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IWC Portuguese Perpetual Calendar Limited Edition 2010
The ingenious is not necessarily simple. But it has to be simple to
operate. And the complicated, as embodied by the Portuguese Perpetual
Calendar Limited Edition 2010, cannot be allowed to sacrifice purity of
style to mere functionality. That, in essence, sums up a classical watch
from IWC that has been one of the world’s outstanding timepieces since
it was unveiled in 2003. Apart from the fact that it is now available in
rose gold with an elegant blue dial. An irresistible combination
destined for precisely one hundred fortunate owners.
From a watchmaking point of view, one could say it was a smaller version
of the exceptional complicated watches crafted in Schaffhausen. But
that would not entirely do justice to its technical sophistication. The
Portuguese Perpetual Calendar Limited Edition 2010, which first appeared
in the watchmaking firmament in 2003, not only features a perpetual
calendar that has represented the state of the art for 25 years. It also
boasts a perpetual moon phase display that replicates the course of
Earth’s satellite with almost absolute precision: only after 577 years,
and long after our time, will the minuscule deviation of 12 seconds per
lunar cycle add up to a difference of one whole day that will then
require correction. On the tiny stage below the “12”, where this
celestial theatre is enacted in classic form, it will be virtually
imperceptible. Nevertheless, we wanted to ensure that owners in the
far-distant future would continue to appreciate the precision of our
engineering.
The Portuguese Perpetual Calendar Limited Edition
2010 combines the extra-large IWC manufactured 51613 calibre, whose
Pellaton winding builds up a seven-day power reserve, with the
fascinating displays found in a superb calendar: date, weekday, month,
year in four digits and perpetual moon phase. These likewise require no
correction or adjustment on the part of the future owner until a leap
year in 2100. And even after this tiny correction, its programme and
displays are designed to go on performing for what seems like an
eternity: until the end of 2499. This “tour de force” is brought about
with the help of a replacement century slide, which is delivered with
the watch. If the owner fails to wear the watch for a few days and the
movement actually stops, the mechanically programmed calendar display
can be advanced swiftly and simply using the crown.
Over the
years, this singular time machine has regularly appeared in different
versions, with modifications to the case materials and colours of the
dial. For all that, the variant models have always adhered to the strict
– and unmistakable – style guidelines laid down by the original
Portuguese in 1939.
From the elegant feuille hands to the embossed
Arabic numerals. The Portuguese Perpetual Calendar Limited Edition 2010
in its rose gold case with blue dial dovetails seamlessly into this
historic legacy. In this particular combination it is outstandingly
elegant and limited to just 100 examples worldwide. It makes an already
exceptional watch, whose technical features could hardly be improved
upon, just a touch more desirable. The Portuguese Perpetual Calendar
Limited Edition 2010 in its 42.3 mm case, which contains some of the
oldest and ingeniously simplified watch complications of them all,
already stands for consummate perfection. The see-through sapphire-glass
back provides a revealing view of the mysterious workings of the
movement and its engrossing mechanics. The rotor bears the engraved
inscription ONE OUT OF 100 LTD. EDITION 2010.
Press Release
