IWC Schaffhausen Unveils Groundbreaking Portugieser Eternal Calendar at Watches and Wonders Geneva
IWC Schaffhausen, renowned for its pioneering innovations in luxury watchmaking, has introduced the Portugieser Eternal Calendar, setting new benchmarks in precision engineering and aesthetic elegance. Revealed at Watches and Wonders Geneva, this extraordinary timepiece represents a monumental leap forward in perpetual calendar technology.
“Since Kurt Klaus developed his legendary perpetual calendar in the 1980s, IWC Schaffhausen has accumulated unique expertise in mechanical calendars that are ingeniously efficient in their design and easy to use. With the new Portugieser Eternal Calendar, we now venture further than ever before, touching the limits of eternity. Our first secular perpetual calendar automatically takes into account the Gregorian calendar’s complex leap-year exception rules by skipping the leap year three times over 400 years. True to the spirit of engineers who are always pushing the boundaries, we have also fitted this technical marvel with a moon phase display that will only deviate from the moon’s orbit by one day after 45 million years,” stated Chris Grainger-Herr, CEO of IWC Schaffhausen.
Revolutionary Perpetual Calendar Technology
The Portugieser Eternal Calendar showcases IWC’s unparalleled expertise in calendar complications, featuring the brand’s first secular perpetual calendar. Designed to accurately account for the nuances of the Gregorian calendar, including leap-year exception rules, this groundbreaking timepiece seamlessly integrates centuries of calendar data into its mechanical framework.
Translating the intricacies of the Gregorian calendar into a mechanical wristwatch represents one of the most formidable challenges in fine watchmaking. The Portugieser Eternal Calendar is programmed to accurately calculate leap years until at least the year 3999, with a revolutionary 400-years gear ensuring precision for generations to come.
Unprecedented Lunar Precision
Continuing its legacy of precision, IWC has elevated the accuracy of its moon phase displays to unprecedented levels. The Portugieser Eternal Calendar features a Double Moon™ indication, meticulously crafted to showcase the moon’s orbit with unparalleled accuracy. Through meticulous engineering and simulation of over 22 trillion combinations, IWC has developed a reduction gear train that ensures the moon phase display deviates from the lunar orbit by only one day after 45 million years.
Exquisite Craftsmanship and Design
Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, the Portugieser Eternal Calendar boasts an intricately finished platinum case and a black alligator leather strap from Santoni. The use of glass elements, including a glass dial and double box-glass sapphire crystals, offers a captivating view of the ingenious mechanism inside, enhancing both transparency and elegance.
Inside the platinum case beats the newly developed IWC-manufactured 52640 calibre, featuring a highly efficient Pellaton winding system and a seven-day power reserve. Elaborately finished with circular graining and Geneva stripes, the movement can be admired through the box-shaped sapphire glass case back.
Pushing the Boundaries of Horological Excellence
The introduction of the Portugieser Eternal Calendar reaffirms IWC Schaffhausen’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of horological excellence. With its revolutionary perpetual calendar technology and unparalleled precision, this remarkable timepiece stands as a testament to IWC’s enduring legacy of innovation and craftsmanship in the world of luxury watchmaking.
For more information, please visit IWC.com.