W&W 2020: IWC Portugieser Perpetual Calendar 42 and 44

IWC Schaffhausen presents the Portugieser Perpetual Calendar 42. For the first time, the IWC calendar complication is integrated in an IWC-manufactured movement from the 82000-calibre family. The timepiece, which has a diameter of 42 millimetres, displays the calendar information on three subdials. IWC is also unveiling a boutique edition of the iconic 44-millimetre Portugieser Perpetual Calendar in 18-carat “Armor Gold”.

Back in the 1980s, IWC’s legendary watchmaker Kurt Klaus designed a perpetual calendar that comprised only about 80 individual parts. In 2003 this perpetual calendar appeared in the Portugieser family for the first time, IWC launched the Portugieser Perpetual Calendar (Reference 5021). IWC combined its in-house 5000 calibre with the perpetual calendar module developed by Kurt Klaus. The calendar module has been continuously improved over the years. It will require a correction only in 2100 because, due to a quirk of the Gregorian calendar, the leap year that would normally occur then, will be omitted.

Portugieser Perpetual Calendar 42

For the new Portugieser Perpetual Calendar 42 (Ref. 3442), IWC has now integrated the complication for the first time with an in-house movement from the 82000-calibre family. Its compact dimensions have made it possible to offer the watch a diameter of just 42 millimetres. The IWC-manufactured 82650 calibre advances the calendar module with a single impulse during the night. The automatic Pellaton winding is equipped with zirconium oxide ceramic components and builds up a power reserve of 60 hours. The movement becomes visible through the transparent sapphire caseback.

The perpetual calendar’s mechanical programme independently recognises the different lengths of the months and adds an extra day at the end of February every four years. All the displays are perfectly synchronised with each other and can be adjusted simply via the crown. In this version of the calendar, the displays for the date, month and day of the week are distributed over three subdials at 3 o’clock, 6 o’clock and 9 o’clock. The perpetual moon phase display was integrated into the month display and deviates from the actual orbit of the moon by only one day after 577.5 years. An indicator in the weekday display counts the years until the next leap year.

Two models are housed in an 18-carat 5N gold case. The third one features a stainless-steel case.

Ref. IW344202: 18-carat 5N gold case, silver-plated dial, gold-plated hands, 18-carat gold appliques, brown alligator leather strap by Santoni.
Ref. IW344203: Stainless steel case, silver-plated dial, gold-plated hands and appliques, black alligator leather strap by Santoni.

Ref. IW344205 Boutique Edition: 18-carat 5N gold case, blue dial, gold-plated hands, 18-carat gold appliques, blue alligator leather strap by Santoni.

Portugieser Perpetual Calendar 44 – Boutique Edition

The classic Portugieser Perpetual Calendar (Ref. 5033) with a 44-millimetre diameter displays the calendar information on four subdials. In addition to the displays for the date, day, month and moon phase, it features a four-digit year display, small seconds and a power reserve display. Newly available is a Boutique Edition with maritime-inspired design cues, an 18-carat “Armor Gold” case, a blue dial and a blue alligator leather strap by Santoni.

Ref. IW503312 Boutique Edition: 18-carat Armor Gold® case, blue dial, gold-plated hands, 18-carat gold appliques, blue alligator leather strap by Santoni.

The timepiece is powered by the IWC-manufactured 52610 calibre, which features a bidirectional Pellaton winding system fitted with components made of virtually wear-free zirconium oxide ceramic. Two barrels build up a power reserve of seven days.

The Portugieser Perpetual Calendar Ref. IW344202 (Gold) is priced at 32,000 euros. Ref. IW344203 is priced at 22,500 euros. The price of the Boutique Editions are not yet known.

www.iwc.com

FEATURES

IW3442XX

IW503312