{"id":123551,"date":"2025-10-23T15:32:59","date_gmt":"2025-10-23T13:32:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/?p=123551"},"modified":"2025-10-23T16:14:18","modified_gmt":"2025-10-23T14:14:18","slug":"when-form-and-technology-are-equally-important","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/de\/article\/when-form-and-technology-are-equally-important\/","title":{"rendered":"When Form and Technology are Equally 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SLEEK<\/strong> Does a design process at IWC start with function or with a creative vision?<\/p>\n

Christian Knoop<\/strong> For the Engineer collection for example, we deliberately chose the headline \u201cForm and Technology\u201d because we don\u2019t want to follow the traditional interpretation of form follows function; instead, we see form and technology as equally important. As a luxury brand, we attach great importance to aesthetics \u2013 and this is one of the key motivations for acquiring a piece. We combine that with very high technical standards, which are rooted in our history. A design process is not always linear but thrives on ideas and inspiration from different areas \u2013 from the design engineer to the apprentice, from marketing to the CEO.<\/p>\n

SLEEK <\/span><\/strong>How is the IWC DNA reflected in the boutiques?<\/p>\n

CK<\/strong> The luxury mar<\/span>ket is incredibly dynam<\/span>ic. Many new watches <\/span>are well designed, but <\/span>the difference between <\/span>just another beautiful <\/span>watch and a success<\/span>ful product lies in cre<\/span>ating a clear identity. <\/span>That\u2019s why we invest a <\/span>lot of time refining the <\/span>IWC brand profile \u2013 in <\/span>products, communi<\/span>cation, and boutiques. <\/span>When you walk along <\/span>Hamburg\u2019s Neuer Wall, <\/span>there is one luxury bou<\/span>tique after another. The <\/span>question is: where do <\/span>we stand as IWC? We <\/span>have to do more than <\/span>just create a beautiful <\/span>space \u2013 it has to stand <\/span>out aesthetically and bring IWC\u2019s corporate <\/span>codes to life.<\/span><\/p>\n

SLEEK<\/strong> In what way are new models influenced by past watch collections?<\/p>\n

CK<\/strong> IWC has collections that are sometimes over 80 years old, such as the Pilot\u2019s Watch and Portuguese lines. These began as individual watches and have grown into complete collections. Our task as designers is to find a balance between history and the design codes that define these lines, while at the same time surprising our customers with new ideas, colours, materials, or functions.<\/p>\n

SLEEK<\/strong> How does the founding principle of 1868 \u2013 combining American product technology with Swiss craftsmanship \u2013 live on today?<\/p>\n

CK<\/strong> It\u2019s the basis for everything we do. We still use the slogan \u201cEngineers of Fine Watchmaking.\u201d This approach continues to set us apart. When you walk through the manufacturing centre today, you see this combination of technology and craftsmanship: state-of-the-art machines, 3D printing\u2026 yet all watch mechanisms are assembled by hand. Technology and craftsmanship go hand in hand.<\/p>\n

SLEEK<\/strong> Which areas of innovation is IWC active in?<\/p>\n

CK<\/strong> We have defined three areas: calen<\/span>dars and calendar functions, chronographs <\/span>with stop functions, and performance ma<\/span>terials. We are pioneers when it comes to <\/span>technical materials such as titanium and <\/span>ceramics, and we have continued to devel<\/span>op them further. We also collaborate with <\/span>institutes such as the DLR. These areas of <\/span>innovation give us a clear direction for the <\/span>coming years and decades.<\/span><\/p>\n

SLEEK<\/strong> How should an IWC watch feel on the wrist \u2013 not just physically, but also emotionally?<\/p>\n

CK<\/strong> This is the central question as to why people still choose a mechanical watch today. I could just check the time on my mobile phone, but whenever people make a conscious decision to invest in an IWC, it is precisely this feeling that matters. It\u2019s about what it does to me as the wearer \u2013 the fact that I have a watch on my wrist that was made in Schaffhausen, by a traditional company, and handcrafted. These are products with a very strong emotional power, and they appeal to people who appreciate beauty, history, and craftsmanship.<\/p>\n

SLEEK<\/strong> What makes IWC\u2019s design DNA so distinctive?<\/p>\n

CK<\/strong> We stand for a clear and purist design, but also for large watches. IWC watches have a certain size and legibility \u2013 even the ladies\u2019 watches. This clarity, size, and, at the same time, understated, timeless design are what makes IWC special.<\/p>\n

SLEEK<\/strong> Are there any specific projects you are planning for the future?<\/p>\n

CK<\/strong> There is indeed something in the pipeline. But I can\u2019t reveal too much yet, because it will be launched as a new product next year. It\u2019s extremely exciting; in some respects, the basics are being completely re-examined, with new functions added.<\/p>\n"}]},"yoast_head":"\nWhen Form and Technology are Equally Important - Sleek Magazine<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/de\/article\/when-form-and-technology-are-equally-important\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"de_DE\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"When Form and Technology are Equally Important - Sleek Magazine\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/de\/article\/when-form-and-technology-are-equally-important\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Sleek Magazine\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sleekmag\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-10-23T13:32:59+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-10-23T14:14:18+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@sleekmag\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@sleekmag\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Verfasst von\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"sleek\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/\",\"name\":\"Sleek Magazine\",\"description\":\"Sleek is Germany\u2019s leading independent media house\/brand for creativity and innovation located in Berlin the creative capital of the world. 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