No other complication expresses IWC’s values quite as eloquently as the perpetual calendar developed by legendary watchmaker Kurt Klaus in the 1980s. This year IWC is unveiling four new references featuring its iconic Perpetual Calendar complication – three Portugieser Perpetual Calendar 42 (Ref. 3442) models (one being a ‘Boutique Edition’) and a 44.2mm ‘Boutique Edition’ formally known as the Portugieser Perpetual Calendar 44 Ref. IW503312. Adventurous or conservative, young or old, there’s something for every purist. Let’s get to it!
Portugieser Perpetual Calendar 42
For the Portugieser Perpetual Calendar 42 (Ref. 3442), IWC has integrated its iconic complication for the first time with an in-house movement from the 82000-calibre family. The IWC-manufactured 82650 calibre which can also be admired through the transparent sapphire glass back, powers the calendar module with a single impulse during the night. The automatic Pellaton winding is equipped with zirconium oxide ceramic components and builds up a power reserve of 60 hours.
Hours and minutes are displayed centrally, while the displays for the date, month and day of the week are distributed over three subdials at 3 o’clock, 6 o’clock and 9 o’clock. The main highlight of the dial is, of course, the perpetual moon phase display at 6 o’clock. This has been integrated into the month display and deviates from the actual orbit of the moon by only one day after 577.5 years. An indicator in the weekday display counts the years until the next leap year. Usually, perpetual calendars have a visually heavy appearance, given the level of indications that need to be displayed. However, this timepiece takes on the task effortlessly. To complete the look, the watches are worn on an alligator leather strap by Santoni.
Ref. IW344203 | Recommended Retail Price: $31,900 Australia Dollars
Stainless steel case, silver-plated dial, gold-plated hands and appliques, black alligator leather strap by Santoni.
Ref. IW344202 | Recommended Retail Price: $45,800 Australian Dollars
18-carat 5N gold case, silver-plated dial, gold-plated hands, 18-carat gold appliques, brown alligator leather strap by Santoni.
Ref. IW344205 ‘Boutique Edition’ | Recommended Retail Price: $45,800 Australian Dollars
18-carat 5N gold case, blue dial, gold-plated hands, 18-carat gold appliques, blue alligator leather strap by Santoni.
Portugieser Perpetual Calendar 44 Ref. IW503312 ‘Boutique Edition’
Presented in an 18-carat Armor Gold® case, the Maritime-inspired Portugieser Perpetual Calendar 44 Ref. IW503312 ‘Boutique Edition’ like the name suggests measures 44.2mm in diameter. 18 ct Armor Gold®, an IWC invention, is a type of gold that is significantly harder and five to ten times as wear-resistant as conventional 5N gold. The material is produced using a sophisticated process, during which the microstructure of the alloy is transformed.
Despite its large size the Portugieser Perpetual Calendar 44 Ref. IW503312 sits very comfortably on the wrist. The blue dial, looks sensational and makes the gold-plated hands and 18-carat gold appliques really pop. Of course, this timepiece has a stellar perpetual calendar, displayed on the four sub-dial’s along with a moon phase indicator. In addition to the displays
for the date, day, month and moon phase, there’s also a four-digit year display, a small seconds and a power reserve display at. Turning the watch over reveals the IWC-manufactured 52610 calibre, which features a bidirectional Pellaton winding system fitted with components made of virtually wear-free zirconium oxide ceramic. Two barrels build up a power reserve of seven days. The finishing of the movement in just spectacular – Understated, without being too over the top – Just the way IWC likes it. Fitted with a blue alligator leather strap by Santoni, this timepiece is water resistant to 3 Bar.
Ref. IW503312 ‘Boutique Edition’ | Recommended Retail Price: $52,300 Australian Dollars
