Home » IWC Watches » IWC Vintage Portuguese Hand Wound Watch
The Swiss watchmaker from Schaffhausen reinterpreted one of its most popular watches of the early twentieth century – Portuguese wristwatch. The new Portuguese Hand Wound Watch is described as “a larger-than-life legend”. For this Vintage timepiece, the International Watch Company (IWC) chose one of the original dials from 1939 with alternating Arabic numerals and markers, and with an additional circle which separates the centre of the dial.
IWC Vintage Portuguese Hand Wound Watch IW544501
This classical looking watch from the IWC Vintage Collection boasts a timeless design and an incredible charm. The watch is presented in a large, round case with the diameter of 44 mm. Despite its size, the watch remains relatively thin with only 10 mm and can easily go under the sleeves of a shirt, for example. Also its weight is only 75 grams which is a featherweight for a watch of this size.
Depending on a model, the case can be made from platinum, 18-carat white or rose gold, as well as from stainless steel with brushed finished edges, polished finished lugs and bezel. Its grooved bezel and slightly recessed strap horns are based on the original model from the company’s past. There are also some other retro elements used mainly from the historic Portuguese watch, as well as from the style of good old pocket watches, such as arched-edged front glass and railway track-style chapter ring and the seconds display circle which was highly popular at the time.
IWC Vintage Portuguese Hand Wound Watch IW544505
This impeccable timekeeper is powered by a Swiss made Mechanical Movement which is capable of holding approximately 46 hours of charge, without winding or wrist movement when fully charged.
The 98295 Caliber is a part of a 98000 Caliber Family that has been continuously improved by IWC for over 80 years. The imposing 30 mm movement is quite large but it is proportionate to the case diameter.
An Unimpeded View at the Devoted Movement at Work
The watch is protected on both sides by scratch-resistance sapphire crystals with antireflective coatings. Sapphire glass preserves perfect legibility even after a long time of heavy use and also provides decent water-resistance for the case of 30 meters (100 feet).
IWC Vintage Portuguese Hand Wound Watch IW544505 Caseback
The movement built on 18 jewels produces 18,000 vibrations per hour, and it is visible through the transparent case back. The see-through back allows you to admire the outstanding finishes and details, such as a large screw balance, Breguet spring and nickel-plated nickel-silver three-quarter bridge, as well as bridges decorated with circular graining and Côtes de Geneva stripes. The sapphire-glass back also provides a clear view of the index which reaches from the balance cock to the plate.
Inspired by the Golden Ages of Luxury Timepieces
The first IWC Portuguese watch was produced back in 1939. It owes its name, as well as its existence to two Portuguese merchants who requested, from the International Watch Company, a precise wristwatch in a stainless steel case. The Swiss manufacturer housed the superb 74 caliber bar movement in a giant-sized case, and manufactured the first pocket watch style wristwatch.
IWC Portuguese Hand Wound Watch has an uncultured, yet adorable dial. Although it looks quite simple, it instantly draws attention with its leaf-styled hour and minute hands and the small seconds sub-dial, set at the six o’clock position.
Four Versions of Portuguese Hand Wound Watch
Just as Pilot’s Hand Wound Vintage Watch, the Portuguese Hand Wound Timepiece likewise has a model crafted from luxury materials. The platinum version with the referent number IW544505 sports a silver plated dial and a black alligator strap with undeniable quality. As you might expect, this model is the most expensive from this line. The retail price is $41,500, whereas you can buy it for less money on the internet. But you should better hurry because it is produced in the limited series of only 500 specimens.
IWC also offers two versions crafted from 18-carat white gold and 18-carat rose gold.
IWC Vintage Portuguese Hand Wound Watch IW544504
IWC Vintage Portuguese Hand Wound Watch IW544503
The first one, with the referent number IW544504, matches a gray dial and a dark brown alligator leather strap, while the rose-gold model IW544503 boasts a silver plated dial and a brighter brown strap. Each of these two watches is priced at the range from $15,000 to $20,000 (the white gold model is more expensive).
As you might expect, the most affordable watch from this line is the stainless steel version. The model IW544501 boasts a black dial and the matching colored genuine alligator strap. It can be purchased for less than $10,000 (approximately for $7,000).
