IWC Portugieser Automatic 42 Year of the Horse

In celebration of the Chinese zodiac’s Year of the Horse, IWC Schaffhausen has unveiled a new limited-edition timepiece within its revered Portugieser collection. Melding cultural symbolism with mechanical refinement, the Portugieser Automatic 42 “Year of the Horse” arrives in a stainless steel case with a burgundy dial, gold accents, and a seven-day movement. The equestrian theme is expressed with subtlety and precision, most notably through a galloping horse-shaped rotor, visible through the exhibition caseback. Limited to just 500 pieces, the watch offers a poetic fusion of tradition, craftsmanship, and restrained elegance.The Portugieser Automatic 42 “Year of the Horse” is housed in a stainless-steel case measuring 42.4mm in diameter and featuring a sleek, refined profile. Its polished surfaces are contrasted by brushed flanks, while the slightly domed bezel adds a quiet elegance. The case’s proportions are designed to maintain a sense of presence without overwhelming the wrist, offering both modernity and classic restraint.Turning the watch over reveals a screw-in sapphire display caseback that offers a generous view of the in-house IWC Calibre 52011. Most striking is the gold-plated rotor shaped like a galloping horse, a tribute to the Lunar New Year’s symbolic animal. The movement is neatly finished, with blued screws, Geneva stripes, and a clear sense of architectural balance that reflects the brand’s technical pedigree.The stainless-steel crown is signed with the IWC emblem and flanked by subtly contoured crown guards for seamless integration into the caseband. All topped by a domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides, the case ensures robust protection while maintaining legibility. Water-resistance can reach up to 30 meters (98 feet), suitable for daily wear though not intended for immersion.The burgundy dial immediately sets the tone, drawing on the auspicious red hues associated with Lunar New Year celebrations. Its surface presents a smooth, refined finish that enhances the richness of the color, while the classic Portugieser layout preserves the model’s distinctive balance. Small seconds sit at 9 o’clock, directly opposite the power‑reserve indicator at 3, maintaining the symmetrical signature that has defined the automatic Portugieser since 2000. A discreet date window at 6 o’clock completes the arrangement without disturbing the harmony of the design.Roman numerals and appliqué hour markers are rendered in gold, complementing the warmth of the dial and offering excellent contrast against the burgundy backdrop. The gold‑plated leaf‑shaped hour and minute hands sweep cleanly across the display, while the small seconds and power‑reserve indicators are executed with the same attention to proportionality that characterizes the collection. The typography is elegant yet reserved, reinforcing the Portugieser’s longstanding commitment to functional clarity. Finishing details elevate the dial further: subtle sunray nuances emerge under direct light, while the recessed subdials add depth and dimensionality. The gold printing is crisp, the tracks are finely executed, and the overall visual composition balances festive symbolism with mechanical refinement, resulting in a dial that feels celebratory without drifting into excess.

The “IWC Portugieser Automatic 42 Year of the Horse” (Ref#: IW501709) is powered by the in-house self-winding mechanical movement, caliber 52011 with 31 jewels, 249 components, and 28,800 Vph. This advanced automatic movement features the brand’s Pellaton winding system with ceramic components for enhanced durability, and it drives a small seconds subdial at 9 o’clock, a power reserve indicator at 3 o’clock, and a date window at 6 o’clock. A special gold-plated rotor shaped like a galloping horse is visible through the sapphire caseback, paying tribute to the Lunar New Year. Power reserve can last up to 168 hours (7 days), when fully wound.
Mounted on the watch is a black alligator leather strap with tone-on-tone stitching, secured by a stainless-steel folding clasp. It complements the elegance of the burgundy dial while offering a classic and versatile fit. An additional strap in matching burgundy leather is also included, allowing the wearer to switch between refined contrast and thematic coordination depending on the occasion.
This model is limited to 500 pieces worldwide and marks IWC’s latest tribute to the Lunar New Year tradition. For more up to date information visit the official IWC Schaffhausen website here.