A Tribute to the Past and a Foray into the Future
With the sun, sky, and heavens themselves as its muse, the IWC Schaffhausen Portugieser collection materialises the beauty and precision of time itself. Read on and discover this new lineup.
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Portugieser Precision
Since 1868, IWC has prided itself on the accuracy and excellent craftsmanship of its timepieces. Its story began in the town of Schaffhausen, Switzerland. From this stretch of land along the Rhine, IWC established itself as one of the most recognisable names in aviation horology. Its ambition for greater heights has led it to expand its reach, crafting both elegant and sporty watches alike, and its endeavours have culminated with the latest release of its Portugieser collection.
The Portugieser collection was initially unveiled in the 1930s, when a high-precision pocket watch was fitted into a wristwatch-sized case, making it unusually large by the standards of the time. Since then, the watch family has undergone dozens of revisions and redesigns, with each added complication and polished design element underscoring the maison’s continued pursuit of perfection. The result is the latest Portugieser novelties unveiled at the recent Watches and Wonders Geneva 2024, bringing fresh perspectives to an enduring design.
Stand the Test of Time
Chronograph watches distinguish themselves with complications and secondary functions, necessitating precision as the main focus—and the Portugieser Chronograph stands proud as the finest example.
The first Portugieser Chronograph—the Rattrapante—was first introduced in 1995. Since then, this functional complication has brought a touch of sporty elegance to the collection.
The IWC-typical, vertical arrangement of the subdials displays the stopped minutes directly at the 12 o’clock position, while the small seconds are positioned at 6 o’clock. This layout enhances readability and has become a distinguishing design feature of the Portugieser Chronograph. Another feature is the inner flange printed with a quarter-second scale, enabling high precision stop-time reading.
“It has the unmistakable look and feel of an instrument, and that perfectly embodies IWC’s heritage and expertise in technical watches,” IWC creative director Christian Knoop remarked. “Although the main design features dates back over the years, its aesthetic appeal is timeless.”
Portugieser History
A Portugieser is a prestigious line of luxury watches crafted by IWC Schaffhausen, a renowned Swiss watch manufacturer. Originating in the late 1930s, the collection was conceived when IWC fitted a high-precision pocket watch movement into a wristwatch case, resulting in a timepiece that was notably large for its era.
This innovative integration combined a durable, oversized movement with a sleek, highly legible dial, establishing the Portugieser's hallmark aesthetic of understated elegance and technical precision.Over the years, the Portugieser collection has been enriched with various sophisticated complications, including mechanical calendars, tourbillons, and even a pioneering tide display.
Among its notable achievements, the Siderale Scafusia, the most intricate watch ever made by IWC, belongs to this esteemed collection. The Portugieser's timeless design, blending classic simplicity with modern sophistication, ensures its continued appeal and relevance in the world of haute horology.
Counting the Hours
The Portugieser Chronograph comes in three new dial colours, each outstandingly reminiscent of the different times of day and night. The visual depth of the dial is a result of a masterpiece of craftsmanship, created through over 60-step processes and is highly challenging to master. The sapphire-glass back case is a treat for watch enthusiasts as it offers a marvellous view of the IWC-manufactured 69355 calibre, a robust chronograph movement in a classic column-wheel design. The timepiece is a fine reminder to live in the moment and appreciate the natural beauty that time can present.
Portugieser Chronograph in Horizon Blue
The light blue shades and hues exude warmth and serenity, reflecting the bright colour of the sky as the day enters the early afternoon. As though reflecting the dazzling glow of the sun, the dial is encased within a polished and brushed 18-carat white gold case, and fashioned with rhodium-plated hands and appliques. A light blue calfskin strap from Santoni subtly completes this timepiece.
Portugieser Chronograph in Dune
Radiating timeless class and refinement, the Portugieser Chronograph in Dune’s dial comes in a stainless steel case and is adorned with gold plated hands and appliques. The brilliant lacquer finish gives the illusion that the appliques are levitating above the dial. It comes in a black alligator leather strap, complementing the lighter tones of the watch and underscoring the fleeting, ephemeral image of the slow-setting sun in the late afternoon.
Portugieser Chronograph in Obsidian
As the shades of the day fade into the night, the Portugieser Chronograph in Obsidian commands attention with its bold, black dial, beautifully contrasted by the 18-carat 5N gold case. The gold appliques give the impression of glittering city lights at night. The watch is fitted with a black alligator leather strap from Santoni with an 18-carat 5N gold pin buckle.
Though the pieces come in luxurious leather straps that complement their respective colours, discerning buyers are given the freedom to select their own. The sheer versatility of the timepiece allows it to blend seamlessly into use for virtually every situation. There’s a time and place for everything, and the Portugieser collection has all the bases covered.
A Masterful Display
Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bündchen, while wearing the Portugieser Chronograph in Dune, visited IWC’s Manufakturzentrum at Schaffhausen. “It was fascinating for me to see the level of detail and complex processes that go into making the watches,” she said. “The Portugieser collection has amazing new colours, and I am impressed by the finishings and visual depth of the coloured dials. They are beautiful and visiting where they are made and seeing the precision of the craftsmanship firsthand has given me a whole new appreciation for my watches.”
Driven by the finest Swiss craftsmanship, the Portugieser collection exudes style and sophistication, without sacrificing the precision and accuracy the maison is known for; each piece is fine-tuned and finished to perfection.
Inspired by the sun, moon, and sky, IWC faithfully captures their beauty and sets it into a timeless design. Drawing on nearly a century of experience and excellence, their new collection is poised to take the world by storm.
To know more about IWC Schaffhausen or the Portugieser timepieces, you may peruse the full collection at iwc.com
