• Apprentice
    8 May 2017, 2:53 a.m.

    The 30110 is just an eta 2892, and I've read that eta now contracts much of the work out to Asian countries. Do we know if this movement is manufactured and assembled exclusively in Switzerland. About to pull the trigger on a Mark 18 but that would be a deal breaker. Cannot imagine wearing a $4,000 Swiss watch that is not entirely so by both parts and labor.

  • 8 May 2017, 7:45 a.m.

    Hello and welcome to the forum. I can assure you that no IWC movements are made in Asia.

  • Apprentice
    9 May 2017, 12:35 a.m.

    I reached out to IWC and promptly received this reply:

    In regards to your inquiry, although the movement in our Pilot's Watch Mark XVIII is not an in-house movement, it is assembled by IWC and undergoes the same strict testing as our in-house movements. None of our timepieces or movements are assembled in Asia.

  • Master
    9 May 2017, 3:37 p.m.

    So now we wait patiently for you to post a picture of your new 100% "Made in Switzerland" [or to be more politically correct... Made in Schaffhausen]timepiece.

    Get it, wear it proudly and show it here.

  • Graduate
    9 May 2017, 8:51 p.m.

    I'm surprised it's assembled by IWC. It thought it would be bought from ETA pre-assembled and adjusted by IWC.

  • Graduate
    10 Aug 2017, 7:04 p.m.

    Like the others said, the movement isn't assembled in Asia.
    However, some parts are manufactured in Asia like some crystals in Hong Kong and gaskets in China.

    It is still in compliance with the swiss made certification.

  • Connoisseur
    11 Aug 2017, 5:27 a.m.

    I think (do not KNOW only THINK) that as ETA does not sell any more kits Sellita may still do so and as such IWC may assemble movements from Sellita kits in da house. IWC (as any other competing brand) has to respect and respects regulations regarding what is to be done to have the right to place "SWISS MADE" on the dial but are not forced to go far beyond. So if you want to go even deeper into the topic you'd first read the named regulation and read a handful of threads of verious independent fora. Anyway, if you like the Mk XVIII you'd go and have one - won't regret it.
    Enjoy your IWC! Best,
    Robert

  • Master
    11 Aug 2017, 7:43 p.m.

    Well, perhaps 100% made in Switzerland, but not 100% in Schaffahausen...
    the movement comes from Grenchen...where ETA is located..
    just for the protocol..

  • Graduate
    11 Aug 2017, 8:21 p.m.

    False. Got some Hong Kong, Chinese and French parts. That's what I know from the spare parts packaging, haven't come across other countries yet.

  • Master
    11 Aug 2017, 9:35 p.m.

    Chinese parts..??...that's a serious claim...I hope you are wrong!

  • Master
    11 Aug 2017, 10:07 p.m.

    There are strict criteria imposed on Swiss watch companies to allow them to declare "Swiss Made". If the watch states "Swiss made" it complies with the rules. If you are not happy with the criteria applied to all Swiss watch companies then you need to contact the regulators or buy Japanese or German.

  • Graduate
    11 Aug 2017, 11:17 p.m.

    The gaskets are Chinese yes. It's not a claim, it's a fact, but there's no need to worry about that. As Rave said, IWC is complying with the Swiss Made certification. You can look the certification up, it's an interesting read.

  • Master
    12 Aug 2017, 9:45 a.m.

    I think you are taking things out of context- I am fully aware that 'Swiss Made' does not necessarily mean 100% Swiss Made, neither for watches, nor for other products. This is all fine, known and accepted.
    I was referring to the claim that IWC watches (Mark XIII, in the post) may contain 'made in China' parts, which with all due respect, we are all aware of the general perception associated with mass produced cheap Chinese products.

    Your suggestion to get Japanese or German watches instead of Swiss watches implies strongly that all other Swiss high-end manufactures have the same practice for the use of non-Swiss parts (of Chinese origin), something that I am far of being convinced that is indeed the reality.

  • Graduate
    13 Aug 2017, 12:22 a.m.

    Little correction about my previous posts :

    The non-Swiss countries of origin I've spotted were on spare parts meant for after-sales service. In the last months, some packaged spare parts started displaying countries of origin and that's where I could see gaskets from China, crystals from Honk Kong and pushers from France.

    Having no ties whatsoever with the production, I cannot comment on what's being put in new watches.

    I worked at the Swatch Group in the past and we did have Chinese folding clasps of awful quality to place on repairs. The difference in quality was really obvious.

    What's great on IWC spare parts is that even though some parts come from abroad, the quality is the same. I've tried comparing Swiss and Chinese gaskets and it's literally impossible to tell the difference in quality.

  • Master
    15 Aug 2017, 1:51 p.m.

    In the end the quality is what counts to the customer.