IWC Schaffhausen has recently unveiled a reworked version of the Portugieser Chronograph. While the iconic design, with its clean, open dial, two recessed totalisers and flange with quarter-second scale, remains unchanged, inside IWC now uses an in-house movement from the 69000-calibre family, which can be seen through the transparent back.
The Portugieser Chronograph has proved to be one of the most popular watches ever to emerge from Schaffhausen. The open, clean, functional dial, with two recessed totalisers at 6 o’clock and 12 o’clock, appliquéd Arabic numerals and slim feuille hands, is encircled by a filigree bezel. The flange, printed with a quarter-second scale, enables precision reading of stopwatch times and gives this timeless Portugieser a subtle, sporty touch.
Externally, the iconic design of the new models, which are grouped under Reference 3716, remains unchanged. The decisive new feature is hidden away inside the watch: the IWC-manufactured 69355 calibre ensures the precise display and measurement of time. The rugged, precision chronograph movement with the classic column-wheel design can be seen through the transparent back. An automatic pawl-winding system builds up a power reserve of 46 hours.
Six different versions of the new Portugieser Chronograph are available: two in 18K 5N gold cases with slate-coloured or silver-plated dials, gold-plated hands and appliqués, and black or brown alligator leather straps by Santoni. The other four references are in stainless-steel cases with either silver-plated, blue or black dials. The stainless-steel models are equipped with the newly developed butterfly folding clasp, and black or blue alligator leather straps. All versions are 41mm in diameter and water-resistant to 100ft.
