Somewhat fortuitously, IWC chose to develop a new line of Portugieser for 2020. It is safe to say, without too much fanfare, that this family has an entire fanbase of its own exclusive of the IWC umbrella. With that in mind the new Portugieser Automatic feels like it should have been in regular production long ago.
However, aside from limited editions, it has remained a reference point for good reason. The original calibre 325 (pictured below) alongside another early Portugieser models set the tone for oversized timepieces, and created a fabled line of watches. The 2020 Portugieser Automatic very much completes the circle. As the now mythical story goes, the Portuguese merchants requested a large, legible wrist watch but with Marine Chronometer accuracy thus IWC chose a pocket watch movement that dictated the size.
The last few years, in line with industry guidelines, has seen IWC create a series of proprietary movements building up both experience and the ability to deliver innovation at a value based price point. The 2020 Portugieser ref IW3583 is built from iconic legacy but with modern IWC know how.
“The IWC-manufactured 82000 calibre ties in with the tradition of high-quality automatic movements from IWC. It is fitted with the highly efficient IWC Pellaton automatic winding system, which uses both directions of the rotor to wind the mainspring. As in the IWC-manufactured 52000 calibre family, components in the system subject to pronounced stress, such as the pawls, the automatic wheel, or the cam, are made of ceramic. Thanks to the use of this high-tech material, they are virtually wear-free.”
Delivered in a perfectly balanced 40mm case in both steel & Red Gold – the usual colour schemes are all on offer from the classic gilt hands to nautical blue and luxurious Red Gold. All three steel models retail at £6,450.00 inc VAT while the Red Gold is £14,900.00 inc VAT.
The IWC Portugieser Chronograph is their best selling line and we anticipate the new Portugieser Automatic to quickly rival this line. Details for delivery are becoming clearer for the UK so please feel free to contact us for more details or if you wish to reserve one of our first deliveries.
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