ReviewIWC Portugieser Automatic

Since 1868 IWC Schaffhausen has created horological masterpieces of avant-garde engineering and exclusive design. In the late 1930s, two Portuguese businessmen desired a wristwatch with the precision of a marine chronometer to be manufactured specially for them. This challenge was taken up by IWC Schaffhausen and the iconic Portugieser collection was born. The IWC Portugieser Automatic – a wrist watch that has become a collector’s favourite owing to its minimalist design and simplistic style, is a worthy successor to the original IWC Portugieser watches introduced over 75 years ago.

The IWC Portugieser Automatic is usually found on the wrists of celebrities and watch connoisseurs owing to its heritage and traditional, yet sporty design. The large pocket watch style case with a simple round dial has been a very unconventional design since it’s inception in the late 1930s. Here we feature the IWC Portugieser Automatic Ref.IW500109 which is an integral part of the iconic collection.

The beautiful black dial has a clean and pure display with silver toned hands and raised Arabic numerals. Sub-dials for seconds display and power reserve replace the indexes at the 9’o’clock and 3’o’clock positions respectively. The date window at the 6 o’clock index position is discrete, at the same time is harmonious with the overall watch design. The railway track style chapter ring adds to the classic and timeless IWC design.

Flawless and full of character, the design of the IWC Portugieser Automatic will never go out of style. Unlike fashion trends that change with the season, the Portugieser collection has had the same minimalist and traditional style for over 75 years. In fact, connoisseurs of haute horlogerie would never want the iconic elements of this collection to change.

A bold convex sapphire crystal protects the watch, while a sapphire caseback and unique rotor design allow a perfect view of the impressive IWC engine. The caseback of the IWC Portugieser Automatic is equally stunning with an IWC calibre with new ceramic components – the winding pawls, automatic wheel, and rotor bearing. The bridges have a decoration of beautiful Geneva stripes and circular graining. The rotor bears the IWC logo Probus Scafusa, translating to good and solid craftsmanship.

The IWC Portugieser Automatic’s movement incorporates the ingenious Pellaton winding system for unmatched accuracy and gives an impressive 7-day power reserve. The power level is visible at the 3 o’clock sub-dial. If not recharged the IWC Portugieser stops at 168 hours, well before the accumulated power is exhausted, to avoid the risk of loss of precision due to reduced spring tension.

The IWC Portugieser Automatic comes with a black crocodile leather strap. The strap horns are ergonomically optimized to make the watch comfortable to wear especially on slim wrists. The bold deployment clasp increases the comfort of the strap and has the IWC logo engraved on it. The watch can be worn with a formal suit or causal attire owning to its sporty and timeless appearance. If you’re planning to invest in your first luxury wrist watch and would like a timeless icon of style and functionality, the IWC Portugieser Automatic is the ideal watch.