IWC Portugieser Chronograph with Caliber 69355
At the start of 2019 IWC introduced a 150-year anniversary edition of their “Portugieser Chronograph” as a limited-edition. Now they’ve followed it up in 2020 with some extra dial options in a non-limited, current production series. There are other nuances we’ll extrapolate on below, but its core main novelty is a caliber swap: from the previous use of 89000 series to the now 69000 series of chronograph movements. If that hasn’t peeked your interest yet, these new editions will also sell at a lower price.
In terms of casing these models are available in stainless-steel or an18k 5N red gold with a diameter of 41mm. Unlike there previous solid case back releases, in 2020 they’ve been give a sapphire exhibition case back that allows to view the inner workings of the swapped caliber movements.
It comes equipped with two pump-style push-pieces to operate the chronograph functions, plus a setting-crown in between them. All topped by a sapphire convex crystal with an anti-reflective coating on both sides, which also assists with water-resistance on these watches reaching up to 30 meters (98 feet).
Time can be exhibited on either a blue (just like the previous limited edition anniversary)
or silver white dial with stainless-steel lacquered numerals (unlike the applied numerals featured on the limited 2019 releases) embossed Arabic numerals and a ring of smaller minute index markers circling the dial with Arabic numerals for every five minute increment.
There are two recessed sub-dials: a sub-seconds at the 6 o’clock position and a 30-minute counter at the 12 o’clock position.
Except for the 18k 5N red gold models, which consist of a slate colored dial option with black sub-dials;
plus another silver dial that varies from the steel version by using gold for its central hands, numerals and having slightly grayed sub-dials.
They all come equipped with perfectly proportioned feuille central hands that integrated harmoniously with all the other elements, in order to facilitate legibility and include an encircling precision scale.
IWC Portugieser Chronograph with Caliber 69355
These “IWC Portugieser Chronograph” (Reference series#: IW3716) are all powered by the aforementioned in-house self-winding mechanical movement, caliber 69355 with 27 jewels, 194 components and 28,800 Vph. Unlike the 2018 Portugieser “150 Years” model, this model has excluded the hour totalizer and date aperture from the caliber movement. Power reserve can last up to 46 hours, when fully wound.
Mounted to these watches is either a black or blue alligator scaled leather strap, all secured to the wrist by a deployment clasp matching the case alloy of each version.
All these models are current production, except for the steel blue dial edition, which is limited to 2000 manufactured pieces.
For more up to date information visit the official IWC Schaffhausen website here and scroll thru its available variations.
MSRP: $7,959 iN Steel & $17,800 iN Gold
