Gift Guide: Ideas for the Enthusiast Who Appreciates Elegant Utility, Inspired by IWC

When you think of IWC, you might conjure up an image of its aviator or military timekeepers, like the Big Pilot’s Watch, Mark XX, or Top Gun. Utility has long been a part of the Maison’s approach to design.

However, functionality has never come at the expense of aesthetics. From using materials that both serve a purpose and look striking to employing proportions that enhance legibility and create interesting architecture, IWC is adept at allowing form and function to build upon each other.
 

IWC enthusiasts share the brand’s respect for practicality and beauty. And this appreciation for designs built with purpose isn’t just reserved for their watch collection – it’s a philosophy, a state of mind, a lifestyle.

With this in mind, IWC has inspired us to build a gift guide that, of course, includes some of the brand’s exceptional timepieces but extends to all the places your adventures with an IWC watch might take you.

Among IWC’s brilliant collections, the Ingenieur stands out as a masterclass in utility and elegance. The model first came into the brand’s catalog in 1955 with functionality at the forefront. As the name suggests, it was developed with engineers and scientists in mind and built with an anti-magnetic design.
 

Fast forward two decades, and IWC sought to update the Ingenieur, enlisting the help of one of the foremost designers in horological history: Gérald Genta. Genta put his signature touch on the model, ushering it into the modern era with a bold and industrial aesthetic featuring an integrated H-link bracelet, a round bezel with five functional screws, and a dial with a unique grid pattern.

Since then, the Ingenieur has remained a mainstay of the IWC catalog and continued to evolve. There are countless versions, from time-only to perpetual calendars, featuring a variety of materials and dial colors. Our picks land on the perfect his-and-hers pair.
 

For the fellas, we love the all-black Reference IW338903 ($21,600), a 42mm iteration whose oversized build is offset by a lightweight ceramic construction. This is quite possibly the most contemporary and sporty version of the Ingenieur in the lineup.
 

In contrast, we prefer something a little more elegant for the ladies. Enter the Reference IW324903 ($43,600). She’s a compact 35mm in 18-karat 5N gold from head to toe – or rather case to bracelet.

Check out the Ingenieur collection page to learn more.

So, you’re already a die-hard IWC fan. You have one (or two) pieces in your collection. This one’s for you. Pack your bags, you’re going to Milan for the ultimate immersive watchmaking experience. The brand has teamed up with the Mandarin Oriental to offer IWC lovers a masterclass in the Maison.

Touch down in the heart of northern Italy and head to the city center for a luxurious stay at this five-star hotel. The highlight of your visit will be this hands-on workshop, where you’ll enjoy an aperitivo while learning the intricate art of disassembling and reassembling one of IWC’s timepieces.
 

Check out the Mandarin Oriental Milan website to learn more.

If you’re looking for a gift that’s a bit more laidback, how about something for the library? Every IWC enthusiast is inherently a lover of smart design, so they’re sure to adore a coffee table read that’s equally beautiful inside and out. With that in mind, Design, Second Edition: The Definitive Visual Guide ($44.60) is a comprehensive reference book that explores the evolution of design through the key people, manufacturers, objects, and the movements they inspired.
 

The text combines exceptional imagery and descriptive narratives, walking you through a mix of technology, prints, buildings, and interiors that illustrate how and why different design styles emerged and became popular. This volume also includes all the great names and manufacturers who have influenced the field of design, such as William Morris, the Bauhaus, Alvar Aalto, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Vitra.

Lighting is a good gift choice, even if you don’t know someone’s home decor vibe inside and out. The Sten Floor Lamp ($2,895) from DWR is a classic.

Whether they need to set the mood for a gathering with fellow watch enthusiasts or provide the perfect ambiance for a wrist shot, this versatile lamp has them covered. It offers dimming options to create the desired environment. Moreover, the light is easy to reposition, thanks to a rotating base that allows the entire lamp to swivel.
 

We know every IWC lover appreciates vintage touches and finer details. As a cherry on top, the Sten Lamp (named for the Swedish word for “stone”) features an easy-to-operate control knob that evokes the analog satisfaction of a vintage stereo dial.

Okay, this next one is literally a foolproof gift idea because I dare you to find anyone – IWC enthusiast or not – who doesn’t adore receiving a candle. And since we know an IWC connoisseur likes something above average, why not up their candle game with this Fornasetti Grande Architettura candle ($509) from Luisaviaroma?

Here, you have a stunning design whose neutral color palette would suit any aesthetic. The proportions are versatile at 17cm x 14cm x 11cm while still offering a substantial burn time of around 119 hours (that’s approximately 10 revolutions of the hour hand around your IWC dial).
 

Still, we know the most important element of a candle is, in fact, the oh-so-cozy smell that fills the room. A distillation of the entire Fornasetti world in an elegant yet intense scent, the Immaginazione fragrance is a blend of cedar, sandalwood, and Mediterranean herbs from the Casa Fornasetti garden in Milan.

A fresh cup of juice while reading the latest stories on Watchonista with your trusty IWC strapped to your wrist – coming right up! For the watch lover who also loves to get their hands dirty in the kitchen, we found the perfect gift: the Frieling Citrus Juicer ($230).

First, you get the functionality you need that perfect squeeze, whether you’re serving up mimosas for a brunch with your closest collector buddies or mixing up margaritas for a viewing party to cheer on the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team.
 

Like IWC’s watches, this Frieling citrus press isn’t just a workhorse – it has its own design sensibility with a sleek stainless steel build and clean lines that will look handsome on your kitchen countertop.

Whether you book that trip to Milan for the IWC masterclass or plan to check out the public days at next year’s Watches and Wonders, we know every seasoned collector is going to find themselves traveling in the new year. While your watch is your best companion, you also need a smart, durable piece of luggage for the journey.

Well, good news! Nobl Travel is changing the game with its award-winning carry-on ($279) that’s decked out with all the bells and whistles – a phone mount, cup holder, laptop pocket, charging ports, and bag hooks for your duty-free impulse purchases – and that’s all before you even open the suitcase.
 

Inside, you have enough space for a perfect 5 to 7-day trip, including an interior compression system and a water-resistant toiletry pocket, all in an airline-approved size, complete with a zipperless TSA lock system.

For more information on all the watches the brand has to offer, check out the IWC website.