The “International Watch Co.” was founded in Schaffhausen in 1868 by an American engineer from Boston, Florentine Ariosto Jones. The factory on the River Rhine – far from the watchmaking centres of western Switzerland – owes its name and its existence to this American. The superb craftsmanship, the training of its specialists, the renunciation of mass-production: all of these correspond to the old-established principles of IWC, to make watches in small numbers, but of the highest quality.

This IWC Grande Complication watch in platinum features a 42mm case, silver dial, and a crocodile bracelet. The IWC Grande Complication also features a self-winding chrono movement with minute repeater, perpetual calendar, and moon phase indicator. This watch is limited edition and water resistant to 10 meters.

This IWC Vintage Collection Da Vinci Automatic watch features a 41mm stainless steel case, a black dial, a shaped sapphire crystal, and a crocodile strap.The IWC Vintage Collection Da Vinci Automatic watch utilizes the self-winding IWC 80111 movement, which offers a date display and sweep seconds. This timepiece is water resistant to 30 meters.

Swiss luxury watchmaker IWC Schaffhausen scores some big screen time for its famous Pilot’s Watch Mark XVI in Roland Emmerich’s upcoming blockbuster 2012 – with a nice supporting turn from John Cusack.

Opening 13 November 2009, the movie riffs on the theory that the world will come to a screeching halt in 2012 and proposes a post-apocalyptic scenario. Against this spectacularly dismal backdrop, IWC’s Pilot’s Watch Mark XVI rises to save the day, ably assisted by Cusack’s Jackson Curtis character.

With its exceptional resilience, the Mark XVI is perfectly cast here. When you consider the inner soft iron case (protecting the movement from magnetic fields) and the antireflective sapphire crystal that is secured against displacement by pressure drops, this watch was born ready for action.

IWC Schaffhausen marks the opening of its first standalone boutique in Singapore by bringing out the horological big guns, including the Warhorse from Schaffhausen, once the most complicated wristwatch in the world.

Il Destriero Scafusia debuted in 1993 with 21 displays and functions, which at that time made it the most complicated wristwatch. The watch remains today one of the most important wristwatches ever made and marks an important milestone for IWC as it returned to its former glory.

As spectacular as it is, Il Destriero Scafusia is but one of the museum pieces that will be showcased at the brand’s ION store for a limited time. Other interesting pieces exclusively at the ION include the Grande Complication watch and Portuguese Minute Repeater Squelette.