IWC Schaffhausen New Releases New Watches Portugieser

New watch of 2020 IWC Schaffhausen Portugieser Chronograph

Today we are introducing the latest watch release, the IWC Schaffhausen Portugieser Chronograph. Brands are reworking their existing collections in 2020 — Zenith Elite collection is an example — and IWC is following suit with revamped versions of the iconic Portugieser Chronograph reference IW3716.

New watch of 2020 IWC Schaffhausen Portugieser Chronograph

Today we are introducing the latest watch release, the IWC Schaffhausen Portugieser Chronograph. Brands are reworking their existing collections in 2020 — Zenith Elite collection is an example — and IWC is following suit with revamped versions of the iconic Portugieser Chronograph reference IW3716. 

The Update

This new release from IWC does add a great deal of interest by updating the movement to the in-house 69000-calibre family.

The heart used — 69355 — is an automatic winding movement with a classic column-wheel design beating at the frequency of 4Hz (28’800 A/h). The movement is encased inside a 41mm diameter and 13.1mm thick case.

It contains 27 jewels and an automatic pawl-winding — system that makes use of every rotor’s every smallest movement in either direction that is then used to wind the mainspring system —and the watch has a decent 46 hour power reserve.

The watch face shows the functions of hours, minutes, small hacking seconds, and chronograph with a stopwatch function with minutes and seconds.

IWC Schaffhausen Portugieser Chronograph
Image courtesy ©IWC Schaffhausen

This updated movement can now be admired through a display sapphire glass case-back. 

Another small update has been on the straps front. The stainless-steel models are now equipped with the newly developed butterfly folding clasps. 

Even though the movement has been completely revamped, on the outside, the Portugieser Chronograph retains its old-school charm.

Luke. Meet your Father.

Fans of the brand would appreciate that the new chronograph retains the charm that makes this one of the most popular watches ever to emerge from IWC.

One of the most striking design aspects of this watch is the clean, open and functional dial that has two recessed totalizers at 6’o clock and 12’o clock and a flange that is printed with a quarter-second scale that helps in readability of the dial. 

The dial also features appliquéd Arabic numerals and slim ‘feuille’ hands that contrast well with the dial face and provide for good legibility. 

The dial is surrounded by a very slim ‘filigree’ bezel and covered by a convex sapphire crystal with antireflective coating on both sides. The railway track markings on the outer edge of the dial provide a certain vintage feel to these watches as well.

IWC Schaffhausen Portugieser Chronograph
Image courtesy ©IWC Schaffhausen

The Polarising Factor 

One of the polarising aspects about the watch design is the cutting off of number 6 and 12 on the dial by the small seconds sub-dials.

Depending upon which school of thought you are from you may either criticise this or appreciate the fact that the Portugieser family derives from the 1939 version of a large wrist watch that was purple built to mimic a pocket watch for two Portuguese merchants. 

Another thing people might criticise is the mere 30m of water resistance. I would have to agree with this because a chronograph is essentially a sports watch feature and should have at least 50m water resistance.

The Variations

The new IWC Schaffhausen Portugieser Chronograph is spread across six different variations and comes in the options of either 18-carat 5N gold or stainless steel case body.

We are listing them here in price ascending order for your easy reference. 

The first four versions are in stainless steel and the last two in gold.

Reference IW371604 has a silver-plated dial featuring gold-plated hands and appliqués. It comes on a black alligator leather strap and costs 7’950 USD.

Reference IW371605 has a silver-plated dial featuring blue hands and appliqués. It comes on a blue alligator leather strap and costs 7’950 USD.

Reference IW371606 has a blue dial featuring rhodium-plated hands and appliqués. It comes on a black alligator leather strap and costs 7’950 USD.

Reference IW371609 has a black dial featuring rhodium-plated hands and appliqués. It comes on a black alligator leather strap and costs 7’950 USD.

Reference IW371610 has a slate-coloured dial featuring gold-plated hands & 18-carat gold appliqués. It comes on a special black alligator leather strap by Santoni and costs 17’800 USD.

Reference IW371611 has a silver-plated dial featuring gold-plated hands & 18-carat gold appliqués. It comes on a special brown alligator leather strap by Santoni and costs 17’800 USD.

Watch Ya Gonna Do About It?

The IWC Schaffhausen Portugieser Chronograph collection presents a good looking dress chronograph watch. Given that the watches are not limited edition, they are something that IWC fans and watch enthusiasts can check out at leisure and decide if they are the right option for them.

The Portugieser Chronograph family has previously mostly outsourced it’s movements so the incorporation of in-house 69000 series of chronograph movements is definitely a big deal. 

Note that IWC did use in-house chronograph calibre 8900 series before, but they had to make those cases larger. The current 41mm size should fit excellently on most wrist sizes.

Another aspect that we appreciate is that even though they have done an update on a classic watch, IWC has ensured that the dial faces still remain the same as the previous and existing collections. This is something I’m sure that watch collectors and fans of the brand will admire.

In the Portugieser Chronograph, IWC presents a simple and timeless classic design.  

If you like the distinctive look of IWC watches, this one is a must have to add to any collection. 

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

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