IWC produced their first watches with blue dials 50 years ago, setting a design trend that has been mimicked throughout the entire watch industry. So, the time has come to re-embrace their trend-setting ways. Introducing two new IWC Schaffhausen blued “Portugieser” models.
Although the color “blue” is often associated with “melancholy”, scientific studies have now revealed that blue may actually be the happiest color. Such claims extend from recent analysis in which males and females exposed to the light color all exhibited a more relaxed mood. Just like our ancestors used to link the color of the morning and evening sky to the feeling of a day well spent and the prospect of a good night’s sleep.
In spite of the 50 year anniversary of IWC issuing its very first blue dialed timepiece, there have been others along the years and we’ve reviewed a few, such as the: IWC Aquatimer Automatic Edition Expedition Jacques-Yves Cousteau, IWC Portugieser Annual Calendar, IWC Portugieser Chronograph Rattrapante ‘Boutique Milano’ Edition or the “IWC Da Vinci Chronograph “Laureus Sport for Good Foundation” Edition. While other colored previous Portugieser models we’ve reviewed here include the: IWC Portuguese Yacht Club Chronograph, IWC Portugieser Yacht Club Chronograph Edition ‘Boesch’, IWC Portugieser Tourbillon Hand-Wound D.H. Craig US or the recent IWC Portugieser Chronograph Classic.
IWC Portugieser Chronograph Rattrapante ‘Boutique Milano’ Edition” (Ref#: 371215) * Image courtesy of: IWC
Now focusing on these new models, the first up comes within a 42.3mm case made of stainless-steel with a transparent case back that allows to view the inner workings of the mechanical movement. What we get to see here is the legendary Pellaton winding system, whose wheel and rotor bearings are all made from extremely wear-resistant ceramic.
Image courtesy of: IWC
Also includes the setting-crown and ergonomically optimized lugs ensuring a greater comfort on slimmer wrists. Topped by a sapphire convex crystal with an antireflective coating on both sides, which also assists with water-resistance on this watch being able to reach up to 30 meters (98 feet).
Image courtesy of: IWC
Time is exhibited on the newly introduced blue dial with applied stainless-steel Arabic numerals, followed by a white railroad motif minute index ring. There are two sub-dials: a power reserve at the 3 o’clock position and a sub-second at the 9 o’clock position. Also features a white date aperture at the 6 o’clock position. While the overall design manages to retain the classic appeal of the legendary original Portugieser, first manufactured back in the 1930’s.
Image courtesy of: IWC
IWC Portugieser Automatic
The “IWC Portugieser Automatic” (Ref#: IW500710) is powered by a self-winding mechanical movement, caliber 52010 with 31 jewels and 28,800 vph. Power reserve on this timepiece can last up to 168 hours (7 days), when fully wound.
This is the legendary Pellaton winding system, created by Albert Pellaton for IWC in the late 1940’s, now with a slimmed-down rotor with an 18k gold medallion and black ceramic pawls in the winding system and the Geneva strip decoration. Mounted to the watch is an IWC black alligator leather strap, secured to the wrist by a stainless-steel deployment clasp. For more up to date information about this new release visit the official IWC Schaffhausen website here.
MSRP: $12,700.00 USD
Next up we focus on the new blue “Portugieser Chronograph” model that was originally introduced back in 1998 and since then has been one of the most sought-after models in the “Portuguese Collection”. It was even the first “Portugieser” model that not only allowed the wearer to read the time, but also stop it. This newer version comes with a 40.9mm case which is made of stainless-steel with a solid case back. And comes equipped with two push-pieces to operate the chronograph functions with a setting-crown in between them. Also topped by a sapphire convex crystal with an anti-reflective coating on both sides, which also assists with water-resistance on this watch being able to reach up to 30 meters (98 feet).
Image courtesy of: IWC
Time is exhibited on the newly introduced blue dial with stainless-steel applied embossed Arabic numerals and a ring of smaller minute index markers circling the dial with Arabic numerals for every five minute increment. There are two recessed sub-dials: a sub-seconds at the 6 o’clock position and a 30-minute counter at the 12 o’clock position. Comes equipped with perfectly proportioned feuille central hands with all the other elements integrated harmoniously, in order to facilitate legibility and include an encircling precision scale.
Image courtesy of: IWC
IWC Portugieser Chronograph
The “IWC Portugieser Chronograph” (Ref#: IW371491) is powered by a self-winding mechanical movement, caliber 79350 with 31 jewels and 28,800 vph. Power reserve on this timepiece can last up to 44 hours, when fully wound.
Mounted to the watch is an IWC black alligator leather strap, secured to the wrist by an IWC black alligator leather strap, secured to the wrist by a stainless-steel deployment clasp. For more up to date information about this new release visit the official IWC Schaffhausen website here.
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IWC, IWC Schaffhausen, Portugieser, Portuguese, Chronograph, Luxury Watches
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