IWC was founded in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, in 1868 by American watchmaker Florentine Ariosto Jones. The company began with a bold vision to merge advanced American manufacturing techniques with Swiss craftsmanship, establishing its factory in this location where it could harness the power of the Rhine River. In 1903, the motto "Probus Scafusia" (Excellent Schaffhausen Craftsmanship) was established, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to quality. The "Portugieser" collection was born in 1939 following a commission from Portuguese merchants, and along with the Pilot's Watches, it has grown into one of the brand's signature collections. IWC is also known for its early adoption of advanced materials such as titanium and ceramic. Even after joining the Richemont Group in 2000, the company continues to uphold its over 150-year tradition of watchmaking in Schaffhausen.

Ceratanium® is an advanced material developed by IWC. It is based on a special titanium alloy and is fired at high temperatures. It offers the lightness and robustness of titanium combined with the hardness and scratch resistance of ceramic. Furthermore, the dark, metallic finish achieved through firing creates a unique material aesthetic unlike any other, and in this model, it is used for the entire case, crown, and push-buttons.

The Portugieser is one of IWC's signature, iconic collections. Since its introduction in 1998, this chronograph model has embodied sporty elegance. Traditional design elements, such as the inner bezel with 1/5-second markings and the vertically arranged sub-dials, are well-known. In this new model, these elements subtly emerge from the all-black background, further accentuating the beauty of the chronograph's silhouette.