For IWC Schaffhausen, 2020 was the year of the Portugieser. The prominent collection was updated with in-house calibres and various variations. But besides its traditional look, the IWC Portugieser received some colour variation as well. We have a short look at the IWC Portugieser Automatic Ref. IW500714 burgundy dial and IWC Portugieser Chronograph Ref. IW371615 green dial.
One is a classic Portugieser Automatic, the other is a Portugieser Chronograph. Both feature strong colours that we can say are out of the “ordinary”, for the very traditional collection. The watches have nice colours that, I have to admit in shame, I was not able to catch in the full glory. It was one of those moments that show my lack of knowledge and experience in photography (the IWC Boutique in Geneva with all the strong store lights, strange reflections and the lack of space to use proper lights). But I promised that I will show these pictures, so here I am…
IWC Portugieser Automatic Ref. IW500714
IWC launched during Watches and Wonders two version of the Portugieser Automatic. The one presented here, the Ref. IW500714 and the IWC Portugieser Automatic Ref. IW500713 in 18-carat 5N gold case with a blue dial.
Ref. IW500714 is a classic Portugieser with a 42mm steel case featuring brushed and polished surfaces. The Probus Scafusia decorated crown is customary.
The watch comes with an impressive power reserve of 168, proudly represented on the dial by the 3 o’clock subdial with a 7 days register.
The left side of the dial presents the running seconds, an indication that balances visually the watch face. Both sub-dials present a circular pattern with printed registers and indexes.
The lower side of the dial shows in a proper colour scheme the date. Note the Portugieser traditional rhodium-plated hands and appliques.
The watch is powered by the modern IWC manufacture calibre 52010. This automatic movement packs the IWC specific Pellaton winding system. The movement features the state of the art IWC technology with virtually wear-free zirconium oxide ceramic components.
As expected, the calibre 52010 is nicely decorated under the typical IWC style. The movement offers well-defined details. The aired construction and wide opened bridges not only the pride but also the serious commitment of the brand to offer a rather charming spectacle.
IWC Portugieser Chronograph Ref. IW371615
Ref. IW371615 is the modern in-house powered chronograph with a colour twist – green. The pictures do a disservice to a good looking sunray dial. We find again the brushed/polished Portugieser steel case with flat headed pushers.
The top of the dial features the 30 minutes chronograph counter, while the lower side features the running seconds. More info about the new classic (“new” due to the in-house calibre present for the first time in the regular collection) in my hands-on review of the first 2020’s releases.
The sub-dials are decorated with the usual circular pattern. The recessed indications bite a big chunk of the rhodium-plated applied numerals. The leaf hands contribute to the traditional look of the Portugieser’s face.
As you can observe, the watch features no date window or any other indication, keeping the dial as pristine as possible.
The watch is powered by the Calibre 69355, part of the IWC’s 69000-family. The automatic movement has a power reserve of 46 hours, depleted by a 4 Hz escapement visible through the skeletonised rotor weight and the opening in the top bridge.
Colours and variety, the same cool IWC watches
The decision to enrich the Portugieser collection with different colour variation is welcomed. In this way, a collector can opt to a specific model in its desired dial colour (but also precious cases for some of the Portugieser pieces). The burgundy and the green are royal colours and go quite well on a watch face.
One offers the splendour of 7-days power reserve IWC movement in a strong colour, the other offers the classic chronograph in a rare statement. Both watches feels nice on the wrist and honour the Portugieser collection.
IWC Portugieser Automatic Ref. IW500714 Technical Specifications
Features
- Mechanical movement
- Pellaton automatic winding system
- power reserve display
- date display
- small hacking seconds
- see-through sapphire glass back
Movement
- IWC manufacture calibre 52010
- Frequency 28,800 vph/4 Hz
- Jewels 31
- Power reserve 7 days (168 h)
- Winding Automatic
Case
- Materials: Stainless steel case, burgundy dial, rhodium-plated hands and appliques, black alligator leather strap
- Glass Sapphire, convex, antireflective coating on both sides
- Water-resistant 3 bar
- Diameter 42.3 mm
- Height 14.2 mm
IWC Portugieser Chronograph Ref. IW371615 Technical Specifications
Features
- Mechanical movement
- stopwatch function with minutes and seconds
- small hacking seconds
- see-through sapphire glass back
Movement
- IWC manufacture calibre 69355
- Frequency: 28,800 vph / 4 Hz
- Jewels: 33
- Power reserve: 46 h
- Winding Automatic
Case
- Materials: Stainless steel, green dial, rhodium-plated hands and appliques, black alligator leather strap
- Glass: Sapphire, convex, antireflective coating on both sides
- Water-resistant: 3 bar
- Diameter: 41 mm
- Height: 13.1 mm
IWC Portugieser IW371615 & IW500714 Gallery
