IWC Schaffhausen Limited Edition spotlight New Releases New Watches Portugieser

New watch of 2020 IWC Portugieser Hand-Wound Monopusher Edition

The IWC Portugieser Hand-Wound Monopusher Edition “Laureus Sport for Good” is the latest watch release from the chequered brand that is famed for its ‘form follows function’ design ideology — a specific way of designing that was made famous by the American architect Frank Lloyd Wright — and using advanced American manufacturing methods that are combined with the craftsmanship of Swiss watchmakers.

New watch of 2020 IWC Portugieser Hand-Wound Monopusher Edition

The IWC Portugieser Hand-Wound Monopusher Edition “Laureus Sport for Good” is the latest watch release from the chequered brand that is famed for its ‘form follows function’ design ideology — a specific way of designing that was made famous by the American architect Frank Lloyd Wright — and using advanced American manufacturing methods that are combined with the craftsmanship of Swiss watchmakers.

The watch was launched at the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Laureus World Sports Awards in Berlin last month. 

What makes this release special

This new limited edition release of only 500 pieces marks the continuing collaboration between the house of Schaffhausen and their support of the social sports projects run by their partner, Laureus Sport for Good.

Laureus Sport for Good is a foundation that came about with the support of Nelson Mandela and uses sport as a means to aide children and young people overcome the obstacles of violence and discrimination. 

“It’s great to see the girls gain confidence, learn social skills and find inspiration in football. The project shows how sport can generate so much positive energy. We are proud to be part of the Laureus family, helping to change the lives of thousands of children and young people for the better”

Christoph Grainger-Herr, CEO of IWC Schaffhausen

Not only is this the 14th special edition that IWC has produced for the project, but what makes this extra special is that it is also the first Portugieser with a monopusher chronograph. 

In many ways it is minimalistic and similar to the monopusher chronograph released last year by Jaquet Droz, but both these brands have very differing philosophies behind their products, so we will leave this observation at just that. 

Another special feature is the engraving on the closed case back. This engraving is the winning entry from the annual drawing competition organised by IWC. 

IWC Portugieser Hand-Wound Monopusher Edition
Image courtesy ©IWC Schaffhausen

The engraving on this new release follows the theme of friendship and has been created by 15-year-old Yi Xin, who takes part in the “Special Olympics China”. 

This Laureus-supported project offers training in Olympic sports disciplines for children and adults with mental disabilities.

The Watch

This new release from IWC comes with the following specifications: 

The heart used — 59360 — is an a IWC-manufactured hand-wound movement with a classic column-wheel design beating at the frequency of 4Hz (28’800 A/h). The movement is encased inside a 46mm diameter and 13.9mm thick case. It is comprised of 281 components, contains 36 jewels and Côtes de Genève finishing. 

The watch face shows the functions of hours, minutes, small hacking seconds, date window at 3’o clock and a monopusher chronograph function with minute and second stop function. This functional monopusher chronograph can be started, stopped and reset via a single push button in the oversized crown located at 3’o clock. The recorded time is displayed on the sub-dial at 12 o’clock. It also has a power reserve display 9’o clock. 

The red at the ‘0 to 2 days’ reading of this power reserve display matches with the ’60’ of the sub-dial at 12’o clock, beautifully harmonising a nice touch of colour on an otherwise blue dial face. 

We also admire that the 6 and 12 are missing from the dial and are not eaten into like the newly released Portugieser Chronograph. The movement is encased inside a 46mm diameter and 13.9mm thick case.

The most impressive part? 

It’s got an eight day, or a 192 hours power reserve. 

This is possible as the watch features the calibre 59000 family movement that is renowned for extra power reserve. The way this works is that the movement is stopped mechanically before the reduced torque can cause it to start running inaccurately and in turn helps the owner to wind the watch just once a week. Great added feature we reckon. 

IWC Portugieser Hand-Wound Monopusher Edition
Image courtesy ©IWC Schaffhausen

The Dial

The blue dial — a Laureus characteristic — is protected by a sapphire glass crystal with arched-edges and antireflective coating on both sides.

It features the characteristic Portugieser minute scale, applied Arabic numerals that contrast very well against the blue backdrop, and slim, rhodium-plated ‘feuille’ hands that match well with the rhodium-plated applied numerals and maintain a sense of simplistic coherency to the dial. 

IWC Portugieser Hand-Wound Monopusher Edition
Image courtesy ©IWC Schaffhausen

Other features 

It comes on a special black alligator leather strap by Santoni and the caseback is engraved with ‘Laureus Sport for Good’ and ‘XXX/500’, alongside featuring the special drawing engraving we talked about earlier. 

The IWC Portugieser Hand-Wound Monopusher Edition — reference IW515301 — is enclosed in a stainless steel case and retails for 17’00 CHF.

Watch Ya Gonna Do About It?

The IWC Schaffhausen Portugieser Hand-Wound Monopusher Edition presents an oversized yet good looking dress watch. Given that the watches are limited edition, they are something that IWC fans and watch enthusiasts will surely lap up real quick. We can’t say this is a daily wearable watch though, but it can be paired well with jeans and t-shirts over the weekends. 

When we look at the new IWC Portugieser Hand-Wound Monopusher Edition, elegance is one word that comes to mind. Simplicity is another. Anyone looking to support a good cause and to own a watch that is innately IWC in its design, should stop their search. If you can pull off a big watch, this is the one for you. 

For more information of these watches and other IWC Schaffhausen watches, head to their website here.

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