SIHH 2010: IWC Portuguese Hand-Wound (Ref. IW5454)

IWC has once again extended its line of its iconic Portuguese watches powered by manual-wind movements.

Featuring the well-known Calibre 98295 engine inside its slim (only 10 millimeters thick!) stainless steel case, the IWC Portuguese Hand-Wound Ref. IW5454 features the characteristic seconds display sub-dial at 6 o’clock with a distinct “60″ printed in bright red.

Traditionally (the first IWC Portuguese model was built around a large pocket watch caliber,) the Portugueser will be available in an oversized, but slender-looking body.

According to the officially disseminated specs, the case of the watch will be whole 44 millimeters in diameter, but only ten millimeters thick, which makes it especially comfortable to wear even with a tight-cuffed shirt.

However, you should bear in mind that the watch (again, traditionally) possess rather long lugs, so, if you, in your own turn, possess rather thin wrist, this model may look a little funny on you. Yes, I have seen a number of skinny guys wearing similarly sized Portuguesers and they did look somewhat awkward with cases of their expensive timepieces almost overhanging their wrists.

The watch will be available in two color combinations. One (pictured) will feature a silver-plated dial combined with contrasting light gray seconds display and the other one will have its main dial in black and seconds sub-dial silver-plated.

Both versions will sport easily readable Arabic numerals (either Rhodium- or gold-plated) and a pair of easily recognizable feuille hour and minute hands.

Thanks to the signature black railway-style minute track, the watch makes it really easy to read time and sure hope that a version with an anthracite dial and white minute track (I hope, there will be one soon) is going to be even more legible.

Of course, some people may complain about the lack of lume on the hands and hour markers, but for such a dressy timekeeper it is not a bug, it’s a feature, you know.

Photos: IWC

IWC Portuguese Hand-Wound Ref. IW5454 watch specification

Price range: $8900
Movement: Caliber 98295, hand-wound, 18 jewels, 18,800 vph
Complications: N/A
Power reserve: 46 hours
Case material: Stainless steel
Bezel material: Stainless steel
Case shape: Round
Transparent case back: Yes, sapphire glass
Case size: 44 mm
Case height: 10.0 mm
Dial: Black and silver or Silver and gray (pictured)
Hands: Gold
Strap: Black alligator leather strap, pin buckle in stainless steel
Crystal: Sapphire