IWC - Portugieser Chronograph with new in-house movement

IWC updated one of its most iconic models, the Portugieser Chronograph, equipping it with a new in-house developed and produced movement, the Calibre 69355. The steel models have a price of Euro 7,950 (including VAT) / US$ 7,950 (excluding taxes) while the rose gold versions are priced at Euro 17,700 (including VAT) / US$ 17,800 (excluding taxes). IWC Ref. IW371604 Ref. IW371605 Ref. IW371606 Ref. IW371609 Ref. IW371610 Ref. IW371611

IWC updated one of its most iconic models, the Portugieser Chronograph, equipping it with a new in-house developed and produced movement (you can read the fascinating history of the IWC Portugieser here).

Introduced in the 1990s, quickly becoming the most successful IWC watch ever produced, the Portugieser Chronograph is immediately recognizable for its clear dial with applied Arabic numerals and slender Feuille hands framed by a thin bezel that contributes to give the impression of a watch larger than it actually is. In fact, the diameter is only 41 mm, making it suitable to almost any wrist, Ladies included.

This model is now driven by the IWC-manufactured 69355 calibre, a robust and precise self-winding chronograph movement in classic column-wheel design. Its quality finishes, with Côtes de Genève and perlage, can be appreciated through a sapphire-glass case back.

Beating at a frequency of 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations per hour) and and guaranteeing 46 hours of power reserve, the movement takes the energy it needs from a bidirectional pawl-winding system similar to the Pellaton mechanism.

Protected by a convex sapphire glass with antireflective coating on both sides, the dial of the Portugieser Chronograph has two recessed totalizers, at 6 o'clock and 12 o'clock, and a flange printed with a quarter-second scale, a detail that improves the precise reading of the stop time while also providing a nod to the Portugieser’s origins as a nautical precision instrument for the wrist.

Six different versions, in stainless steel and rose gold, are available:

Ref. IW371604: steel with silver-plated dial, gold-plated hands and numerals.
Ref. IW371605: steel with silver-plated dial, blue hands and numerals.
Ref. IW371606: steel with blue dial, rhodium-plated hands and numerals.
Ref. IW371609: steel with black dial, rhodium-plated hands and numerals.
Ref. IW371610: rose gold with slate-coloured dial, gold-plated hands, 18kt gold numerals.
Ref. IW371611: rose gold with silver-plated dial, gold-plated hands, 18kt gold numerals.

All these models are water resistant to 30 metres / 100 feet.

The steel models have a price of Euro 7,950 (including VAT) /  US$ 7,950 (excluding taxes) and are matched to black alligator leather straps with a newly developed butterfly folding clasp. Priced at Euro 17,700 (including VAT) /  US$ 17,800 (excluding taxes), the rose gold versions are completed by brown alligator leather strap by Santoni secured to the wrist by a rose gold pin buckle.

All IWC watches come with an International Limited Warranty of two years that can be extended to eight by joining the ‘My IWC’ programme. iwc.com