The Volvo Ocean Race is back. From the start in Alicante in October 2014 to the final destination in Gothenburg in June 2015, seven teams will be battling for victory under the most extreme conditions. IWC Schaffhausen will be at the heart of the world’s toughest offshore race as Official Timekeeper for the second time, and celebrates the event with a special edition: the Portuguese Yacht Club Chronograph “Ocean Racer”, limited to 1,000 watches. IWC is also consolidating its partnership with the Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing team, which is taking part in the race for the second time, too.
This year’s round the-world race sees the first appearance of a one-design boat class: the Volvo Ocean 65, which measures over 20 metres in length. For the first time in more than 10 years, an all-female crew will be taking part, with crewmembers from all over the world. In the course of a trial of endurance lasting nine months, the teams will make nine stopovers and one pit-stop and cover a total of 38,739 nautical miles, or 71,745 kilometres.
Befitting the unique sporting challenge, the new Portuguese Yacht Club Chronograph “Ocean Racer” (Ref. IW390216) is a distinctly masculine sports watch. “We’re dedicating this watch to the teams’ sporting spirit and their commitment to extreme racing,” says Georges Kern.
The levels of precision which are on a par with those of nautical instruments are part of the genetic make-up of any member of the Portuguese family. This manifests itself not least in the large size of the case - 45.4 millimetres- and the IWC-manufactured 89361-calibre movement, featuring a flyback function and aggregate timing of up to 12 hours, shown by an analogue display with two hands in a subdial. This timepiece is water-resistant to 6 bar and is the only Portuguese model with crown protection as well as luminescent hands and indices.
In an allusion to extreme sailing, the 360-degree rotor is modelled on a ship’s wheel. The timepiece is supplied with a black rubber strap featuring an alligator leather inlay.
Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing puts to sea again
IWC Schaffhausen has renewed its commitment as official sponsor of the Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing team, which took part in the last race as the first Arab challenger in the history of the Volvo Ocean Race. Two-time Olympic silver medal winner Ian Walker is once more in charge at the helm.
