IWC Schaffhausen’s perpetual calendar was originally developed during the 1980s by former head-watchmaker Kurt Klaus. In 2003, the legendary complication was presented in the Portugieser collection for the first time. Since then, the Portugieser Perpetual Calendar has been a major pillar of the collection.
ABOUT THE WATCH
Portugieser Perpetual Calendar 44
This version features a polished 18-carat Armor Gold® case with a diameter of 44.4 millimeters, an Obsidian dial, gold-plated hands and gold appliques. The watch appears particularly elegant and refined thanks to improved case construction with a thinner casing ring and double-box glass sapphire crystals. A particular highlight is the intricately crafted dial, which is manufactured in a complex process comprising 60 individual steps. The unusual optical depth is created by applying 15 layers of transparent lacquer, which is fine-ground and then polished to a high gloss finish. The perpetual calendar automatically recognizes the different lengths of the months and adds a leap day every four years at the end of February. All its displays are perfectly synchronized with each other and can be advanced easily via a single crown. The IWC-typical Double MoonTM display shows the moon as it can be seen from the Northern and Southern hemispheres. Thanks to a special reduction gear, the indication will only deviate from the moon’s actual orbit by one day after 577.5 years. The Portugieser Perpetual Calendar is powered by the IWC-manufactured 52616 caliber movement, which is assembled from 386 individual parts. The automatic Pellaton winding system features components made of virtually wear-free zirconium oxide ceramic, while the oscillating mass is made of solid gold. Converting the movements on the wearer’s arm efficiently into energy for the mainspring, it reliably builds up a power reserve of 7 days in two barrels. The watch is fitted with a black alligator leather strap from Santoni with an 18-carat Armor Gold® folding clasp.
Perpetual calendar | IWC Schaffhausen
In the early 1980s, IWC’s head-watchmaker Kurt Klaus set out on an engineering journey to translate the Gregorian calendar with its many irregularities into a mechanical program for a wristwatch. His ingenious perpetual calendar, which debuted in the Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar in 1985, comprises only about 80 parts and displays the date, day, month, year in four digits, and the moon phase. The smart mechanical program automatically recognises the different length of the months, and even adds a leap day at the end of February every four years. The moon phase display is so precise that it will deviate from the actual phase of the moon by just one day after 577.5 years. All displays are perfectly synchronised and can be adjusted simply by turning the crown. Some models come with an additional century slide, so the watch can continue showing the date until 2499. The calendar only needs a small adjustment in those centurial years that skip the leap year, which is the case in 2100, 2200, and 2300. Some versions of the calendar feature a double moon phase display, showing the moon phase on the northern and southern hemispheres.
Features
Case
Movement
Packaging
Small hacking seconds
Pellaton automatic winding
Power reserve display
Perpetual calendar with displays for the date, day, month, year in four digits and perpetual moon phase
7 days power reserve
Rotor in 18-carat 5N gold
Double box-glass sapphire crystals, antireflective coating on both sides
Case
18 ct Armor Gold®
Case
Diameter
44.4
mm
Height
14.9
mm
Back case
See-through sapphire glass back
Water resistance
5.0
bar
Calibre
52616
Calibre
Movement type
Automatic winding,
IWC-manufactured movement
