IWC

The origin of the IWC Portuguese dates back to the end of the 1930s when two Portuguese businessmen - Rodrigues and Teixeira - operating in the watch industry visited the IWC factory proposing the development of a large stainless steel wristwatch housing a movement that could match the precision of a marine chronometer, with perfect readability and the highest possible precision. It was deemed that the only way of meeting their request was with a pocket watch movement. 

The current watch, bearing the low number 012/500 of reference IW5449-01, carries on this tradition form the 1930’s with a pocket watch style manual winding movement calibre 98950, with 402 components and 51 jewels, massive bridges, oversized balance wheel, longer mainspring beating at a leisurely 18,000 vibrations per hour, and with the addition of a minute repeating module beneath the dial.

The impressively executed platinum case with repeating slide located at 9 is 44mm in diameter and 14mm depth, however the flowing curved lugs make it incredibly comfortable on the wrist. The finish is a mix of satin and high polish with the pronounced boxed sapphire crystal sitting high over the polished concave bezel.

This impressive piece of horology is offered in superb condition, having been serviced in 2021 and still bearing its service sticker on the case back.