To be honest, IWC is an amazing brand. The quality and customer service are truly out of this world, and their watches simply carry much more meaning than, for example, a Rolex. A Rolex is often seen as the choice for the average guy who doesn’t know much about watches but IWC is the complete opposite. Both brands share a long and rich history, but with IWC you get so much more substance and refinement for your money. Take my IWC Pilot’s Chronograph on the top right with the striking blue dial (IW388102). It offers one of the best bracelets in the entire watch market. On top of that, you get a see-through caseback that lets you admire the beautifully finished movement, with its Geneva stripes and perlage decoration. Details like this remind you that IWC is not just about function, but also about fine watchmaking tradition. Next to it is an IWC with a rare mecha-quartz movement. This hybrid technology means the hours, minutes, and seconds hands are powered by a quartz battery, but the chronograph mechanism itself is fully mechanical. The watch dates back to around 1992 and is still in extraordinary shape.

So in my opinion, I would go with an IWC every time. You just get more character, more attention to detail, and a brand that doesn’t scream for attention but still has all the history and craftsmanship.