April 24, 2013: Adding variety and grace to its Portuguese collection, Swiss watch manufacturer IWC Schaffhausen has launched two elegant newcomers: the Portuguese Chronograph Classic and the Portuguese Tourbillon Hand-Wound.
The new Portuguese Chronograph Classic has a classically inspired design it also reflects a surprisingly independent look. This third chronograph member of the Portuguese dynasty preserves the identity and cultural heritage of the legendary originals of the 1930s. The timepiece comes complete with appliquéd Arabic numerals, a railway-track-style chapter ring and slender feuille hands. An arched-edge front glass makes this slim beauty’s 42-millimetre diameter seem smaller than it is. The traditional type of glass used admirably lends a well-balanced and classical impression. Powering the Portuguese Chronograph Classic is an IWC-manufactured 89361 calibre, developed specifically to record time spans of up to 12 hours on a subdial. The result is as bold and easy to read as a clock face. The sapphire-glass back reveals the 89361 calibre and the rotor, resplendent in Geneva stripes. The Portuguese Chronograph Classic is available in 18-carat red gold or stainless steel, both with silver-plated or slate-coloured dial.
The Portuguese Tourbillon Hand-Wound is a refined expression of the synthesis between design and technique. Ideal for big, hand-wound wristwatches such as this, the 98900 calibre marks the apogee of a long line of forebears from the Schaffhausen works. The stylistically minimalist case in 18-carat white gold or 18-carat red gold supremely embodies unadorned understatement. The flying tourbillon at “9 o’clock” boasts the watchmaking flair of IWC. This tourbillon rotates once round its axis every 60 seconds. This offsets the pull of gravity on any disequilibrium in the balance wheel, which may affect the rate of the watch. The choice of dial suits the case – slate coloured for the 18 carat white gold variant and silver plated for the 18 carat red gold. The IWC manufactured 98900calibre movement, with its intricately decorated nickel silver three quarter bridge, can be admired through the transparent sapphire glass back. For the Portuguese Tourbillon Hand-Wound, IWC engineers have increased the balance frequency to 28,800 beats per hour, which ensures excellent precision.
