IWC’s much adored Portugieser Chronograph Classic has just received a very subtle facelift. Along with which, three references are being announced. The Chronograph Classic was first introduced in 2013, inspired by watches from the manufacture’s archives from the 1930s.
The updates are mostly sober. A quick face-to-face comparison suggests that the most substantial point of redesign is really the minute track, which has done away with the original’s minute scale in favor of a very simplified, minimalist railway-track style chapter ring.
The other thing may be that the 12 and 60 mark on the hour and minute totalizer are no longer in the red typography they were in the original. Again, adding to the watch’s new found sobriety.
The movement within, however, remains the in-house flyback movement calibre 89361. Granting the watch the flyback chronograph with a paired hour and minute chrono sub-dial at 12 o’clock, date at 3, central hours and minute, and running seconds at 6 o’clock.
The watch case remains at the 2013’s 42mm and will be offered in red gold (ref. IW39030) and two stainless steel versions, one with a silver-plated dial (ref. IW390302) and the other with — what is without doubt going to be the crowd pleaser — a blue dial (ref. IW390303).
The new Portugieser Chronograph Classic will be offered presently at IWC boutiques and from authorized IWC dealers.
Technical Specifications: Portugieser Chronograph Classic
Movement
Self-winding IWC-manufactured calibre 89361; 68-hour power reserve; hours, minutes, small seconds; date; flyback chronograph with hours and minutes totalizer
Case
42mm; red gold or stainless steel; 30m water resistance
Strap
Alligator leather strap
