IWC Portuguese Chronograph Classic Ref. IW390402

IWC Portuguese Chronograph Classic. IWC has added two new watches to its classically and maritime inspired Portuguese line-up. One of the new models is the IWC Portuguese Chronograph Classic.

The new watch has a 42 mm case which available in either red gold or stainless steel. Both versions come with a choice of either a slate dial or a silver dial. The dial of the watch is rather clean, with a a single counter used to display elapsed minutes and hours chronograph at the 12 o'clock position. Two hands are utilized, one to display minutes and the other hours, which are designed to record elapsed times of up to 12-hours. Running seconds are displayed in a sub-dial at the 6 o'clock position. The date is displayed in a window at the 3 o'clock position.

The watch is presented with a choice of either a brown or black alligator skin bracelet.

IWC Calibre 89361. But the heart of this watch is the in-house built, Calibre 89361 self-winding  movement. From the early 1980’s until 2006, IWC  would modify  ETA and Valjoux movements four use in their watches. More and more each year, manufacturers of premium watches are moving to in-house movements, and the Calibre 89361 is part of a series of IWC in-house movements which will probably see all IWC watches carrying a built by IWC movement at some point in the near future.

The calibre 89361 is a impressive enough design. It runs at the expected 28,800 vibrations per hour which results in the near fluid motion of the second hand. It features a flyback function. This allows to stop, reset and start the chronograph with a single button press. The Calibre 89361 movement also has a long 68 hour power reserve.   

About IWC. IWC or the the "International Watch Co. Schaffhausen" was founded by an American engineer from Boston, Florentine Ariosto Jones, in Schaffhausen, Switzerland in the year 1868. IWC Schaffhausen is notable for being the only major Swiss watch factory located in eastern Switzerland, as the majority of the well-known Swiss watch manufacturers are located in western Switzerland.