IWC Portugieser

History

The late 1930s was a year of innovation for the IWC Portugieser collection. When two Portuguese businessmen ordered wristwatches with the precision of marine chronometers, IWC Schaffhausen decided to rise up to the challenge by creating a then non-existent wristwatch movement with the crown on the right-hand side which would remedy the problem.

The Automatics

Featuring a simple yet elegant dial, the Portugieser Automatic 40 features a small second sub-dial at the 6 o’clock position. Another iteration of the automatic is the Portugieser Automatic. Fitted with a power reserve indicator, it also features a date window at the 6 o’clock marker. Apart from these two markers, these timepieces also display a small seconds sub-dial at 9 o’clock. The Portugieser Automatic can also be bought in a special edition timepiece called the Portugieser Automatic Boutique Edition which features a blue dial with a gold case.

The Chronographs

In the Portugieser Chronograph, the simplistic collection gains a little bit of complication. These timepieces are fitted with two sub-dials displaying minutes and seconds at the 12 and 6 o’clock markers, respectively. The Portugieser Chronograph is also available in a boutique edition called the Portugieser Chronograph Boutique Edition.

The Yacht Club

With a classic setup, the Portugieser Yacht Club Chronograph features an hour and minute counter combined in a totalizer at 12 o’clock. The timepieces are also fitted with a flyback function and display the date inside the small seconds sub-dial placed at 6 o’clock. The Yacht Club is also home to a variant equipped with a tide indicator. Named the Portugieser Yacht Club Moon & Tide, high and low tide are displayed at the 6 o’clock sub-dial, whereas, the 12 o’clock sub-dial displays a double moon phase with neap and spring tide indicator. The Yacht Club is also available in a limited-edition timepiece made in collaboration with the British designer label called the Portugieser Yacht Club Chronograph Edition “Orlebar Brown”.

The Annual Calendar

Fitted with a month/date/day window at the 12 o’clock marker, the Portugieser Annual Calendar clearly displays the important measures of an annual calendar. Apart from these measures, the Annual Calendar also displays a power reserve indicator and a small seconds sub-dial at 3 and 9 o’clock, respectively.

The Perpetual Calendar

With a 42mm case, the Portugieser Perpetual Calendar 42 features three sub-dials fitted with day, date, month, and a moon phase indicator. Inside the sub-dial displaying day, there is a small window that displays the leap year. Another iteration of the perpetual calendar, the Portugieser Perpetual Calendar features four sub-dials and the leap year indicator between 7 and 8 o’clock. Inside the date and day sub-dial, the power reserve indicator and running seconds are also displayed. The two perpetual calendar iterations are also featured in a boutique edition with a blue dial and a gold case.

The Tourbillons

Beginning with the hand-wound variant, the Portugieser Hand-Wound Tourbillon features a flying tourbillon at 6 o’clock, whereas, the Portugieser Tourbillon Retrograde Chronograph features a totaliser sub-dial displaying hours and minutes at 12 o’clock and a retrograde date between 8 and 11 o’clock. This is also featured in a boutique edition. The tourbillon is also fitted with a perpetual calendar complication called the Portugieser Perpetual Calendar Tourbillon. Displaying markers such as a month, day, date, and leap year, the timepieces also feature a power reserve indicator inside the date marker. This variation is also available in a boutique edition. Featuring a retrograde date between 6 and 9 o’clock, the Portugieser Tourbillon Mystere Retrograde also features a power reserve indicator on the dial. One such timepiece that stands out is the Portugieser Siderale Scafusia. This is one of the most complicated timepieces ever created by the brand featuring a constant force tourbillon. The dial features a constant-force tourbillon together with a 96-hour power reserve and sidereal time at the 12 o’clock marker. The sidereal time is needed to find the same star each night in the same position. The case back is a beautiful astronomical depiction crafted precisely to reflect the owner’s wishes.

The Other Portugiesers

Pushing the right buttons, the collection is equipped with a limited edition timepiece made in collaboration with Laureus Sport For Good Foundation, the Monopusher Edition “Laureus Sport For Good”, limited to 500 pieces. The Portugieser Grande Complications mixes two complications, a perpetual calendar and a chronograph. Displaying moon phase, day, and month, the timepiece also displays minutes, seconds, and hours inside these sub-dials, respectively.