IWC Schaffhausen has unveiled its latest offerings, the new Portugieser Automatic 42 and Portugieser Automatic 40 models, at the prestigious Watches and Wonders Geneva event. These timepieces showcase a completely re-engineered case construction, boasting a slender side profile that exudes elegance and refinement. Featuring box-glass sapphire crystals, they provide a clear view of the meticulously finished dials, which are adorned with 15 layers of transparent lacquer. The larger aperture sapphire crystals on the back reveal the IWC-manufactured movements from the esteemed 52000 and 82000 calibre families, both equipped with Pellaton winding systems featuring ceramic components. Certain models are presented in new design codes, offering dial colors such as Horizon Blue, Obsidian, Dune, and Silver Moon, symbolizing the perpetual cycle of day and night and emphasizing the timeless allure of the Portugieser’s design.
The roots of the Portugieser can be traced back to the late 1930s when IWC Schaffhausen utilized a high-precision pocket watch movement to create a notably large wristwatch with chronometer precision. Despite being conceived over 80 years ago, its straightforward case shape and minimalist, easy-to-read dial transcend any specific era, remaining timeless and fresh to this day. Featuring clean and uncluttered dials with applied Arabic numerals, Feuille-type hands, and a distinctive minutes scale reminiscent of railway tracks, these timepieces ensure impeccable legibility.
IWC Schaffhausen has elevated its iconic Portugieser watches to new heights with the introduction of the Portugieser Automatic 42 and the Portugieser Automatic 40. These watches boast meticulously reworked case constructions with slender side profiles, endowing them with a visually light and more refined appearance. The double box-glass sapphire crystals offer enhanced visibility of the new dials and the IWC-manufactured movements housed within.
Crafted through a complex and intricate process, the dials feature brass bases treated with either a sunburst finish or finely blasted surface before being adorned with vibrant colors. Achieving their remarkable optical depth entails the application of 15 layers of lacquer, finely ground and polished to a glossy sheen. The three-dimensional effect is accentuated by meticulously milled subdials and special printing techniques, contributing to a sense of depth. Finally, the appliques are individually hand-mounted, and the dial graphics have been meticulously refined to strike the perfect balance between lightness, elegance, and legibility.
The Portugieser Automatic stands out with its harmonious dial design, featuring a power reserve indicator at 3 o’clock and small seconds at 9 o’clock. With the introduction of the new Portugieser Automatic 42 (Ref. IW5017), IWC Schaffhausen presents a timeless and modern dress watch that remains faithful to the DNA of the original Portugieser Automatic (Ref. IW50001) from 2000.
Powered by the IWC-manufactured 52011 calibre, the new models boast improved escapements for enhanced protection against magnetic fields. The Pellaton winding system, reinforced with virtually wear-free zirconium oxide ceramic components, provides a power reserve of seven days (168 hours) across two barrels.
Introduced to the collection in 2020, the Portugieser Automatic 40 (Ref. IW3584) embodies the essence of Portugieser design in a more compact 40-millimeter case size. A direct descendant of the first Portugieser, Reference 325 from 1939, it features a clean, uncluttered dial with small seconds at 6 o’clock and no date window.
Both models are equipped with the IWC-manufactured 82200 calibre, featuring components made of zirconium oxide ceramic. The automatic Pellaton winding system offers a power reserve of 60 hours in the mainspring.
For more information, please visit IWC.com.