WATCH & JEWELRY /
SIHH＆BASEL
May 1, 2015
IWC | Portugieser Yacht Club Chronograph
IWC
Portugieser Yacht Club Chronograph
By Yasuto Shibuya
The first sports model in the Portugieser collection, designed for yachtsmen.
This IWC chronograph evolves the original concept of a large, highly legible wristwatch developed for seafarers, utilizing contemporary movements and materials. Its automatic movement is the Caliber 89360, first introduced in the Da Vinci Chronograph in 2007. This highly coveted movement features a chronograph counter at the 12 o'clock position that reads elapsed time like a conventional watch dial, a patented Pellaton automatic winding system with shock resistance, and a flyback function allowing for immediate resetting and restarting of measurements. Unlike the robust specifications of the 'Aquatimer' dive watch, this timepiece is designed for reliable use on deck, while also exuding an elegance that complements suits and formal attire.
Automatic, stainless steel case, rubber strap, see-through case back, 45.4mm case diameter, 6 bar water resistance, ¥1,296,750, 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, near the German border. He aimed to introduce the automation already in use in America to the Swiss watchmaking industry, striving for more efficient and refined watch production.
It is said that Jones chose Schaffhausen as the founding location due to the presence of a large power generation facility established by Johann Heinrich Moser. However, its strategic position along the German border also contributed to the brand's characteristic of producing robust, high-quality timepieces.
IWC experienced its most rapid growth in connection with the development of the aviation industry. Notably, the 'Pilot's Watch' developed in the 1930s was officially adopted by the British Royal Air Force and military forces in Germany and Austria during World War II, becoming a symbol of aspiration for pilots worldwide.
Subsequently, the company continued to develop unique mechanisms, such as the Pellaton automatic winding system and a perpetual calendar that displays dates up to the year 2499. IWC has also introduced popular series like the anti-magnetic 'Ingenieur', the 'Portugieser' inspired by its own pocket watches, and the high-depth diver's watch 'Aquatimer', earning widespread acclaim from watch enthusiasts globally.
Founded: 1868
Founded in: Schaffhausen, Switzerland
Main Series: Ingenieur, Aquatimer, Portugieser, Da Vinci
Inquiries: IWC 03-3288-6359
Official Website: https://www.iwc.com/