By Wade Forman
The Minute Repeater is one of the most sophisticated watchmaking complications that is a true piece of hard work and history. The IWC Portugieser Minute Repeater has kept many watch lovers in awe since its creation in 1995. Celebrating their 20th anniversary this year, it holds its rightful place in the collection. IWC brings you this timepiece in a limited edition of 500 watches, each in platinum and 18-carat red gold.
The Minute Repeater is a very stylish watch that I personally love. It features a very attractive 44 mm dial. The timepiece sits very nicely on the wrist, and is not oversized. The patented mechanical design brings around 250 individual parts that work together to create a mechanical orchestra. The design features two steel gongs that are struck by the two hammers when the repeating slide is pushed down. The strike of the two gongs ring out the time distinctly in hours, quarters and minutes. The high-pitched tones ring on the elapsed quarters with double strikes, the low pitches ring on the hour. Every minute that has passed since the previous quarter is marked with one strike on the higher-pitched of two gongs. The watch is equipped with the 98950-caliber hunter pocket watch movement that took IWC a total culmination of 50,000 hours to perfect the elaborate minute repeater, which is featured in the Grande Complication and the Minute Repeater. Also included is a 50 hour power reserve.
I personally would wear this watch. It functions great with a suit and also works with casual wear. IWC has a reputation for creating fantastic products that bring style and class with a great timepiece. If you are considering this watch buy it. Do not pass this timepiece up as it is a collectors dream.
The back of the Minute Repeater uses see through Sapphire glass to view the 250 individual pieces that work in harmony. The dial is Sapphire glass, with an arched edge, and anti-reflective coating. Overall, this self-winding mechanical timepiece is a must have in anyone’s collection. IWC makes fantastic pieces and they certainly didn’t drop the ball with the Minute Repeater. The price is marked at $97,000 to $122,000. With your purchase, you are getting a flawless and stylish piece that comes with a line of history. There is not more to ask for in a watch.
For more info, please visit iwc.com
REF. IW544906 ∙IW544907
FEATURES
Mechanical movement – Minute repeater for hours, quarters and minutes – Small hacking seconds – Glucydur®* beryllium alloy balance with high-precision adjustment cam on the balance arms – Breguet spring – See-through sapphire-glass back – Three-quarter bridge – Limited edition of 500 watches each in platinum and 18-carat red gold
MOVEMENT
IWC-manufactured calibre 98950
Frequency 18,000 A/h / 2.5 Hz
Jewels 52
Power reserve 46 h
Winding hand-wound
WATCH
Materials Ref. IW544906: case in platinum, silver-plated dial, black alligator leather strap, folding clasp in platinum Ref. IW544907: case in 18-carat red gold, silver-plated dial, brown alligator leather strap, folding clasp in 18-carat red gold
Glass sapphire, arched edge, antireflective coating on both sides
Diameter 44 mm
Case height 14 mm
Wade Forman – Contributing Writer
Wade Forman has an enthusiasm for all timepieces, whether it’s vintage or modern luxury. It was at the age of 15 when Wade’s fascination with Horology began. His favorite brands are IWC, Rolex, TAG Heuer, Audemars Piguet and Patek Phillipe. Wade is also a football player, and enjoys hanging out with family and friends. Read his articles here.
