IWC  Portugieser  Watches

IWC Portugieser: A True Classic

As the Swiss watch brand IWC Schaffhausen was passed down from one generation to the next, its iconic collection, the IWC Portugieser made bolder strides and introduced more features through the years. 

However, the collection does not forget its roots: the IWC Portugieser sports a classic dial with a leather strap. With its powerful calibres, the Portugieser pushes the boundaries of ‘classic’ even further. Today, you can get a Portugieser that can track the stars, the tides, and the days with no problem at all — it is a classic in its own right. 

Prices at a Glance: Most Popular IWC Portugieser Watches 

How much is an IWC Portugieser watch? 

Prices for the IWC Portugieser Automatic Models

First released in the 1930s, the IWC Portugieser Automatic watches are best known for their balanced dials and thin, flattering straps. Performance-wise, they are water-resistant and boast a seven-day power reserve. These watches come in two calibres: 52010 or 82200. The Automatic’s most popular models are the classic IWC Portugieser Automatic IW358303 and the IWC Portugieser Automatic IW358305. These both run on the reliable and long-lasting 82200 calibre. 

Prices for the IWC Portugieser Automatic timepieces range from $6,950 USD to $12,700 USD. One of its more popular offerings is the IWC Portugieser Automatic Silver Dial (IW500704). This piece runs on the 52010 calibre and has two subdials. It is also the largest size for an Automatic: 42.3mm.  

Prices for the IWC Portugieser Chronographs

Almost as large as the IWC Portugieser Automatic, the IWC Portugieser Chronograph line is another popular choice for watch enthusiasts. The pieces in this collection are more modern but just as adaptable as its automatic predecessors. 

For starters, these watches are characterized by their thin bezels and multifunctional dials. The IW390303, for example, has two subdials. These are positioned vertically as opposed to the IW500704’s horizontal dial placements. 

Through these methods, the IWC Portugieser Chronograph ensures precision and accuracy in timekeeping. Take note of time up to a quarter of a second, and use your stopwatch whenever and wherever you want to. 

Calibres under the IWC Portugieser Chronograph line run from 89361 to 69355. The classic IWC Portugieser Chronograph IW390303 runs on the former, which is best known for its flyback functions commonly used for digital timekeeping. Those interested in more sporty chronographs can look into the IWC Portugieser Chronograph IW3716-01, which is a special 150-year edition of IWC watches. This piece runs on the 69355 calibre, which is known for its robust and precise movements. 

The IWC Portugieser Chronograph pieces range from $6,500 USD to $10,000 USD. 

Prices for the IWC Portugieser Perpetual and Annual Calendar Series

The ultimate timekeeping pieces, the IWC Portugieser Annual Calendar range can display time in all forms. 

To begin, IWC Portugieser Annual watches are encased in stainless steel cases. They are also fashioned with sapphire glass and feature a see-through back. These watches are also precise and accurate, the result of being outfitted with the 52000 calibre family. Furthermore, they have the energy for a power reserve of up to seven days.

Aesthetically, these watches are best known for their three semicircular windows and for forgoing the 12 o’clock hour marker. A classic piece under this collection includes the IWC Portugieser Annual Calendar Automatic (IW503502), which sports IWC’s iconic blue dial. 

Watches under IWC’s Portugieser Annual Calendar collection have to be reset at the end of February each year. Prices for watches in this collection range from $15,800 USD to over $20,000 USD. 

Prices for the IWC Portugieser Perpetual Calendar Watches

Taking things up a notch is the IWC Portugieser Perpetual Calendar. Unlike the Annual Calendar, these pieces do not need resetting until 2500. Watches under this collection, like the popular IWC Portugieser Perpetual Calendar Automatic (IW503401), can automatically recognize leap years and other determinants of time. This even includes moon phases. 

Perpetual Calendar watches from IWC also run on powerful calibres like the 52610 and the Pellaton-winding 82650 calibre. These pieces have a power reserve of at least 60 hours, and its sizes can range from 42mm to 44mm. 

The Perpetual Calendar is a luxurious collection, coming encased in an 18K gold case, silver-plating, and gold-plating. Depending on the size and style of your Perpetual Watch, a piece can cost from $30,000 USD to over $50,000 USD. The IW503401 costs $30,200 USD. 

Prices for the IWC Portugieser Yacht Club Series 

At their core, the IWC Portugieser Yacht Club pieces run on the 89361 calibre. As mentioned above, this calibre is best known for its flyback function and high-performing power reserves. You can see this in action on the Yacht Club’s see-through back. 

Two of the most popular pieces of this collection are the IWC Portugieser Yacht Club IW390701 and the IWC Portugieser Yacht Club IW390503. The former has a stainless steel band, while the latter uses a rubber one. 

Both timepieces are encased in stainless steel and have the signature dial of a Portugieser piece. They also have polished steel hands and a luminous finish. IWC Portugieser Yacht Club watches have a rugged elegance to them and are priced at around $9,400 USD to $35,000 USD. 

Prices for the IWC Portugieser Grande Complication Range

This series is based on the IWC Portugieser’s Perpetual Calendar. Like the Perpetual Calendar, the IWC Portugieser Grande Complication displays the date, day, month, year, and moon phases on its dial. This watch also has a minute repeater and chronograph functions with hours, minutes, and seconds. 

Unlike the other calibres discussed so far, the Grande Complication runs on a 79091 calibre. Through its power, the Grande Complication can manage a total of 20 displays and functions. At the same time, this watch has a 44-hour power reserve. 

A product of IWC’s innovations thus far, the Portugieser Grande Complication runs on precision and harmony. It has over 650 mechanical parts and will accurately tell the time until the year 2500. 

As a limited-edition piece, the IWC Portugieser Grande Complication costs around $200,000 USD or more. There are only 250 of these in circulation. 

Prices for the IWC Portugieser Hand-Wound Watches

Another limited-edition Portugieser watch, the IWC Portugieser Hand-Wound Eight Days (IW510212) runs on the 59215 calibre. 

Like its name suggests, this piece’s calibre is hand-wound. The Portugieser Hand-Wound prides itself in needing its wearer to keep its time precise and accurate. This is a stark contrast from the Grande Complication, which does not need reprogramming for hundreds of years. 

As a hand-wound mechanical watch, you will have to wind this watch once every eight days. This watch is also known for its see-through sapphire-glass back, lacquered white dial, and 192-hour power reserve. 

There are only 1,000 of these watches in circulation. Its price ranges from $8,980 USD to over $10,000 USD. 

Prices for the IWC Portugieser Sidérale Scafusia Models

Innovation does not happen overnight. The IWC Portugieser Sidérale Scafusia, which took IWC Schaffhausen 10 years to develop, is proof of this. The classic IWC Portugieser is functional in itself, but IWC wanted to take it a step further. 

While the Sidérale Scafusia sports the classic dial of the Portugieser, this watch has a powerful tourbillon with a 96-hour power reserve. This watch’s complexity astounds many horologists today: it has three subdials and two ‘sides’. The first side — dubbed the ‘night sky disc’ — can find the same stars consistently. Conversely, the watch’s reverse side can track astronomical modules for you. 

Beyond these, the Sidérale Scafusia can also display sunrise and sunset times. Like the Grand Complication, this watch also uses the Perpetual Calendar settings. With a constant force tourbillon and astronomical capabilities, the Sidérale Scafusia is for horologists and astronomers. Understandably so, this watch costs a whopping $700,000 USD as there are only a few pieces made every year. 

New IWC Portugieser Models (2020) 

The IWC Portugieser line does not stop innovating its pieces. Examples of its most recent watches include the IWC Portugieser Perpetual Calendar 42 (IW344202) and IWC Portugieser Tourbillon Rétrograde Chronograph Boutique (IW394005). Both of these pieces have 18K cases and a diameter of around 43mm. These pieces also have automatic and self-winding calibres. 

The Portugieser Tourbillon Rétrograde Chronograph specifically prides itself in its flying hacking minute tourbillon and retrograde displays. There are only 50 pieces of its dark blue and gold edition in circulation. This timepiece is one of the minerally hardest of the Portugieser collection, as it is encased in Armor Gold. 

When it comes to simpler watches, the IWC Portugieser line also introduced the IWC Portugieser Automatic 40 (IW358304) in 2020. Compared to the other two watches mentioned, this has a smaller diameter (40.4mm) and a simple stainless steel case. This piece provides a more classic touch for the Portugieser line. 

History Behind the IWC Portugieser Collection

IWC has had many leaders in its centuries-long history. Its heritage traces back to Boston watchmaker Florentine Ariosto Jones, who began IWC in the late 1860s. Inspired by Swiss horology, Jones innovated with technology and alternate sources of power — particularly through water. 

Through this, he began selling his first line of pocket watches. These timepieces were successful and caught the eye of a Schaffhausen family, named the Rauschenbachs. This family, with a powerful hold on industrial technology, took the reins of IWC from Jones. From then on, the company has been passed down from one generation to the next. 

The IWC Portugieser emerged around the 1930s, under the leadership of Ernst Jakob Homberger. It is said that Portuguese importers requested large wristwatches with pocket-watch calibres. This led to the creation of the first Portugieser: Portugieser Reference 325. This piece used 74 and 98 calibres at the time. 

The next Portugieser watch was released in 1993 on IWC’s 125th anniversary. This time, the timepiece had a sapphire-glass caseback. While it was a limited-edition piece on first release, the glass back became a staple feature of the Portugieser ever since. This piece also used an exponentially better calibre: the 9828. 

The Portugieser’s youngest line of watches is the Sidérale Scafusia. Released in 2011, this line is among the world’s most exclusive and premium watches. Age-wise, this is preceded by the Yacht Club, the Perpetual Calendar, and then the Chronograph timepieces, respectively. 

3 Reasons to Buy a IWC Portugieser Watch

1. IWC Portugieser watches have high-performing calibres that are unique to the brand. 

2. Portugieser watches are a product of centuries-long technological innovations. You are getting the best value historically and technologically with the IWC Portugieser. 

3. The IWC Portugieser’s aesthetic can go from classic and opulent to bold and defiant, depending on your preferences. 

IWC Portugieser: Championing the Brand’s Enduring Legacy  

The IWC Portugieser tells the story of the IWC company and its intertwined values. With almost a century passing since its creation, these watches remain steadfast in its features, styles, and elegance.