The Rauschenbach Era of IWC - IWC History

Despite the huge success it enjoyed, IWC was sold to the Rauschenbach family in 1880. Since then, IWC entered into the Rauschenbach Era and its ownership was changed from American to Swiss. During this period, four generations of the Rauschenbach family dominated IWC with different names.

First Owner from Rauschenbach

The first owner from the Rauschenbach family was Johann Rauschenbach-Vogel, who was a local machine manufacturer at Schaffhausen. He bought the company in 1880. IWC was called Internationale Uhrenfabrik by then. But just one year later, Johann Rauschenbach-Vogel died and IWC was taken over by his son, Johannes Rauschenbach-Schenk, the second owner from Rauschenbach family.

Second Owner from Rauschenbach

Johannes Rauschenbach-Schenk was only 25 years old when he took over IWC. IWC was named Uhrenfabrik Von J. Rauschenbach by then. With the help of the experienced and loyal IWC staff called Urs Haenggi, Johannes Rauschenbach-Schenk ran the company successfully for 24 years until his death in 1905. During this period, sales grew significantly in the European market. IWC' motto, Probus Scafusia, meaning good solid craftsmanship from Schaffhausen, was also advanced at this time.

Third Owner from Rauschenbach

After the death of J. Rauschenbach-Schenk in 1905, his wife, two daughters and their husbands, Ernst Jakob Homberger (director of G. Fischer AG in Schaffhausen) and Dr. Carl Jung, became the new owners of IWC. They ran IWC as an open trading company by the name of the Uhrenfabrik Von J. Rauschenbach's Erben.

Later, E.J. Homberger took over the company as sole proprietor. He led the company through the most difficult times when the two world war and the world economic crisis broke out. His great contribution was honored in 1952 with a award of honorary doctorate by the University of St. Gallen.

Last Owner from Rauschenbach

E.J. Homberger died in 1955. His son Hans Ernst Homberger became the last of the Rauschenbach heirs to run IWC. He had joined his father's company in 1934 and took control of IWC since his father's death.

Hans Ernst Homberger's major task was to develop the company to keep it stay ahead of the increasingly fierce competition in the watch making industry. He built a new premise to the original factory, bought new machines, and set up modern pension fund for the staff. E.J. Homberger continued to run IWC as a sole proprietor. He died in 1986 at the age of 77.

Many of IWC's iconic watch models and technical breakthroughs were born during this period. For example, the IWC Ingenieur collection, the first automatic wristwatch with a soft-iron inner case, was introduced in 1955. In 1978, IWC introduced the world's first titanium watch case and bracelet. And the revolutionary IWC Da Vinci collection was unveiled in 1985.

The Rauschenbach Era of IWC - IWC History