Historical watches from the archives in Schaffhausen and novelties from SIHH 2018 among the highlights of the showcase
A hundred and fifty years is a long time to be in business. Good excuse as any to throw a party, then. For IWC, that means a two-week celebration in ION Orchard in May. In typical Swiss-German style, do not expect raucous revelry but a dignified showcase of the manufacturer’s milestones. There will also be highlights from its new Jubilee collection presented at SIHH 2018, which you can read about here.
The IWC Tribute to Pallweber Jubilee Edition is our favourite piece from the Jubilee collection. It is not hard to see why:
The 50-piece limited edition pocket watch is another handsome fellow.
That the Pallweber is an elegant expression of the digital and the analogue also resonates strongly with us. Robb Report Singapore thrives on being at the intersection of the digital and the analogue (print) worlds.
But enough about us. Here is what you can expect at the IWC 150th Anniversary Exhibition.
Design-wise, the exhibition will be a throwback to the early days of the manufacture. Think industrial stylings, though not of the hipster variety. At the time of its founding in the mid-19th century, the manufacture was set up on an industrial scale. It churned out more than 10,000 mechanical movements per year, an impressive feat in an era of small-scale production. You can delve deeper into the history of IWC here.
Making their way from Schaffhausen to Singapore are 10 of the most iconic watches IWC has ever designed and manufactured. This includes the Special Watch for Pilots Ref. 436 (1936); the Yacht Club Automatic Ref. 811 (1967), which was one of IWC’s first watches to be adorned with a blue dial; and the Lepine Pallweber III pocket watch (1886) that featured breakthrough jumping numerals.
In terms of the 2018 collection, besides the Tribute to Pallweber pocket- and wristwatches, on display will also be showstoppers like the diamond-encrusted Da Vinci Automatic Moon Phase 36 Edition “150 Years” and the Portugieser Constant-Force Tourbillon Edition “150 Years”.
All in, the IWC 150th Anniversary Exhibition promises to be a real treat for IWC fans, luxury watch connoisseurs, history buffs and aviation enthusiasts. Especially considering that the exhibition is a Singapore-exclusive and will not be travelling elsewhere.
Admission is free.
IWC 150th Anniversary Exhibition
1 – 13 May 2018
Level 1
Ion Orchard Atrium
2 Orchard Turn
Singapore 238801
