A highly original edition of IWC’s iconic Portugieser chronograph was awaiting discovery at Dubai Watch Week 2016. IWC Schaffhausen and its commercial partner Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons unveiled the first watch ever created by the Swiss brand with Eastern Arabic numerals on the dial. The watch’s scarcity – just 200 pieces will be produced – is not the only compelling reason to buy it; in fact, a percentage of the proceeds will be donated to the Al Jalila Foundation.
This charity was set up in 2013 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum, vice-president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates and Emir of Dubai, to fund a number of educational and research programmes in the Emirates, which include scholarships for healthcare professionals.
The Portugieser Chronograph Edition Seddiqi – Al Jalila Foundation Dubai (Ref. 371489) is now available exclusively from IWC’s brand new store in the Mall of the Emirates in Dubai. Its price is 34,800 Emirati Dirham (approximately CHF 9,400).
The back of the case is engraved with the seal of the Al Jalila Foundation. A brown alligator bracelet and midnight blue dial give the watch a sporty elegance. Within IWC’s institutional language, this particular shade of midnight blue is often used to identify a special project. For example, every year for the last ten years, the colour has featured in a series of 1,500 watches sold in honour of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation in Switzerland. The caseback of these special edition watches is engraved with the winning design from a children’s drawing competition.
