SIHH 2010: IWC Portuguese Perpetual Calendar (Ref. IW5023)

The Swiss brand has once again updated its gorgeous IWC Portuguese Perpetual Calendar range extending the line with three extra model and two choices of metal. Besides the version in platinum (Ref. IW502305,) you can now get it in red gold (Ref. IW502306) and white gold (Ref. IW502307,) too.

The most appealing to yours truly is the model ref. IW502307 with its traditional moon phase display and a perfect combination of blue dial and white gold case reminding of a blue flame that was instantly frozen, cut into circular pieces and gently cased to serve as an ideal background for the hands, Arabic numerals and indices crafted from white gold.

Powered by the same Calibre 51613 automatic movement as the earlier iterations of the model, the IWC Portuguese Perpetual Calendar Ref. IW5023 features the same complex functionality perfectly displaying current day, date, day of week, month, four digit year and moon phase.

The only disadvantage of this movement is that it will need date correction on February 28, 2100, but that is hardly a problem, unless you plan to live for another 90 years.

Like many other recent watches from the Swiss watchmaker, the new IWC Portuguese Perpetual Calendar somehow manages to present lots of data in an unobtrusive, easy to grasp manner.

Featuring only four sub-dials and one indicator, the face of the watch additionally displays small seconds and a 7 Days power reserve gauges. As you can gather from the images, the former shares the same sub-dial with “months” indicator and the latter stays on the same territory with the date display.

As long as you will get used to it (which you will in about ten seconds after putting the timekeeper on your wrist,) the watch will give you absolutely no problem reading it with just a brief single glance.

The watch is presented in a rather large body, which is more than 44 mm in diameter and 15.50 millimeters thick. Compared to the previous version of the watch, its case grew about 2 millimeters in diameter getting to look more proportioned, but requiring more real estate on your wrist.

Photos: IWC

IWC Portuguese Perpetual Calendar Ref. IW5023 watch specification

Price range: N/A
Movement: Caliber 51613, automatic (Pellaton winding system), 62 jewels, 21,600 vph
Complications: Day, date, day of week, month, four digit year, moon phase.
Power reserve: 7 days (168 hours)
Case material: Red gold or White gold
Bezel material: Red gold or White gold
Case shape: Round
Transparent case back: Yes, sapphire glass
Case size: 44.2 mm
Case height: 14.0 mm
Dial: Blue
Hands: White gold
Strap: Dark brown alligator leather strap, folding clasp in 18 ct red gold
Crystal: Sapphire