IWC Schaffhaussen Offers Customised Guided Virtual Tours

In light of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and social distancing guidelines, Swiss luxury watchmaker IWC Schaffhausen is now launching a new guided virtual tour for the watch enthusiasts who aren’t able to travel to its headquarters in Switzerland.

With these newly developed virtual tours, visitors will go on an interactive, personalised and memorable journey of discovery, bringing them as close as possible to our home in Schaffhausen, no matter where they may be. Not only will they gain exciting insights into our history and the complex engineering behind our timepieces, but they will also be immersed into the world of IWC in a completely new way.

Christoph Grainger-Herr, CEO of IWC Schaffhausen

An exciting new virtual experience will enable watch enthusiasts to explore IWC’s headquarters from their own homes. Via a live stream from Schaffhausen, visitors will be able to take a customised tour of the museum and manufacturing centre, as well as observe first-hand a watchmaker at work, using the Swiss company’s innovative new Cyberloupe technology.

 

Offering the same insight enjoyed on the ever-popular in-person tours, each virtual journey will be adapted to the specific interests of guests and narrated in real-time by knowledgeable guides. A highly interactive and unique experience, the tours’ ease and convenience will open up IWC’s world and its iconic timepieces to more people than ever before.

The journey begins with an introduction to the brand’s rich history before a guide welcomes guests to the manufacturing centre. Short videos with live commentary and video links to different departments place visitors at the heart of the watchmaking process. From the production of movement parts, to cases and assembly, every significant step is covered. Guides also offer a deep-dive into more specific topics like mechanical decoration or advanced case materials, if desired.

 

IWC’s patented Cyberloupe technology delivers another tour highlight. The specially developed version of a watchmaker’s magnifying glass features an integrated camera and network connection, allowing visitors to stream the watchmaker’s viewpoint in real-time to their screens. An unprecedented way to explore the inner workings of a movement or learn about complications, the Cyberloupe allows online visitors a fascinating look at IWC’s intricate work.

Exploring IWC’s manufacturing centre online using such up-to-date digital technology suits the building perfectly. Inaugurated in 2018, the factory reflects the same blend of tradition and modern production methods championed by founder Florentine Ariosto Jones in 1868. State-of-the-art machinery and meticulous handcraftsmanship are brought together under one roof. Similarly, the virtual tours rely on modern communication channels to enable visitors from anywhere in the world to discover the brand’s heritage and future at just the touch of a button.

 

The new virtual tours will be available from September 28th, via IWC.com, IWC boutiques and official retail partners. For bookings and for more information please contact visit@iwc.com. Come into the beautiful of IWC.

 

 

 

 

Schaap en Citroen opens a Vintage Watches boutique

Since 1888, Dutch jeweler Schaap en Citroen has been a popular address for prestigious watches and jewellery, from brands such as Cartier, Chopard, Jaeger LeCoultre, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, and Rolex, to name just a few.

Now Schaap en Citroen – with branches in Amsterdam – is expanding its number of stores with a Vintage Watches boutique in the Amsterdam 5-star Conservatorium hotel. A brand new concept for the jeweler’s house: second-hand watches are available in the boutique. Schaap en Citroen offers a realistic and competitive price for the timepiece worn. Visitors can also exchange their worn watch for a new product, for example.

Schaap en Citroen Jewelers offers a wide range of pre-owned watches from the most exclusive brands including Blancpain, Breguet, Jaeger LeCoultre, Patek Philippe, Vacharon Constantin, Cartier, Chopard, Rolex, Audemars Piguet, IWC, Omega, and Hublot. An exclusive number of this unique collection can be viewed in the new boutique in the Conservatorium Hotel. The trade-in procedure for second-hand watches can also be arranged online via the website.

Even if you are not looking for a new watch, a visit to the boutique is worthwhile. Interior designer Rob Feenstra has provided the store with a stylish interior with furniture from Fendi Casa and Bentley Home.

Vintage Watch boutique can be found in the Van Baerle Shopping Gallery at the Conservatorium hotel, which is open maardag: 13: 00 to 17: 45. Tuesday-Saturday: 11: 00 – 20: 00, and Sunday from 13.00 to 17.00 o’clock. Phone number: 020 – 2384792.

Come in the beautiful and timeless world of Schaap en Citroen.

IWC Portuguese Hand-Wound Eight Days 75th Anniversary Edition

One of the most iconic watches ever created, the IWC (at the time International Watch Company) Portuguese was launched in 1939 with a number of dial versions.

Unveiled at the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie 2015, the new IWC Portugieser Hand-Wound Eight Days 75th Anniversary Edition pays tribute to a version of the original Portugieser that until now has been fairly unknown. Fortunately, an original version of this model had remained in a private collection, and became a source of inspiration for IWC’s designers.

This historic piece features all the attributes which have defined the appearance of the Portugieser to this day: Arabic numerals, slim feuille hands, railway-track-style chapter ring and small seconds at 6 o’clock. However, the inner chapter ring, hour indices and Arabic numerals are aesthetically very prominent in gold brown with black edging.

IWC’s in-house 59215-calibre movement – beating at a frequency of 4 hertz, or 28,800 vibrations per hour – supplies the watch with energy for 8 days. Actually, it would be almost 9 days, were it not for an system that blocks the movement after the first 192 hours, or precisely 8 days. Through the transparent sapphire-glass back, it is possible to verify the remaining power reserve.

The red gold version with silver-plated dial has adopted the colour scheme and company logo of its forebear almost without change except for the new date display on the subdial at 6 o’clock. The stainless steel version of the Portuguese 75th Anniversary Edition features a matte black dial in contrast with light green elements.

The coved bezel, a typical design characteristic of the Portugieser line, and the arched-edge sapphire glass help to make the case appear less bulky despite its 12-millimetre height and 43-millimetre diameter.

The luxurious alligator leather straps, handcrafted by the Italian shoe manufacturer Santoni, are true masterpieces of craftsmanship and uniqueness, thanks to the nuanced shade of the leather, which makes each strap unique in its special patina-like shine with individual color tones.

The Portugieser Hand-Wound Eight Days 75th Anniversary Edition will be available in a limited edition of 175 watches in red gold (ref. IW510206) while the stainless-steel version (ref. IW510205) is limited to 750 watches.

The IWC Portuguese Hand-Wound Eight Days 75th Anniversary Edition is available at selected stores worldwide. Come into the beautiful and timeless world of IWC.