Haute Complication: IWC Portugieser Perpetual Calendar Edition “150 Years”
IWC celebrated their 150th anniversary in style, with a special ‘Jubilee Collection’ of which this Portugieser Perpetual Calendar is also a member. In the history of IWC, this is an important complication, revolutionized by their very own Kurt Klaus, who was the brand’s Head of Development and Research when the legendary Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar took the watch world by force.
The perpetual calendar can now be found in the collections of the vast majority of Swiss Haute Horlogerie brands, yet IWC has maintained its special position in this market, and the Portugieser Perpetual Calendar Edition “150 Years” shows exactly why this is the case. Traditionally the Portugieser is the collection within IWC’s line up with the most generous sized watches in it. The brand takes full advantage of this and presents all the information nicely spaced out on the dial, which makes it easy to read.
This Portugieser Perpetual Calendar from the Jubilee Collection is in many ways similar to the regular model, with one major difference: the dial. The lacquered finish, especially in combination with the red gold case, is eye-catching and sets off the blued hands and other details on he dial. It gives the watch a vintage touch without going full blown retro. This is also because IWC opted for the double moon phase display, that shows the current moon phase for both the northern and southern hemisphere, which always look more modern than the traditional moon phase display. It is also very precise, as it will only be off by one day, every 577.5 years.
One of the best things about the Portugieser Perpetual Calendar is when you turn the watch over and see the movement through the glass case back. It fills nearly the entire diameter of the case and is dominated by a solid gold rotor, part of the automatic Pellaton winding system. It transfers its power to two mainspring barrels, which can power the watch up to seven days. The Portugieser Perpetual Calendar Edition “150 Years” is limited to 250 pieces and costs $39.900,-
