Here we are with the Boutique Edition version of IWC’s timeless Portugieser Perpetual Calendar model equipped with high complications.
Portugieser Perpetual Calendar is a model that has been in the collection of the International Watch Company, aka IWC, for many years. The movement with perpetual calendar, developed by Kurt Klaus, one of the most famous living master-watchmakers, for the Da Vinci collection, launched in 1985, powers the top models of modern IWC timepieces.
IWC Portugieser Perpetual Calendar Boutique Edition, which is the guest of the Horobox Hands-On corner, will be delivered to watch enthusiasts through IWC Boutiques only, as its name suggests.
The model comes in a 44.2mm x 14.9mm case made of 18K Armor Gold alloy. Since this alloy, patented to the brand, is harder and more resistant to wear than standard 18K gold, it is also less affected by the abrasive effects of years. The waterproof value of the model is 30 meters, as in other versions of the series.
At the heart of the watch is the in-house Caliber 52610 developed and manufactured by IWC. 54-jewels automatic movement beats at a frequency of 4Hz (28800vph) and offers 7 days/168 hours of power reserve when fully wound. The caliber, which has a perpetual calendar complication that can be set using the winding crown, does not need any adjustment until 2499. When it comes to the year 2500, the operation required for the next 500 years is completed with the replacement of the small part in the watch, which shows the first two digits of the year display. The only rule to consider when setting the watch forward is not to pass the desired day/date setting. Otherwise, you have to stop and wait until it reaches that date as there is no backward setting option for the movement. In addition to the hour and minute hands, the dial has day, date, month, moon phase, small seconds, and remaining power reserve indicators.
IWC Portugieser Perpetual Calendar Boutique Edition comes with a 22mm wide blue alligator strap with diamond-shaped pattern, and a folding clasp made of 18K Armor Gold alloy. The list price for the model is 38,000 CHF.
