Created more than 70 years ago, the Portuguese Collection is a firm favourite amongst watch lovers, who appreciate its sheer size, precision and complex mechanics.
The tradition behind the IWC Portuguese family, created more than 70 years ago, stretches back to the precision nautical instruments once used by navigators to discover the world. Over half a millennium later, in the late 1930s, two Portuguese businessmen working in the watch sector visited the Schaffhausen factory and commissioned wrist watches to match the accuracy of a marine chronometer. The first Portuguese, in 1939, came fitted with a pocket watch movement.
The new Portuguese Chronograph Classic (Ref. 3904) brings exceptional elegance and classically inspired design to this popular collection, though the redesigned watch has a surprisingly independent look. The Chronograph preserves the identity and cultural heritage of the 1930s legendary originals.
The timepiece displays appliquéd Arabic numerals, a railway-track-style chapter ring and slender feuille hands. An arched-edge front glass makes this slim beauty's 42-millimetre diameter seem smaller than it is. The traditional type of glass used admirably sets off the language of form, lending a well-balanced and classical impression.
The IWC-manufactured 89361 calibre, was developed specifically to record time spans of up to 12 hours on a subdial and the result is as bold and easy to read as a clock face. The sapphire-glass back reveals the 89361 calibre and the rotor, resplendent in Geneva stripes.
The Portuguese Chronograph Classic is available in 18-carat red gold or stainless steel, both with silver-plated or slate-coloured dial.
It is fitted with superb leather straps from the House of Santoni, an Italian family-owned firm that specializes in nuanced dyeing of leather. Santoni's elegant leather products epitomize masterly craftsmanship and the highest quality.
Portuguese Chronograph Classic
RÉF. IW390402 · IW390403 · IW390404 · IW390405
Features
Mechanical chronograph movement – Self-winding – 68-hour power reserve when fully wound – Date display – Stopwatch function with hours, minutes and seconds – Hour and minute counters combined at 12 o'clock – Flyback function – Small hacking seconds – See-through sapphire-glass back
Movement
Calibre 89361
Frequency: 28,800 A/h / 4 Hz
Jewels: 38
Power reserve: 68 h
Winding automatic
Watch
Materials
Ref. IW390402: 18-carat red gold case with silver-plated dial, dark brown Santoni alligator leather strap, pin buckle in 18-carat red gold
Ref. IW390405: 18-carat red gold case with slate-coloured dial, black Santoni alligator leather strap, pin buckle in 18-carat red gold
Ref. IW390404: stainless-steel case with slate-coloured dial, black Santoni alligator leather strap, folding clasp in stainless steel
Ref. IW390403: stainless-steel case with silver-plated dial, black Santoni alligator leather strap, folding clasp in stainless steel
Glass
Sapphire, arched edge, antireflective coating on both sides
Back
See-through sapphire glass
Water-resistant: 3 bar
Diameter: 42 mm
Case height: 14.5 mm