IWC Portuguese Chronograph Classic

Portuguese Chronograph Classic

The Portuguese collection from Swiss watch manufacturer IWC Schaffhausen are masterpieces of precision engineering. The delight of watch lovers round the globe for over 70 years, they are landmarks in the history of mechanical timekeeping.

Since its inception, the purist Portuguese line has combined an elegant and timeless language of form with uncompromising horological perfection. Benchmarks of good taste, these chronometers concede nothing to the whims of fashion. The tradition behind the IWC Portuguese family stretches back to the precision nautical instruments once used by navigators to discover the world. Over half a millennium later, in the late 1930s, two Portuguese businessmen working in the watch sector visited the Schaffhausen factory and commissioned wrist watches to match the accuracy of a marine chronometer. The first Portuguese, in 1939, came fitted with a pocket watch movement. The IWC watch line has endured over 70 years since then and is a firm favourite amongst the world’s watch lovers, who appreciate its sheer size, precision and complex mechanics.

THE ELEGANCE OF A CLASSIC

The new Portuguese Chronograph Classic (Ref. 3904) brings exceptional elegance and classically inspired design to this popular collection, though the redesigned watch has a surprisingly independent look. This third chronograph member of the Portuguese dynasty preserves the identity and cultural heritage of the legendary originals of the 1930s. The timepiece comes complete with appliquéd Arabic numerals, a railway-track-style chapter ring and slender feuille hands. An arched-edge front glass makes this slim beauty’s 42-millimetre diameter seem smaller than it is. The traditional type of glass used admirably sets off the language of form, lending a well-balanced and classical impression. Powering the Portuguese Chronograph Classic is an IWC-manufactured 89361 calibre, developed specifically to record time spans of up to 12 hours on a subdial. The result is as bold and easy to read as a clock face. The sapphire-glass back reveals the 89361 calibre and the rotor, resplendent in Geneva stripes. The Portuguese Chronograph Classic is available in 18-carat red gold or stainless steel, both with silver-plated or slate-coloured dial.

CRAFTSMANSHIP FROM THE TRADITIONSTEEPED HOUSE OF SANTONI

The Portuguese Chronograph Classic is fitted with exquisite leather straps from the House of Santoni. This Italian family firm specializes in nuanced dyeing of leather. Every Santoni strap is lovingly finished with manual artistry to lend an exclusive patina look with individual colour shade. To achieve this effect, Santoni craftsmen polish the leather surface with various pastes until they take on the desired shading and a perfect sheen. Santoni’s elegant leather products epitomize masterly craftsmanship and the highest quality.

Technical Specifications

REF. IW390402 · IW390403 · IW390404 · IW390405

FEATURES
Mechanical chronograph movement – Self-winding – 68-hour power reserve when fully wound – Date display – Stopwatch function with hours, minutes and seconds – Hour and minute counters combined at 12 o’clock – Flyback function – Small hacking seconds – See-through sapphire-glass back

MOVEMENT
Calibre: 89361
Frequency: 28,800 A/h / 4 Hz
Jewels: 38
Power reserve: 68 h
Winding: automatic

WATCH
Materials
Ref. IW390402: 18-carat red gold case with silver-plated dial, dark brown Santoni alligator leather strap, pin buckle in 18-carat red gold Ref.
IW390405: 18-carat red gold case with slate-coloured dial, black Santoni alligator leather strap, pin buckle in 18-carat red gold
Ref. IW390404: stainless-steel case with slate-coloured dial, black Santoni alligator leather strap, folding clasp in stainless steel
Ref. IW390403: stainless-steel case with silver-plated dial, black Santoni alligator leather strap, folding clasp in stainless steel

Glass: sapphire, arched edge, antireflective coating on both sides
Back: See-through sapphire glass
Water-resistant: 3 bar
Diameter: 42 mm
Case height: 14.5 mm

Published by WatchMundi