IWC Portugieser Hand-Wound Monopusher Edition “Laureus Sport for Good”
Once again IWC Schaffhausen delivers a stunning blue dialed watch to celebrate the “Laureus Sport For Good” foundation. This is the 14th Laureus special edition and also the first Portugieser to be released with a monopusher chronograph.
The 46mm case is made of stainless-steel with a solid case back. As is tradition the flip-side has been engraved with the winning entry from the drawing competition that IWC organizes each year, within the worldwide Laureus project. This years winner was 15-year Yi Xin, who takes part in the “Special Olympics China.”
It comes equipped with the functional monopusher chronograph that can be started, stopped and reset via a single push-button in the crown. This is the main novelty in the 2020 release.
The overall design of this timepiece with its ergonomically optimized lugs ensuring a greater comfort on slimmer wrists, proudly manages to retain the classic appeal of the legendary original Portugieser, first manufactured back in the 1930’s. All topped by a sapphire arched-edge crystal with an antireflective coating on both sides. Water-resistance on this watch can reach up to 30 meters (98 feet).
Time is exhibited on the (by now) typical Laureus blue dial with applied stainless-steel Arabic numerals, followed by the characteristic Portugieser white railroad motif minute scale, circling around the periphery of the dial. While keeping current time in check are a pair of central slim feuille hands, also made of shiny steel.
It includes two sub-dials: a small seconds located at 6 o’clock and a 60-minute counter positioned at 12 o’clock, which can display the stop-times set in motion by the chronograph function.
Meanwhile the remaining power reserve can be read using an 8-day indicator, aligned with the 9 o’clock spot. A small red highlight serves as a reminder to wind-up. There is also a date aperture at 3 o’clock.
IWC Portugieser Hand-Wound Monopusher “Laureus Sport for Good”
The “IWC Portugieser Hand-Wound Monopusher “Laureus Sport for Good” Edition” (Ref#: IW515301) is powered by the in-house hand-wound mechanical movement, caliber 59360 with 36 jewels and 28,800 Vph. It comes equipped with a rocking pinion to engage the seconds wheel in the base movement, instead of the vertical clutch; plus a sautoir which allows the chronograph hands to jump instantaneously rather than advance continually with the seconds hand. Power reserve on this movement can reach up to 192 hours (8 days), when fully wound.
Mounted to the watch is a black alligator strap by Santoni, secured to the wrist by a steel buckle. This is a limited edition of only 500 manufactured pieces. The watch will become available starting on July 2020. For more up to date information visit the official IWC Schaffhausen website here.
