WATCH & JEWELRY /
SIHH＆BASEL
May 1, 2015
IWC | Portugieser Tourbillon Mystère Retrograde
IWC
Portuguese Tourbillon Mystère Retrograde
Portuguese Tourbillon Mystère Retrograde
By Yasuto Shibuya
Equipped with a tourbillon and a retrograde date mechanism
This is a successor and evolved model to the "Portuguese Tourbillon Mystère," which captivated audiences at the 2008 S.I.H.H. with its 12 o'clock tourbillon that completes one rotation per minute, appearing to float in mid-air. In addition to the tourbillon and the 3 o'clock power reserve indicator, it newly incorporates a retrograde date mechanism with its pivot between the 7 and 8 o'clock indices. The retrograde hand displays dates from 1 to 31, automatically resetting to the 1st when transitioning from the 31st. Notably, all operations, including advancing the date for shorter months and February, can be performed with a single crown. Furthermore, despite the addition of the retrograde date display, it achieves a remarkable 7-day power reserve, similar to the "Tourbillon Mystère" (it continues to run with high precision for seven days even when stationary if fully wound).
Self-winding, red gold case, alligator strap, see-through case back, 44.2mm case diameter, ¥10,458,000, 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 along the German border. He aimed to introduce the automation already in practical 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 at the time. However, the strategic location 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. In particular, 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 an object of admiration for pilots worldwide.
Subsequently, the company continued to develop unique mechanisms such as the Pellaton automatic winding system and a perpetual calendar mechanism capable of displaying dates up to the year 2999. It has also garnered significant support from watch enthusiasts globally with the successive release of popular series like the anti-magnetic "Ingenieur," the "Portugieser" inspired by its own pocket watches, and the deep-diving "Aquatimer."
FOUNDED: 1868
FOUNDING LOCATION: Schaffhausen, Switzerland
KEY SERIES: Ingenieur, Aquatimer, Portugieser, Da Vinci
INQUIRIES: IWC 03-3288-6359
Official Website: https://www.iwc.com/