IWC | Portuguese Hand-Wound

IWC

Portuguese Hand-Wound

By Yasuhito Shibuya

A simple model with the legendary hand-wound movement, coveted by watch enthusiasts.

IWC was founded in 1868 by Florentine Ariosto Jones, an American watchmaker, in Schaffhausen. His first pocket watch was equipped with the most advanced mechanical movement conceivable at the time. The hand-wound movement "Cal.98295," which inherits its basic specifications, is commonly known as the "Jones Caliber" and is one of IWC's most appealing mechanical calibers due to its classic character. This simple small-seconds model, featuring this exquisite movement that has been used primarily in premium limited editions, has finally arrived as a regular production model. In particular, the stainless steel model pictured, priced well under one million yen, is a truly special timepiece that meets the expectations of watch enthusiasts.

Hand-wound, stainless steel case, alligator strap, sapphire crystal case back, 44mm case diameter, ¥845,250, scheduled for release in Summer 2010.

BRAND HISTORY

IWC (International Watch Company) was founded in 1868 by American watchmaker Florentine Ariosto Jones in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, located on the border with Germany. He aimed to introduce the automation already in practical use in America to the Swiss watch industry, striving for more efficient and refined watchmaking.

It is said that Jones chose Schaffhausen as the founding location due to the presence of a large power generation facility built by Johann Heinrich Moser at the time. However, the location's advantage along the German border contributed to the brand's characteristic of robust, high-quality watch manufacturing.

IWC experienced its most rapid growth in relation to the development of the aviation industry. In particular, the "Pilot's Watch" developed in the 1930s was officially adopted by the British Royal Air Force and the German and Austrian militaries during World War II, becoming the aspiration of pilots worldwide.

Subsequently, the company continued to develop unique mechanisms such as the Pellaton automatic winding system and a perpetual calendar that can display dates up to the year 2499. Furthermore, by releasing popular series such as the anti-magnetic "Ingenieur," the "Portugieser" inspired by its own pocket watches, and the high-depth diver's watch "Aquatimer," IWC has garnered strong support from watch enthusiasts around the globe.

FOUNDED: 1868
FOUNDING LOCATION: Schaffhausen, Switzerland
KEY SERIES: Ingenieur, Aquatimer, Portugieser, Da Vinci
INQUIRIES: IWC 03-3288-6359

Official Website: https://www.iwc.com/