IWC presents two new Portugieser models with white and blue dials

IWC introduces new versions of the Portugieser Automatic and the Portugieser Chronograph, both featuring stainless steel cases, contrasting white and blue dials with the characteristic railway-track style chapter ring, blue arabic numerals, and blued feuille hands.

Press Release details with commentary in italics.

IWC presents two new Portugieser models with contrasting white and blue dials

The retail prices for the IWC Portugieser Automatic Ref. IW500715 is SGD 18,800 and the IWC Portugieser Chronograph Ref. IW371620 is SGD 12,800. Both prices inclusive of GST.

Commentary

The Portugieser Automatic (Ref. IW500715) is powered by the IWC-manufactured 52010 calibre with a power reserve of 7 days and fitted with a blue alligator leather strap. The Portugieser Chronograph (Ref. IW371620) features the IWC-manufactured 69355 calibre chronograph movement and a blue rubber strap.

The two watches sport a very similar look with the white and blue “Panda” styling, though the blue sub-dials are oriented differently – in a left right layout for the Automatic, and a 12/6 layout for the chronograph.

The automatic’s design language takes its grammatical cues from the original Portugieser models – a very beautiful case shape with almost no bezel, a convex sapphire glass and traditional Arabic numerals with railway track. Unlike the original and early Portugiesers, the model is automatic and feature a date.

The movement is the caliber 52010 which runs for a full 7 days autonomy, and is part of the 52000 family, launched in 2015. This is IWC’s new generation of 7-day Automatic movements. Compared to the predecessors, the Pellaton winding has been updated and the power is now stored two barrels.

The chronograph is a very classical IWC styled Portugieser chronograph, with a beautiful, and relatively slim steel case in 41mm and is proposed in a two counter style, without hour totaliser window of a date. Very trad.

The movement is the Caliber 69355 is part of IWC’s 69000-family of self-winding chronograph movements. This version was introduced with the 2018 Portugieser “150 Years”. Interestingly, it is also thinner and set at a lower price than the time and date automatic.

Release details

A design with a marked contrast between the dial and the subdials, often affectionately referred to as “panda dial” by watch enthusiasts, has frequently featured in IWC’s Portugieser collection. The combination of the two colours improves legibility and makes for a very distinctive appearance. This summer, the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer presents two of its most iconic Portugieser models in a unified design code with contrasting white and blue dials. The white dials boast a polished lacquer finish, while the deep blue sub dials feature an “azurage” finish. Such nautical colours not only lend these classic models a fresh and contemporary look: they are also a reminder of the origins of the Portugieser, whose iconic design was initially inspired by marine deck observation watches.

The Portugieser Automatic (Ref. IW500715) features a stainless steel case with a diameter of 42.3 millimetres, a white and blue dial, and blued feuille hands. The balanced dial layout places the small seconds at 9 o’clock and the power reserve display at 3 o’clock. This timepiece is powered by the IWC-manufactured 52010 calibre. Its automatic Pellaton winding system has been reinforced with components made of virtually wear-free ceramic. It uses even the slightest movements of the rotor in both directions to build up a power reserve of 7 days in two barrels. The movement can be admired through the sapphire glass case back. This timeless and elegant Portugieser is fitted with a blue alligator leather strap with a folding clasp.

The Portugieser Chronograph (Ref. IW371620) features a 41-millimetre case made of stainless steel, a white and blue dial, and blued feuille hands. The chronograph minutes counter is located at 12 o’clock, the small seconds at 6 o’clock. The IWC-manufactured 69355 calibre with automatic winding and a power reserve of 46 hours is at work inside the case. The chronograph movement in a classic column-wheel design is visible through the sapphire glass case back. In addition, this elegant sports watch is fitted with a durable and flexible blue rubber strap, providing excellent wearing comfort during the summer.

The Portugieser Automatic and Portugieser Chronograph are available immediately through IWC boutiques, authorised retail partners or online at IWC.com. Both models are eligible for registration under the My IWC care program, benefitting from a 6-year extension to the standard 2-year International Limited Warranty.

Specifications

IWC Portugeiser REF. IW500715

FEATURES

Mechanical movement – Pellaton automatic winding system – Power reserve display – Date display – Small hacking seconds – See-through sapphire glass back

MOVEMENT

IWC-manufactured calibre 52010. 28,800 vph / 4 Hz 31 jewels, 7 days (168 h) Automatic

WATCH

Stainless steel case, white and blue dial, blued hands, blue alligator leather strap with folding clasp with convex sapphire glass, antireflective coating on both sides, 3 bar

Diameter 42.3 mm Height 14.2 mm

IWC Portugieser Chronograph REF. IW371620

FEATURES

Mechanical movement – Stopwatch function with minutes and seconds – Small hacking seconds – See-through sapphire glass back

MOVEMENT

IWC-manufactured caliber 69355. 28,800 vph / 4 Hz 27 jewels, 46 h Automatic

WATCH

Stainless steel case, white and blue dial, blued hands, blue rubber strap with pin buckle with convex sapphire, antireflective coating on both sides, 3 bar

Diameter 41 mm Height 13.1 mm