IWC added a new reference to the Automatic 40 series, one of the new generation sub-groups of its long-running model family Portugieser. The new model comes with a metal bracelet, a first for the product line.
Portugieser is among the most established product groups of the Schaffhausen brand. The story of the model family begins in 1939 when two Portuguese traders (Rodrigues and Teixeira) requested durable and precise watches to be worn on the wrist while sailing from IWC. Equipped with a movement that was used in pocket watches, the models were highly appreciated with their sizes and minimalist designs that are quite contradictory back then. The model family, which almost disappeared during the Quartz crisis that significantly affected the Swiss watch industry, began to appear in IWC catalogs again with the Jubilee Edition Ref. 5441, designed for the 125th anniversary of the brand in 1993. The Portugieser Chronograph Rattrapante Ref: 3712, produced two years after Ref. 5441, reinforced the model family's place in the collection. Although the Portugieser family hosted many different references along the way, it took its design DNA from these two models (Ref. 5441 and Ref. 3712) in general.
The latest addition to the collection (Ref. IW358312) is in the Automatic 40 series, which was added to the product line in 2020. Despite its compact dimensions compared to previous models, the case does not compromise Portugieser DNA and measures 40.4mm x 12.3mm. The elegant case made of stainless steel features a sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating on the front and a steel cover with a sapphire crystal display on the back. Accompanied by an IWC signed winding crown, the case can only withstand water pressure up to 30 meters.
The new model houses a contrast dial with bright blue numeral hour markers and leaf style hands on a silvery-white background. Paying homage to the basic design elements of the model with its small seconds counter at 6 o'clock, the dial does not include any extra features, including the date window. The dial, appreciated for its simple design, also draws a successful profile in terms of legibility with its contrasting color palette.
At the heart of the model beats the IWC Caliber 82200. The automatic movement, designed and produced in-house, offers a 60-hour power reserve with the help of the brand's patented Pellaton winding mechanism.
The most important innovation of the stylish model is its stainless steel bracelet. The bracelet, which consists of matte and glossy components and has a 20mm lug width, is secured by an IWC signed folding clasp. The bracelet, appreciated for its sporty presence, is also available for sale separately for the owners that bought the previously released leather strap models in the Portugieser Automatic 40 collection.
The list price for the model is EUR 8,200.
