IWC Schaffhausen introduced the first Portugieser Chronograph Rattrapante (Ref. 3712) in 1995. The combination of the sporty double chronograph complication for simultaneously measuring two short periods of time and the elegant design of the Portugieser was a pioneering achievement. The model was last launched in 2006 and today IWC unveils three special limited-edition versions of this classic in honour of IWC boutiques in three European cities.
The Portugieser Chronograph Rattrapante Edition “Boutique Milano” (Ref. IW371215), with a red gold case and blue dial, is limited to 100 pieces. Featuring a telemeterscale on the flange and a tachymeter scale on the inner circle of the dial, it is secured to the wrist by a hand-finished black alligator leather strap.
250 watches are being launched in the Edition “Boutique Rue de la Paix” (Ref. IW371216), with a stainless-steel case, slate-coloured dial and black alligator leather strap, and in the Edition “Boutique Munich” (Ref. IW371217), with a stainless-steel case, blue dial and blue alligator leather strap.
The display on these models is based on the original design of the Portugieser Chronograph Rattrapante from 1995. The engravings on the back of the watches show icons or landmarks from the respective cities. All three timepieces are driven by a hand-wound 76240-calibre movement. Offering a power reserve of 44 hours, it beats at 28,800 A/h and powers the stopwatch function with minutes and seconds, small hackingseconds and split-seconds hand for intermediate timing.
In addition to the capabilities of a pure chronograph, the double chronograph also features a split-seconds mechanism. On starting the chronograph, two centrally rotating stopwatch hands – mounted one above the other – are set in motion. An additional push-button at “10 o’clock” is used to stop the upper hand, while the lower hand continues to move until the regular stop button at “2 o’clock” is pushed. This enables two short periods of time to be measured simultaneously.
The Portugieser Chronograph Rattrapante Edition “Boutique Milano” is now available in the IWC boutique Milan. The Edition “Boutique Rue de la Paix” will be available from December 2016 in the IWC boutique Rue de la Paix in Paris, and the Edition “Boutique Munich” is expected to be available from spring 2017 in the IWC boutique Munich.
Watch enthusiasts can already register their interest in purchasing the watch via the IWC Concierge Service (concierge.europe@iwc.com).
