Introducing IWC Celebrates the Year of the Dragon with a New Look for the Portugieser Chronograph

IWC Schaffhausen is nestled in the town of Schaffhausen in the northeastern region of Switzerland. Renowned for its exceptional timepieces, the brand boasts an extensive range of collections such as the Portugieser and the Big Pilots watches. Established in 1868 by the American watchmaker and engineer “Florentine Ariosto Jones”, IWC has etched its place in horological history with a distinctive engineering ethos. 

Since its inception in 1998, the Portugieser Chronograph has epitomized the sporty essence of IWC Schaffhausen's acclaimed Portugieser collection. Distinguished by a captivating dial layout featuring vertically arranged counters, this timepiece has solidified its status as one of IWC's most iconic designs. In celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year, IWC Schaffhausen introduces a special edition Portugieser Chronograph adorned with a Burgundy dial and embellished with gold-plated numbers, hands, and indices. 

The auspicious date of 10th February 2024 marks the commencement of the Year of the Wood Dragon, a rare occurrence in the Chinese calendar, happening only once every 12 years. According to Chinese culture, individuals born under the dragon sign are recognized for their energy, strength, confidence, intelligence, and generosity. 

Encased in stainless steel, the watch boasts a 41 mm diameter and a 13.1 mm thickness, featuring a sapphire crystal that not only shields the dial but also provides a captivating view of the movement thorough the case back. While these dimensions may be familiar within the diverse releases of the Portugieser collection, it is the distinct allure of the Burgundy dial, accentuated by gold-plated hands and appliques, that elevates this timepiece to an exceptional status. At 12 o’clock lies the 30 minute chronograph counter, while at 6 o’clock sits the small seconds subdial. The captivating shade of red “Burgundy”, carries a symbolic significance as it represents the vibrant hue of fire—a traditional color employed in China to usher in the Lunar New Year, symbolizing good fortune upon the wearer.  

Powering the watch is the IWC-manufactured 69355 caliber, a precise automatic chronograph movement with a classic column-wheel. This movement operates at 28,800 vph (4 Hz), and offers 46 hours of power reserve, with a dragon shaped gold-plated rotor. The watch comes with two straps, the first is a black calfskin strap and the other is a burgundy rubber strap, both with a butterfly clasp. This timepiece is limited to 1,000 pieces with a price of CHF 9,200 which is equivalent to AED 40,000.

For more information please visit IWC’s official website.