IWC Ingeniuer

Stars Gather In Geneva For Watch Events

It may be awards season in Hollywood but that hasn't kept stars from convening in Geneva. The Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) in Geneva, also known as the International Fair of Fine Luxury Watchmaking, has brought international stars from movies, television, sports and more to Switzerland.

Some of the world's top sporting and entertainment stars came together at a special event to celebrate the launch of luxury watch brand IWC Schaffhausen's new generation of its Portofino watch family. The 'A Night in Portofino' event brought Cate Blanchett, Kevin Spacey, Matthew Fox, tennis legend Boris Becker and Elle Macpherson among others.

Around 900 guests where at the Italian style evening that included an exhibition by photographer Peter Lindbergh, whose shoot in the picturesque harbor town of Portofino featured a selection of international friends of the brands including party attendees Cate Blanchett, Kevin Spacey and Elle Macpherson.

The 21st Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie is held from January 17th to 21st 2011 in Palexpo, Geneva. The private trade fair is a landmark event for the fine watch sector, and at this year's show 19 watch brands will present their new products, including Baume & Mercier, IWC, Cartier and Mont Blanc. Other stars are also in Geneva to check out the watches including Gwyneth Paltrow who recently began working with Baume & Mercier.

Tags: cate blanchett, IWC Ingeniuer, iwc schauffhausen, kevin spacey, Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie, SIHH

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IWC Big Ingenieur Edition Zinédine Zidane Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

IWC Big Ingenieur Edition Zinédine Zidane Watch

Usually brands like IWC offer a single piece in celebration of a partnership with a new celebrity, athlete, or likewise. Yet here is the second timepiece by IWC made with French soccer (ahem, football) player Zinedine Zidane in mind. Again, using the Ingenieur watch as the palette - this time it is the Big Ingenieur watch and case that is the base. This watch is the Ingenieur version of the brand's very popular Big Pilot watch. They have similar dimensions being 45.5mm wide - here in steel. They also have the same wonderful in-house made Calibre 51113 automatic movements with an eight-day power reserve (complete with indicator on the dial). The unique black and red color schemes for the watch contain some hidden meanings that are important to fans of Zidane.

The limited edition piece is perfect for fans of the sport of the man. For the football fanatic father, this just might be the perfect father's day gift (assuming your budget and love of dad are robust enough). There will only be 500 of these new IWC Zinedine watches in the Big Ingenieur watch case. They are matched to a black alligator strap, and come with all the standard rugged durability that the Ingenieur watch case and design is famous for. Prices at $13,000.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Gallery: Big Ingenieur Edition Zinédine Zidane watch back

Tags: big, ingenieur, iwc, IWC Ingeniuer, limited edition, watch, Zidane

IWC: Totally Swiss in Design and Quality

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

With a deep connection to functionally themed luxury sport watches, IWC rejects an approach to watch making that focuses on form over function. In recent years according to one poll, IWC, which is nominated for a Luxist Award, has risen to be considered the top luxury watch brand among wealthy Americans. Frequently sighted on the wrists of athletes to actors and bankers, the wide adoption of IWC watches proves that watch lovers want timepieces with utilitarian roots.

IWC watches are split between two major styles, with activity themed offerings such as Pilot or Aquatimer diving watches, and classic "thinking person" styles such as the mega popular Portuguese or Ingeniuer timepieces. Equally proficient in steel or gold, IWC is also known to offers excellently finished movements of in-house design and manufacture. IWC is also known for offering luxury watches for a wide array of budgets from mid level luxury to the ultra high-end.

While a name like "International Watch Company" might sound universal, the brand is totally Swiss in design and quality. IWC watches have little trouble being recognized in most circles and benefit from a distinct lack of pretentiousness in their brand image. Owning an IWC luxury watch typically communicates that you buy nice watches for your own enjoyment, not merely for others to see.

Cast your vote for the Readers' Choice Awards at http://www.luxist.com/awards-vote/accessories-awards.

Tags: accessories-award, awards-main, iwc, IWC Aquatimer, IWC Ingeniuer, IWC Pilot, IWC Portuguese, IwcAquatimer, IwcIngeniuer, IwcPilot, IwcPortuguese, luxist-awards, watches