IWC Schaffhausen 2020 releases

We will always remember 2020 as the year we missed out on the annual Basel watch fair in Switzerland. The world’s largest watch and jewellery trade show see masters in horology old and new come together under one roof to showcase their tantalizing new releases.  This year IWC Schaffhausen has extended its most popular line – the Portugieser collection. The company has welcomed back the 6 o’clock sub-dial, expanded the 42mm automatic line with two new colourful dial options, and created a comfortably sized 40mm iteration. The latter reflects a new trend in watch wearing that sees collectors leaning towards a more compact case size once more.

Let’s take a closer look at IWC Schaffhausen’s new 2020 releases…

Portugieser Automatic 40 and 42

The Portugieser Automatic 40 model is a home run. Aficionados of the Portugieser collection have been waiting for a down-sized variation for some time since the market is seeing watch cases reducing to a more wrist-friendly size. There are a few configurations of this model to choose from. The reference: IW358303 is a steel 40mm version with a silver-plated dial and elegant rose golden appliques.  The reference: IW358304 is a steel 40mm silver-plated dial with blued steel detailing, and the IW358305 is a steel 40mm blue dial and silvered accents. The IW358306 iteration, however, is a rose gold 40mm design with a silver-plated dial. It boasts rose gold hands and hour markers and a blued steel small second sub-dial hand. Based on the 1993 Portugieser anniversary reference: 325, this new Portugieser Automatic 40 is a very welcome addition to the line.

The IWC Portugieser 42mm models are automatically powered and distinguishable not only for their bi-compax dial positioned on an east-west axis but for their unusually vibrant dials. The manufacturer has played about with different colour combinations with a captivating blue dial version and a burgundy red display. The silver-coloured Arabic numerals have been applied to the periphery of the dial as opposed to painted on, and the Feuille-shaped hands are a nice touch to the design, reaching right out to the hour and minute track. The hands of the 42mm models are powered by the automatic Calibre 52010 with a useful 60-hour power reserve. The blue dial version reference: IW500713 is a boutique edition. Its case is crafted from an alluring 18ct 5N rose gold material and will appeal to those with a taste for the more luxurious-looking models from the range. Alternatively, the stainless steel model reference IW500714 with a burgundy dial, like its opulent blue sibling, is completed on a Santoni leather strap.

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Portugieser Perpetual Calendar 42

IWC Schaffhausen have released a boutique edition and a 42mm Portugieser Perpetual Calendar in both a steel and rose gold variant. The design of the perpetual calendar combines a functional and practical display with an engine from the 82000 Calibre family. To start with, the boutique edition is clothed in the manufacturer’s proprietary Armor Gold and features a dramatic blue dial with matching 18ct rose gold detailing. With a moonphase feature that displays the exact positioning of the moon as it is seen in the night sky, this is a humble addition to IWC’s Portugieser line. Functions include day, date, month, a power reserve (7-days) and a small second sub-dial, all made possible by a perfectly engineered Calibre 52000 series movement. Interestingly, the components of the movement’s pawl-winding system are crafted from virtually wear-free zirconium oxide ceramic.

Aside from the boutique edition, two variations are available in the new Portugieser Perpetual Calendar 42mm design. The reference: IW344202 combines a rose gold crafted case with silver plated dial and brown leather strap, and the reference: IW344203 is a steel version with white dial and classic black leather band. These designs feature the moonphase indicator incorporated into the month sub-counter at the unusual position of 6 o’clock as opposed to 12.

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Portugieser Yacht Club Moon & Tide

The IWC Portugieser Yacht Club Moon & Tide model reference: IW344001 debuts a newly adapted tide-following complication encased within a confident 44.6mm 18ct rose gold bodywork. Its shining blue dial fuses a sporty-elegant feel with a practical blue rubber strap. It features a moon phase display whilst noting the strength of the tides and differentiating between spring and neap tides. This nautical-inspired dial will undoubtedly appeal to collectors of the Yacht Club series, as well as those intending to make full use out of its functions whilst out at sea. The Calibre 82835 which beats within a splash-ready 30-meter water-resistant case, produces an impressive 60-hour power reserve.

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Portugieser Yacht Club Chronograph

Speaking of the Portugieser Yacht Club, IWC launch this new chronograph addition to the family. Its robust corrosion-resistant stainless steel case can be enjoyed on a sunburst deep blue dial (reference: IW390701) or a more classic silver display (reference: IW390702).  The 44mm models present the time via rhodium-plated hands and combine a small seconds display with a date feature, along with hours and minutes combined at the 12 o’clock totalizer. Its design is inspired by old pocket watches of a bygone era paired with the efficiency of a marine chronometer. The beauty of the IWC Portugieser Yacht Club Chronograph lies within in svelte, sporty aesthetic and its flyback function which enables you to start, stop and reset a timing with the simple push of a button.

The Portugieser Yacht Club Chronograph reference: IW390703 is rendered in 18ct 5N Rose gold, combined with stainless steel in a bi-colour design. With a respectable 60-meter water resistant capability and powered by the Calibre 89361, the watch, as with the two all-steel models, shows elapsed minutes and hours clearly at the top of the dial.

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Portugieser Tourbillon Rétrograde Chronograph

These two complications sit at the top of IWC’s releases in terms of functionality, complexity and pricing. The Portugieser Tourbillon Rétrograde Chronograph is available in a platinum case with silver dial (reference: IW394006) or blue dial (reference: IW394005) made from IWC's proprietary Armor Gold which uses 5N rose gold, promising greater wear-resistance The caliber 89900 includes a tourbillon with a stop-seconds function, a skeletonized escape wheel (adorned in the company’s friction-resistant Diamond Shell technology), and pallet fork. On the dial side, the chronograph minutes and seconds are placed co-axially and, of course, balanced by a striking retrograde date display.

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Portugieser Perpetual Calendar Tourbillon

Last up is the Portugieser Perpetual Calendar Tourbillon. It exposes the beating heart of the timepiece through its dial-side as well as its exhibition caseback crafted from sapphire crystal glass. Of course, technical complexity is something that IWC Schaffhausen has nailed, particularly in the layout and meticulous construction of this Portugieser watch. Even if the watch is stationary and left in a vertical position, the tourbillon ensures the escapement turns on its own axis, cancelling the effect of gravity. The model is available in a boutique edition (reference IW504504) rendered in IWC’s very own Armor Gold and a rich blue dial, or a platinum version (reference IW504505) with a silver-plated dial. Following the signature design language of IWC Schaffhausen’s Perpetual Calendars, the watch presents a 7-day power reserve combined with the date at 3 o’clock. A moonphase display accurate to within one day's error in 577.5 years combines seamlessly with a month feature at 6 o’clock. Finally, a day and small seconds counter features at 9.

The new Portugieser releases from IWC Schaffhausen offer a little something for every kind of watch wearer. With a choice between classic stainless steel, platinum rose gold or the manufacture’s exclusive Armor gold - it’s clear to see that IWC hasn’t skimped on one iota when it comes to kitting these impeccable timekeeping tools out with the very best in components, engines and materials.