoming one of the most sought-after designs.
The IWC Portugieser Chronograph ref IW371604 is a harmonious blend of form and function. All components operate as if they were destined to be in this compact 41mm design together. Smaller in size than original Portugieser watches, this stainless steel model is perfect for slipping under the cuff of a work shirt and will make a great, practical companion for anyone who spends a lot of their time in work attire. The model’s white-silver-plated dial is a perfect backdrop for a set of golden feuillle hands. IWC is recognised for its leaf-shaped hands, which have become a signature design language throughout the brand’s classic collections. The chronograph counters in this timepiece are arranged in a bi-compax layout, with displays sitting at the northern and southern axis of the dial. A back alligator leather band finishes this model perfectly, alongside a reliable engine capable of performing at a rate of 28,800 vibrations per hour.
IWC Watch Portofino Automatic ref. IW356517
if you take the time the take a deeper look into the Portofino watch collection by IWC, you’ll see several timepieces that perfectly reflect the inspiration from which they were first conceived. The Portofino in particular is a wonderful celebration of Italian elegance and class. The designs are beautifully proportioned and have been inspired by the relaxed way of life encountered within the famous Italian fishing village.
In this design, IWC combines a silver-plated dial with golden Roman numeral hour markers at 12 and 6 o’clock. All other hour markers on the dial comprise stick markers that are refined, needle-fine and simplified. Without intruding on the dial, the feuillle hands feature once again, tracing the passing hours of the dial whilst protected underneath a piece of crisp sapphire crystal. For fans of the elegant dress watch, the IWC Portofino is certain to tick all the boxes, including a beautifully engineered movement and a quality luxury leather strap for hours and hours of wristwear.
If you’d like more information on any of the IWC watches we’ve featured in this guide, get in touch with a member of our Jura Watches sales team today on 01335 453453 or email us on help@jurawatches.co.uk.
