IWC Portugieser Hand-Wound Eight Days 75th Anniversary

Why We Love It

When considering the IWC Portugieser Hand-Wound Eight Days 75th Anniversary, the name really does say it all...

In 2015, IWC released the watch that we have here, the Reference 5102 Portuguieser made to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the original Portuguieser which debuted in 1939.

This watch comes in at the same size as the original too, at 43mm wide. At the time, the standard size of most mens watches was closer to 33mm or 34mm, so while this watch isn't exactly small now, it would have been absolutely massive 75 years ago!

This watch features a gorgeous matte black dial with printed Arabic quadrant numerals, a subsidiary seconds counter at the 6:00 position, and an exhibition caseback, displaying the IWC Calibre 59215 hand-cranking movement with a massive 8-day power reserve. 

With only 750 examples made in steel, this is an excellent opportunity to pick up a contemporary classic with its full kit, and one of IWC's best releases in recent years!

The IWC Portugieser Story

In the 1930s, the manufacture found its niche in robust, no-nonsense pilot’s watches such as the Spezialuhr für Flieger. However, IWC also launched a number of thoughtful and elegant watches in that decade, known by collectors now for the simplistic beauty of their movements. Many of them fell into the Portuguese line.

The Portuguese was so-called because two IWC clients from Portugal approached the manufacture with a somewhat daunting task: to produce a wristwatch that was just as accurate as a marine chronometer. In those days, the only way to ensure that degree of accuracy in a wristwatch would be to cannibalize a movement from a pocket watch and put it in a wristwatch case. The watches the resulted from such a union were large, a huge departure from the slim cases that typified wristwatches of the era.   

So that’s what IWC did, using a Hunter Calibre 74 pocket watch movement to create the first Portuguese in 1939. 

At 44mm, the first Portuguese was absolutely massive for the time, yet not without its elegance. Details such as feuille hands and embossed Arabic numerals made it resonate with the grandeur of the old pocket watches from which its movement was taken. Yet despite the esteem in which collectors hold them today, the Portuguese line was never that plentiful, with only 304 examples being produced with the Calibre 74, and only 371 examples with the Calibre 98 or Calibre 982 through the 1970s.   

However, in the 1990s, a chance visit by a customer—who wore an original Portuguese on his wrist—inspired IWC to revitalize the failing collection.

Our Pledge

Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a one-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.