Timeline Watch
1998

IWC UTC

The MP3 audio format is created

1998 IWC Pilot’s Die Fliegeruhr UTC (Universal Time Coordinated), featuring an hour hand that can be adjusted in one-hour steps and a GMT 24-hour display, ref. 3251.

The UTC (Universal Time Coordinated) time display, which is based on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). The current local time is indicated on the dial and this can be advanced or turned back via the crown in 1-hour steps, including beyond the date line. The wearers home time is displayed constantly via the 24-hour display and appears in a window on the dial.

The automatic movement IWC 37526 is based on ETA 2892-A2, which is chronometer grade, although not certified. IWC have built their own UTC GMT module and added it to this movement and the case is 39mm. The steel bracelet is not the best looking one but the best I ever wear in comfort and facility to add/remove links.

International Watch Co., also known as IWC, is a luxury Swiss watch manufacturer located in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, and founded by American watchmaker Florentine Ariosto Jones in 1868.

In 1991 IWC director Gnter Blmlein founded the LMH Group with its headquarters in Schaffhausen. With a 100% stake in IWC, 60% in Jaeger leCoultre and 90% in the Saxony-based watchmaking company of A. Lange & Shone, the Group employed some 1440 persons.

In July 2000, LMH was acquired by Richemont, a Zug-based luxury goods group, for CHF 2.8 bn. Despite the takeover by Richemont, IWC was guaranteed that it would continue to be managed by the same executives from the LMH Group.