Well known for their striking designs and quality, IWC watches have been a favourite of many watch enthusiasts since the company was founded in 1868. Modern IWC watches undergo advanced and rigorous development and testing using advanced electric discharge machines and computer-aided design. IWC parts can be made with tolerances as little as 0.001 millimetres; one hundredth the width of a human hair. Each IWC development watch undergoes a rigorous set of tests, one of which involves the watch being shaken 264,000 times in a box at forces of up to 500 g.

The Pilot’s watches made by IWC are on a level with the best in the business. In the 1940s a soft iron core was installed in the case of the watch which protected the movement from magnetic fields. This eventually became common practice in the industry. IWC are unusual in the fact that, as of 2015, there are no ladies’ models in their line-up. Their motto is 'Probus Scafusia,' meaning 'good, solid craftsmanship from Schaffhausen'.