ReviewA Classic In Blue: The New IWC Portugieser Chronograph, Exclusively At Ethos
The latest edition of the IWC Portugieser Chronograph comes with a blue dial – a first for this timepiece – and it is every bit as perfect as you could imagine
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I have a fascination for blue dials in a watch; particularly those that are used in great timepieces, such as the Vacheron Constantin Overseas, or even better, the IWC Portugieser Perpetual and Annual Calendars. Now IWC has extended their famous blue to the more popular Portugieser models, the Portugieser Automatic and the Portugieser Chronograph. No wonder then that watch lovers are going crazy with the new introductions by IWC. Today I review the latter of the two.
The International Watch Company, Schaffhausen
With a clear focus on technology and development, the Swiss watchmakers, IWC Schaffhausen, have been producing timepieces of lasting value since 1868. IWC is one fine watchmaking brand with distinct product families – the Pilot, the Portugieser, the Ingenieur, the Aquatimer, the Da Vinci and the Portofino. Each of these are very different from the other but all of them have one thing in common – they are robust watches, offering the truest values of fine watchmaking, be it for everyday use or for professional use by sportsmen. These watches present the complexities of watchmaking at its best.
Founded in 1868 by Boston watchmaker, Florentine Ariosto Jones, the ‘International Watch Co’ in Schaffhausen was far from the watchmaking centres of French-speaking Switzerland. He intended to combine advanced American production technologies with the skilled craftsmanship that Swiss watchmakers were famous for. And over the years, contributing to the brand’s popularity has been the endorsement of IWC’s beautiful timepieces by global celebrities, as friends of the brand, increasing their appeal to watch lovers across the world.
New Dial, Same Perfect Portugieser Chronograph
IWC introduced its most sought-after Portugieser watch – the Portugieser Chronograph – way back in 1998. Back then, it was the first watch from the Portugieser family that not only allowed the wearer to read the time, but also to stop it, through its chronograph features. Its moderate size also makes it ideal for a more slender wrist. And hence the watch is hugely popular among women as well. The dial is clean and has an organised look with all elements integrated harmoniously: the recessed totalisers, the embossed Arabic numerals and the perfectly proportioned hour and minute hands.
IWC has almost been a pioneer of blue dials, having started making them some 50 years ago. Now, their fashionable blue dials can also be seen on the classic Portugieser Chronograph, which is just as perfect as any other previous edition. As it’s often said: why fix something that isn’t broken!
The Movement
Still relying on the old workhorse of an IWC self-winding movement – the 4Hz (28,800 vibrations per hour) calibre 79350 – the watch displays the standard hours, minutes and seconds with a chronograph function, and offers a power reserve of 44 hours. The number of jewels stands at 31. The efficient movement definitely won’t let the performance of this timepiece waver.
The Case And The Dial
The watch looks elegant in a 40.9mm stainless steel case that is 12.5mm thick, and is water resistant to 30m. The watch sports a convex sapphire crystal glass, at nine on the Mohs’ scale of hardness, and features antireflective coatings on either side. Also creating perfect harmony are the stainless steel of the case and the perfectly proportionate rhodium-plated hands on the blue dial. The vibrant blue dial is home to two recessed totalisers in the form of chronograph minutes, and small seconds at 12 o’clock and 6 o’clock respectively.
Refined men, who prefer a refined timepiece with added functionality, will enjoy the slim, silver-coloured hacking seconds and the delicate minute markers around the perimeter of the dial in a matching finish. Two chronograph pushers at two and four o’clock on the stainless steel bezel facilitate easy handling of the chronograph functions. Stylish silver elements contrast beautifully against the classic blue background of the dial, decorated with the striking ‘IWC Schaffhausen’ emblem at three o’clock. Adding to the elegance of this watch is the black alligator leather strap.
In Conclusion
A tried-and-tested model since 1998, the Portugieser Chronograph now comes in the famed IWC blue dial, and a stainless steel case in a regular line. This is a must-have timepiece for collectors or watch enthusiasts, for occasions that are regular, or even of a more special kind. Go for it!
The new blue dial IWC Portugieser Chronograph is available in India exclusively at Ethos Watch Boutiques.
