The Laings Journal
The IWC Portugieser - Celebrating an Icon
With a clear focus on technology and development, the Swiss watch manufacturer IWC Schaffhausen has been producing timepieces of lasting value since 1868. We love these watches for their design, readability and immaculate finish.
In 2015, IWC Schaffhausen celebrates the 75th birthday of a watch family steeped in tradition: the Portugieser. This much loved range was born from a commission by two Portuguese businessmen in the 1930s, who sought wrist watches with the precision of marine chronometers, but without the unwieldiness of the pocket watches of the day. IWC rose to the challenge, and the result was the now iconic Portugieser.
Its introduction was ground-breaking. A bold move away from the era's penchant for dainty, art-deco style pieces, these watches were big, clean and round. And most importantly they were precise. Ahead of their time, they were not to be fully appreciated until 1993 when its size and purity revolutionised the world of wristwatches.
The Portugieser is a favourite at Parkhouse. We love the beautifully balanced dials, historic detail such as Arabic numerals and leaf-shaped hands, and their maritime inspiration. The new 2015 collection is made even more exciting with the inclusion of a brand new in-house automatic calibre within its slimmer, more refined case.
Below are a couple of our favourites from the collection. Browse the full collection here, or visit us in store for the full experience.
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Portugieser Yacht Club Chronograph The sportiest member of the collection, the case size has been reduced to 43.5mm for a sleeker design. Powered by IWCs automatic manufacture calibre 89361 with 68 hour power-reserve, it also features a 12 hour flyback chronograph, date function, sapphire crystal glass and display caseback. Beloved for it ruggedness and performance, it is the perfect watch for an active lifestyle. |
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Portugieser Automatic One of the most classically styled watches and an IWC icon. Updated for 2015 with the new automatic IWC manufacture 52010 calibre, many of the components are now made of wear resistant ceramic and the power is supplied by two barrels for a seven day power reserve. The dial is classically styled and is extremely balanced. The movement, with its beautiful Cotes de Geneve decoration, is proudly displayed through the sapphire crystal caseback. |
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| COMING SOON - Portugieser Annual Calendar
With the Portugieser being the most technologically sophisticated of IWC's collections, it is only fitting that it should house the brand's first ever annual calendar. The newly developed 52850 calibre features two barrels, offering supreme accuracy and impressive 7 day power reserve. The date is displayed in semicircular windows at the top of the dial, and only needs to be changed once a year. |