In the year of the Portugieser, watch family IWC launches several new Portugiesers to commemorate the 75th anniversary of this line. This week at SIHH 2015, the Schaffhausen-based watchmaker has unveiled the new Portugieser Hand-Wound Eight Days Edition “75th Anniversary” which pays tribute to the original Portugieser.
IWC Portugieser Hand-Wound Eight Days Edition “75th Anniversary” Watch
The design of the Anniversary edition is almost the same as of its heir. As it has been reported from the manufacturer, “all design elements of the historic Portugieser have been carefully adopted with the only extra being the date display underneath the small second”.
IWC Portuguese Hand-Wound 8 Days Watch is offered in two versions: the stainless steel with the referent number IWC510205 and 18-karat red gold one with the reference IWC510206. Its either steel or red gold case measures 43mm in diameter and 12mm in thickness. Thanks to the IWC coved bezel which is a typical type of bezel for Portugieser family, and to the arched-edge sapphire glass, the new IWC timepiece looks less bulky than it actually is.
IWC Portugieser Hand-Wound Eight Days Edition “75th Anniversary” Watch Front
The beating heart of the watch is IWC’s in-house developed and manufactured caliber 59215 hand-wound movement that offers an impressive eight-day power reserve when fully wound. Actually the mechanism is capable to store enough energy to keep the watch ticking for nine days, but an intelligent system blocks the movement after the first 192 hours and thus eliminates the danger of diminishing torque in the mainspring.
The Glucydur beryllium alloy indexless balance runs at the rapid frequency of 28,800 alternations per hour (4 Hz). A Glucydur beryllium alloy balance boasts adjustment screws, and a Breguet balance spring. The main plate is encrusted with circular graining, while the three-quarter plate and bridges have vertical Geneva stripes and chamfered edges. The 30 jewels caliber has a power reserve display on the movement side.
IWC Portugieser Hand-Wound Eight Days Edition “75th Anniversary” Watch Back
Underneath the arched-edge front glass lies a simple and uncluttered dial which comprises Arabic numerals 3, 9 and 12, slim feuille hands, railroad-track minute markers and a small seconds at the 6 o’clock position. A date display is also situated at the same position.
The red gold version is produced in the limited quantity of 175 pieces, while the steel variant is limited to 750 watches. Depending on a model, the new Portugieser Hand-Wound Eight Days watch is attached to black or brown alligator leather straps produced by Italian shoe manufactured Santoni, ending with a pin buckle matching the metal of the case. The water resistance is assured down to 30 meters (about 100 feet).
