Portugieser Chronograph

The Portugieser Chronograph Story

The Portugieser Chronograph is one of IWC Schaffhausen’s most iconic models. With its compact diameter of 41 millimetres, it fits almost any wrist. However, the thin bezel gives the impression of wearing a significantly larger timepiece. The clear, functional dial boasts applied Arabic numerals and slender Feuille hands. Printed with a quarter-second scale, the inner réhaut not only allows precise reading of the stop time but also reminds us of the Portugieser’s origins as a nautical precision instrument for the wrist. This model features a stainless steel case, a green dial, as well as rhodium-plated hands and appliqués; it is fitted with a black alligator leather strap. Inside the sporty-elegant chronograph, the IWC-manufactured 69355 calibre is at work. The robust and precise chronograph movement in classic column-wheel design is visible through a sapphire-glass case back.

Calibre Family 69000

Movements from the 69000-calibre family are used in all IWC watches that require a precise, robust and high-performance chronograph movement. The chronograph is a classic column-wheel design and takes the energy it needs from a bidirectional pawl-winding system similar to the Pellaton mechanism. The dial contains three subdials: one for the hour counter at “9 o’clock”, one for the minute counter at “12 o’clock” and one for the small seconds at “6 o’clock”. Movements in this calibre family have a frequency of 4 hertz (28,800 beats per hour) and a power reserve of 46 hours.

The Portugieser Collection

Only a few designs are absolutely timeless. With the Portugieser, IWC created an icon in the late 1930s. The basis for the Reference 325, which was delivered to two business men from Portugal – hence its name – was a hunter pocket watch caliber. Inspiration for the clean, open, highly functional dial came from the deck watches IWC was producing for the British Royal Navy at the time. From the outset, the Portugieser had the typical stylistic features of a pocket watch, coupled with the high precision and easy readability of a nautical instrument.

About IWC Schaffhausen

In 1868, the American watchmaker and entrepreneur Florentine Ariosto Jones travelled from Boston to Switzerland and founded the “International Watch Company” in Schaffhausen. His visionary dream was to combine advanced American manufacturing methods with the craftsmanship of Swiss watchmakers to make the best pocket watches of his time. In doing so, he not only laid the foundation to IWC’s unique engineering approach but also established the centralized production of mechanical watches in Switzerland.

Over its 150 year history, IWC Schaffhausen has developed a reputation for creating functional complications, especially chronographs and calendars, which are ingenious, robust and easy for customers to use. A pioneer in the use of titanium and ceramics, IWC today specializes in highly engineered technical watch cases manufactured from advanced materials, such as titanium-aluminide and Ceratanium®. Preferring the principle of “form follows function” over decoration, the Swiss watch manufacturer’s timeless creations embody their owners’ dream and ambitions as the journey through life.