Ep. 180: Discussing IWC's 2021 Novelties with CEO Chris Grainger

Today on the Worn & Wound podcast, we welcome Chris Grainger, the CEO of IWC. We talk to Chris about IWC’s latest tech-forward watches, take a deep dive into their unique ceratanium material, discuss the finer points of handset selection, and look forward to what IWC might have in store in the not too distant future. While we often associate IWC with their pilot’s watches, there’s a lot going on at the brand in terms of advancing new tech, and if you’re interested in interesting new watchmaking technologies, particularly as they relate to sports watches, you’ll want to give this one a listen. 

Before our interview with Chris, take a look at what we think was some pretty big news to drop a few weeks ago, and that’s a new release from Frederique Constant. The Slimline Monolithic Manufacture uses a silicon oscillator as a replacement for the balance and balance spring, which is a pretty major technological advancement that few brands have even attempted, and Frederique Constant has accomplished at a price point far below the likes of some of the Swiss luxury brands that have played in this market. We break down the new tech and give our thoughts on what this means for the brand in the first half of the podcast. 

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Show Notes

• Zach W’s wrist check: Grand Seiko SBGA375
• Zach K’s wrist check: G-Shock GA2100
• Blake’s wrist check: IWC ref. 3706
• Frederique Constant Slimline Monolithic Manufacture
• Flexous
• Frederique Constant’s Perpetual Calendar
• TAG Heuer Mikrogirder
• IWC Top Gun Chronograph SFTI
• IWC Tribute to 3705
• IWC’s expansive pilot’s watch collection