IWC was founded by Florentine Ariosto Jones, a Boston-born watchmaker, in 1868 in Switzerland. He enlisted the help of a Swiss watchmaker. This is combined with modern technology and water power derived from the Rhine River to produce the highest quality watch movements possible. After being founded for many years Ownership of the factory was transferred to the Swiss in 1880. Johannes Rauschenbach-Vogel bought this company It has been owned and operated by four generations under different names. Although ownership is transferred from generation to generation But the brand still adheres to its product philosophy.