Baselworld/SIHH

Success goes from

strength to strength

Portuguese Chronograph

For more than ten years, it has been the most desirable timepiece in the Portuguese family, a classic automatic chronograph in its purest form. Two new models of the Portuguese Chronograph in warm red gold now extend the established range.

This was the first Portuguese watch on which the time could not only be read, but also measured. For the first time, its newly designed case was also water-resistant to 3 bar. More than ten years ago, it already combined sporting appeal and high suitability for everyday use with the timeless elegance of the Portuguese design, making it a true classic whose success has continued unbroken for years. Because good taste is universal, regardless of country and culture, and whether the watch displays the time to a male or female wearer. With its moderate case size of 40.9 millimetres, it is also readily accommodated on the female wrist.

The Portuguese Chronograph – probably the most successful watch in the more recent history of IWC – has already been produced in various case materials and with different dial variants. It is a thoroughly accurate timepiece: beneath its convex sapphire glass, with antireflective coating on both sides, steps as small as one-eighth of a second can be recorded on the circumferential precision scale for short measured times using the seconds stop hand. The chronograph as a useful supplementary function is harmoniously integrated into the clear dial. The 30-minute counter and the small seconds subdial on the dial are recessed in the classic manner, and the Arabic numerals are fashioned and attached as appliqués. Even the small details also contribute to the well-balanced overall result: the feuille hands for the hours and minutes, themselves distinguishing features of the Portuguese watch, correspond to the functional ideal in terms of their length: the slim minute hand ends not just anywhere, but precisely on the circle of minute dot markers. A chunky crown and the characteristic chronograph buttons round off the image of consummate proportionality.

Two new variants in red gold cases now bring an even warmer hue and additional aesthetic refinement to the Portuguese model range with the familiar reference 3714. The latter is particularly true of the variant with the slate-coloured dial, to which the deep black colour of the subdials for the 30-minute counter of the chronograph and the small seconds impart a subtle contrast. Its hands are red gold-plated, and the appliqués are crafted from solid red gold. This model variant has already been available since the autumn of 2009. The second new variant in 18 carat red gold has a bright silver-plated dial with solid red gold appliqués and red gold-plated hands. The blued hands for displaying the times measured by the chronograph permit rapid identification of the associated functions – perfection lies in the detail. Even in their new guise, both of the new models with their slight penchant for understatement remain unmistakeable classics.

Portuguese Chronograph

Ref. IW3714

Features

Mechanical chronograph with automatic winding, 30-minute counter and small hacking seconds

Movement

Calibre 79350

Beats 28,800/h

Jewels 31

Power reserve 44 h

Winding automatic

Case

Materials watch in 18 ct red gold with slate-coloured dial and black alligator leather strap, pin buckle in 18 ct red gold

watch in 18 ct red gold with silver-plated dial and dark brown alligator leather strap, pin buckle in 18 ct red gold

Glass sapphire, convex, antireflective coating on both sides

Water-resistant 3 bar

Diameter 40.9mm

Height 12.3mm