The history of the IWC Portugieser is inextricably linked to seafaring, sailing and navigation. In the late 1930s, the watchmakers from Schaffhausen developed the first Portugieser, a wristwatch with the precision of a marine chronometer. Its clean, functional dial took inspiration from the deck observation watches of the time; nautical precision instruments used for navigation. With the new collection, IWC continues the maritime legacy of the Portugieser and introduces a broad range of attractive new models, all of which are fitted with IWC-manufactured calibres and feature a timelessly modern design inspired by the world of modern yachting.
To make the universe of the Portugieser tangible in a never-before-seen way, designers from IWC and Solaris Yachts joined forces to create a customised sailing yacht. The starting point was the Solaris 55, a 55-foot long racer/cruiser which is optimised for performance sailing with a small crew but also offers maximum comfort for extended cruising. The creative specialists carefully adapted the yacht to different design codes found in the new IWC Portugieser collection, while at the same time making sure that it perfectly represents the look and feel of the brand’s new advertising campaign. The yacht’s name, “Double Moon”, is reminiscent of the unique moon-phase display of IWC’s legendary perpetual calendar. Presented for the first time in 2003 in the Portugieser Perpetual Calendar (Ref. 5201), it correctly depicts the phase of the moon as seen in both the northern and southern hemispheres.
“The Solaris 55 is an elegant and modern sailing yacht with sleek lines, sport-inspired features and high-quality furnishings," said Christian Knoop, Creative Director of IWC Schaffhausen. "It perfectly matches the nautical universe of the Portugieser. As a long-time sailor, I am particularly pleased that our most iconic watch family can now finally set sail.”
The hull, mast, boom and deck superstructure of the “Double Moon” are mostly dark blue and white. Inside, the main bulkhead, the bulkhead at the stairway and the window area are clad in black. The rudder and the handrails at the stairs are covered with braided blue leather, inspired by the unique calf leather used for the Boutique Edition watch straps. Cleats, winches and other details in polished chrome make for a noble appearance and link to the finished metal cases of the Portugieser watches. The British designer fashion label Orlebar Brown, likewise a partner of IWC, has furnished the cabin with colour-coordinated textiles such as seat cushions and towels. The saloon table features an integrated glass display watch box. The navigation area under deck prominently features the IWC Portugieser style clock and weather station, consisting of four luxury-finished instruments: a clock, a barometer, a hygrometer and a thermometer. These instruments have been available as an accessory to Solaris yachts since the announcement of the partnership earlier this year.
“It was an exceptional project in every respect, and we are all very proud of the result,” explains Fabrizio de Falco, Product Manager at Solaris Yachts. "In an extraordinary and tangible way, this yacht embodies the passion for craftsmanship and design that is lived every day both at Solaris Yachts and IWC."
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