Most Affordable IWC Watches: A Complete Entry Level Buyer’s Guide

The most affordable IWC watch is the Portofino Automatic, which retails for around $5,200 in stainless steel with a leather strap. Most entry level IWC models fall between $5,200 and $7,500 at retail, while pre-owned examples often start at $3,900+. This guide breaks down starting prices across every IWC watch collection, ranks the models with the lowest cost of entry, and explains how the pre-owned market can bring the price down even further.

Key Takeaways

The Portofino Automatic is IWC’s least expensive model, priced at about $5,200 at retail.

Most entry level IWC watches cost between $5,200 and $7,500 as of July 2026.

The Pilot’s Watch collection offers the lowest point of entry into the brand.

Pre-owned IWC watches often sell for 20 percent or more below retail, with some models available at $3,900.

Several IWC models under $6,000 feature in-house movements with five days of power reserve.

Affordable is a relative term in luxury watchmaking, and IWC Schaffhausen sits firmly in the luxury category. Still, the brand offers several genuine points of entry that cost far less than most people expect, especially on the secondary market. The sections below walk through each of those options so you can find the right IWC for your budget without giving up the engineering and heritage that define the brand.

How Much Do Entry Level IWC Watches Cost?

Entry level IWC watches start at about $5,200 at retail, with the Portofino Automatic holding the lowest price in the current catalog. From there, most of the brand’s accessible models sit between $5,200 and $7,500, while the catalog climbs well past $100,000 for grand complications like perpetual calendars and minute repeaters. On the pre-owned market, authentic IWC watches regularly trade at a starting price of about $3,900, which makes the secondary market the most practical route for buyers working with a tighter budget.

Each of IWC’s five core collections has its own starting point. The table below shows the least expensive path into each family, based on retail pricing as of July 2026.

Collection | Starting Model | Case Size | Movement | Starting Price (Retail)
Pilot’s Watches | Pilot’s Watch Automatic 36 | 36mm | Caliber 35111 | ~$5,300
Portofino | Portofino Automatic | 40mm | Caliber 35111 | ~$5,200
Aquatimer | Aquatimer Automatic | 42mm | Caliber 32111 | ~$6,700
Portugieser | Portugieser Automatic 40 | 40.4mm | Caliber 82200 | ~$7,700
Ingenieur | Ingenieur Automatic 40 | 40mm | Caliber 32111 | ~$11,200

The Most Affordable IWC Watches, Ranked by Price

The ranking below covers current production models in their standard stainless steel configurations, ordered by retail price from lowest to highest. Pre-owned examples of each can usually be found for meaningfully less, and we note where the secondary market offers the biggest savings. Every watch here is a legitimate IWC through and through, built in Schaffhausen with the same quality standards applied across the catalog.

1. IWC Portofino Automatic

The IWC Portofino Automatic is IWC’s most affordable dress watch, with a retail price near $5,200 and pre-owned prices starting around $4,000. Named after the fishing village on the Italian Riviera, the IWC Portofino takes a quieter approach than the brand’s aviation pieces. The dial keeps things simple with slim Roman numerals, leaf shaped hands, and a small seconds or date display depending on the reference.

Inside is the automatic Caliber 35111, the same reliable movement found in the Automatic 36. This is the IWC to choose if your wardrobe leans toward suits and dinner reservations rather than flight jackets, and pre-owned examples are common enough that patient buyers can find them at healthy discounts.

Case size: 40mm stainless steel

Movement: Caliber 35111, automatic

Power reserve: approximately 42 hours

Water resistance: 3 bar

Retail price: ~$5,200

2. IWC Pilot’s Watch Automatic

At roughly $5,300 retail and $3,900 pre-owned, the Pilot’s Watch Automatic 36 is another affordable watch IWC currently sells. Its 36mm stainless steel case makes this IWC Pilot’s Watch one of the most wearable pilot’s watches on the market, and it stays true to the design language of the military watches IWC built in the 1930s and 1940s. Experts have pointed out that this model may be the most historically faithful pilot’s watch in the modern IWC lineup, since the original references worn by pilots were closer to this size than the oversized cases common today.

The watch runs on the automatic Caliber 35111 and includes an inner case made of soft iron, a traditional feature that protects the movement from magnetic fields. It also comes on a leather strap from Italian shoemaker Santoni, a detail usually reserved for far more expensive watches.

Case size: 36mm stainless steel

Movement: Caliber 35111, automatic

Power reserve: approximately 42 hours

Water resistance: 6 bar

Retail price: ~$5,300

5. IWC Aquatimer Automatic

The Aquatimer Automatic is IWC’s most affordable dive watch, retailing around $6,700. It is built for actual use in the water, with 300 meters of water resistance and IWC’s SafeDive system, an external bezel that controls an internal rotating ring and can only move the dive time in the safe direction. Current versions of the IWC Aquatimer run on the in-house Caliber 32111 with its five day power reserve.

At 42mm, the Aquatimer wears larger and sportier than the rest of this list, which suits its purpose. For buyers who want one watch that can handle the ocean, the gym, and the office, this is the strongest candidate in the entry level IWC range.

Case size: 42mm stainless steel

Movement: Caliber 32111, in-house automatic

Power reserve: 120 hours

Water resistance: 30 bar

Retail price: ~$6,700

6. IWC Portofino Chronograph 39

Priced near $6,800, the Portofino Chronograph 39 is the least expensive chronograph IWC makes. It pairs the collection’s elegant Roman numeral dial with twin subdials and a day and date display at 3 o’clock, all in a 39mm case that keeps the proportions refined rather than sporty. The result of this IWC Portofino is a dress chronograph, a combination that few brands execute this cleanly at this price.

The movement is IWC’s Caliber 79350, built on the proven Valjoux 7750 architecture that has powered respected chronographs for decades. It is a workhorse with an excellent service record, and it keeps the price accessible compared to chronographs with manufacture movements, which at IWC start at more than double this figure.

Case size: 39mm stainless steel

Movement: Caliber 79350, automatic chronograph

Power reserve: 44 hours

Water resistance: 3 bar

Retail price: ~$6,700

7. IWC Portugieser Automatic

The Portugieser Automatic opens the door to IWC’s flagship collection at about $7,700. The IWC Portugieser dates back to 1939, when two Portuguese businessmen asked IWC for a wristwatch with the precision of a marine chronometer, and its slim bezel, railway track minute ring, and applied numerals have barely changed since. Many collectors regard it as one of the most beautiful dress watch designs ever made.

This model runs on the in-house Caliber 82200 with IWC’s Pellaton winding system and 60 hours of power reserve. It costs more than the other watches on this list, but it represents the entry point to the collection most associated with the brand, and its design will look as current in twenty years as it does today.

Case size: 40.4mm stainless steel

Movement: Caliber 82200, in-house automatic

Power reserve: 60 hours

Water resistance: 3 bar

Retail price: ~$7,450

Starting Prices by IWC Collection

If you prefer to shop by collection rather than by individual model, this section shows where each IWC family begins. Every collection has its own personality, from tool watches with military roots to refined dress pieces, so the right starting point depends as much on your lifestyle as your budget.

Pilot’s Watches, From ~$5,300

The Pilot’s Watch collection is IWC’s largest and offers the lowest cost of entry into the brand. It begins at about $5,300 with the Automatic 36 and extends through the Spitfire, Mark XX, and Top Gun lines before reaching the Big Pilot’s Watch at $8,950 and beyond. Aviation history runs deep here, and the collection’s legible dials and rugged builds make these the most practical IWC watches for daily wear.

Portofino, From ~$5,200

The Portofino is IWC’s understated dress collection, starting around $5,200 for the Automatic 40. It covers time only models, chronographs, and complications like moon phase displays, with most references staying under $10,000. This is the collection for buyers who want Schaffhausen quality in a design that whispers rather than shouts.

Aquatimer, From ~$6,700

The Aquatimer collection begins near $6,700 and represents IWC’s dive watch expertise, which dates back to 1967. The standard Automatic covers most needs, while chronograph versions and special editions tied to ocean conservation push prices higher. All Aquatimers share the SafeDive bezel system and serious water resistance.

Portugieser, From ~$7,700

The Portugieser starts at about $7,700 with the Automatic 40 and climbs quickly from there. This is IWC’s flagship family and home to its most celebrated complications, including the Portugieser Chronograph near $8,500 and perpetual calendars well into five figures. The entry price is higher, but so is the collection’s standing among collectors.

Ingenieur, From ~$11,200

The Ingenieur is IWC’s integrated bracelet sports watch, designed originally by Gérald Genta, and it starts around $11,200 in stainless steel. It sits outside the affordable conversation at retail, though pre-owned examples of earlier generations can be found for considerably less. We include it here for completeness, since it rounds out the brand’s five core collections.

Buying Pre-Owned: The Smartest Way to Own an IWC

The pre-owned market is where IWC becomes genuinely accessible. Because IWC produces watches in larger numbers than brands like Rolex or Patek Philippe, secondary market prices tend to sit 20 to 40 percent below retail for most references. That means a Mark XVIII that sold for over $5,300 at retail can often be found between $3,900 and $4,500, and older Portofino references sometimes trade below $4,500. For the price of an entry level model at the boutique, a pre-owned buyer can often step up a full tier, into a Portugieser or a Pilot’s Chronograph.

Discontinued references offer the deepest value. The Mark XVII and Mark XVIII, earlier Portofino Automatics, and previous generation Aquatimers all deliver the full IWC experience at prices that undercut the current catalog by a wide margin. Online communities consistently point to the Mark series as the best used IWC value, since these watches were built to military specifications and age gracefully. As with any luxury purchase on the secondary market, the seller matters as much as the watch. Keep these guidelines in mind:

Buy from an established dealer that guarantees authenticity and stands behind every sale.

Look for watches that include original box and papers, which support both authenticity and resale value.

Ask about service history, and budget roughly $800 for a service if one is due.

Verify the reference number on the watch against IWC’s records for that model.

Treat prices far below market as a warning sign rather than a bargain.

Confirm the dealer offers a return window and a warranty on the movement.

What You Get at IWC’s Entry Point

Even at its most accessible price, an IWC delivers engineering that most brands reserve for higher tiers. The standout example is the Caliber 32110 family found in the Spitfire, Mark XX, and Aquatimer, an in-house movement with five days of power reserve in watches priced between $3,900 and $6,500. Pilot’s models add an inner case of soft iron for magnetic protection, a feature rooted in the brand’s military contracts, and even the least expensive reference in the catalog ships on a Santoni leather strap. These are not stripped down watches built to hit a price. They are full members of a catalog produced in Schaffhausen since 1868.

Context helps here. Watches at similar prices from other respected brands often rely on supplied movements with two days of power reserve or less, and experts frequently note that IWC’s entry range competes on specifications with pieces costing thousands more. That said, an honest assessment cuts both ways. Some rival brands offer better bracelets at this price, and IWC’s least expensive models use movements based on outside architecture. What IWC provides that those alternatives cannot is the heritage of one of Switzerland’s historic manufactures, and in the luxury watch world, that provenance carries real weight.

How to Choose Your First IWC Watch

The right first IWC depends on how you plan to wear it, not just what it costs. The differences between these models come down to size, style, and movement, so start with the role the watch will play in your life and work backward to find a pre-owned reference. Use this framework as a shortcut:

Best movement for the money: Pilot’s Watch Automatic Spitfire 39, with an in-house caliber and five days of power reserve under $5,000 pre-owned.

Dress watch: Portofino Automatic 40, the most refined option in the accessible range.

One watch for everything: Pilot’s Watch Mark XX, with 100 meter water resistance and quick change straps.

Chronograph: Portofino Chronograph 39, the least expensive way to get an IWC with stopwatch functionality.

Sports and diving: Aquatimer Automatic, rated to 300 meters.

Maximum value overall: a pre-owned Mark XVIII or Portofino, often available under $4,500.

Affordable IWC Watches That Reward You for Years

Affordable IWC watches prove that a first step into Swiss luxury does not require a five figure budget. The Pilot’s Watch Automatic 36 opens the catalog at about $5,300, the Spitfire 39 adds an in-house movement for under $5,500. Shop the pre-owned market and those numbers drop further, often into the low $4,000s for references that carry the same Schaffhausen pedigree.

The real lesson of IWC’s entry range is that affordability here is about choosing the right starting point, not accepting a compromise. Whichever direction you lean, seeing these watches in person or in detailed listing photos will tell you more than any spec sheet. Browse our pre-owned IWC collection to compare current inventory and prices, and reach out if you would like help finding the reference that fits your wrist and your budget.

FAQs About Affordable IWC Watches
The entry level IWC watch costs about $5,200 at retail. On the pre-owned market, authentic IWC watches often sell between $4,900+ depending on the reference, condition, and whether box and papers are included. IWC’s entry level watch is the Pilot’s Watch Automatic 36, a 36mm stainless steel pilot’s watch with an automatic movement and an antimagnetic soft iron inner case. Despite holding the lowest price in the catalog, it is one of the most historically faithful designs IWC makes, closely echoing the military watches the brand built in the 1940s. The entry price for IWC watches is roughly $5,200 at retail. Prices rise from there through the Portugieser and Big Pilot lines, reaching six figures for grand complications. The least expensive IWC chronograph is the Portofino Chronograph 39, which retails for about $6,700. It uses the Caliber 79350, a proven automatic chronograph movement, and pairs stopwatch functionality with the Portofino’s dress watch styling. Pre-owned IWC chronographs, including earlier Portofino and Pilot’s references, can often be found for less. Yes, entry level IWC watches are worth buying because they share the same Schaffhausen build quality as the rest of the catalog. Several models under $6,200 include in-house movements with five days of power reserve, and Pilot’s references add antimagnetic protection developed for military use. You are buying into a manufacture with over 150 years of history, not a diluted version of it. IWC watches hold moderate resale value, typically less than Rolex but in line with most peers at their price level. Popular references like the Mark series and Portugieser Chronograph retain value best, while less common models can depreciate more from retail. This works in favor of pre-owned buyers, who can purchase at market prices and avoid most of that initial drop. Yes, IWC is a true luxury watch brand. Founded in Schaffhausen, Switzerland in 1868, it is part of the Richemont group alongside brands like Jaeger LeCoultre and A. Lange & Söhne, and it produces its own manufacture movements, including perpetual calendars and minute repeaters. Its position in the market places it above accessible luxury brands and within reach of the industry’s top tier.