IWC Portuguese Hand Wound is a true vintage collection watch with unique features. Read our guide below for more facts and information on these classic watches…
Discover the magnificent watches by IWC, the symbolic Portuguese watches mechanized by manual-wind movement. IWC has celebrated the year 2010 as the “Year of the Portuguese” and the manufacturers of IWC Portuguese Hand Wound have specially launched two models to their valuable fans. The watch is clearly a masterpiece and can be called one of IWC’s greatest accomplishments in the 20th century. The Vintage collection is an ode to the original that was launched in the year 1939.
IWC, the Company
Fernão Pires de Andrade, a Portuguese explorer, started trading in 1517 on the Pearl River near the coast of South China and built up an empire that continues to fascinate generations to date. IWC inaugurated their flagship boutique at the same place which is today known as Kowloon, Hong Kong.
Their stylish and exquisite Portuguese watch collection is dedicated to explorers, men-in-action and mariners like Fernão Pires de Andrade. The flagship store reflects the magnificent history of the place in its architecture and interiors. This majestic building has also had the honor of serving as the Marine Police Headquarters for the British Crown Colony.
Specifications of IWC Portuguese Hand Wound
Each model of IWC Portuguese Hand Wound is 44 mm in size and comes in a stainless steel or platinum case. The models have the original pocket watch movement similar to the wristwatch with pocket-watch movement that was launched around 70 years back.
One of the models has a black dial with Arabic numerals (rhodium-plated), feuille hands, silver-plated seconds dial that features a unique signal red “60”. The other model is also similar in basic characteristics but has a silver-plated dial and the indices are rose-gold plated. In this model, the hands stand out and the seconds dial is light grayish in color with a unique signal red “60” in the seconds dial but smaller in size.
Both the models have an easily legible feuille minute and hour hands. The watches are Caliber 98295 and hand-wound. They have a round shaped case and a transparent sapphire glass case back. The advantage of using a sapphire glass is that it is scratch resistant. The straps available are in leather, pin-buckle with stainless steel and black alligator. The balance wheel frequency of the watch is 18,800 vph. They have a slim 10mm thick engine in each watch.
Another unique feature of this watch is its Breguet balance spring that is highly appreciated by connoisseurs as it is an exceptional feature that was present only in traditional watch-making. It has a power reserve of 46 hours. This model was launched to celebrate the 140th anniversary of IWC and has been released in an exclusive series of 500.
