Enter the Dragon: IWC Schaffhausen Showcases a New Portugieser Chronograph Variant

The dragon is one of the 12 animal signs in the Chinese lunar calendar, traditionally used in China and other East Asian countries. People born in the Year of the Dragon are believed to be confident, ambitious, charismatic, and passionate. The Chinese zodiac operates on the basis of a 12-year cycle, with each year corresponding to a specific animal sign. Therefore, the Year of the Dragon comes once every 12 years. To mark the Year of the Dragon, IWC has unveiled the new Portugieser Chronograph (Ref. IW371629), a 1000-piece limited-edition timepiece with a striking burgundy dial. 

Ever since the collection was launched in 1998, different variations of the Portugieser Chronograph have been launched over the years. This particular IWC creation is known for its timeless nautical look, sleek lines, and the minimal bezel surrounding an oversized dial. In other words, the design is clean, simple, and casual. The new Portugieser Chronograph Year of the Dragon watch is essentially based on the Portugieser Automatic 40 Edition that was released in 2022, honouring the Year of the Rabbit. 

Watches with burgundy dials make a unique style statement. Burgundy is a rich and sophisticated colour that can add a touch of elegance to a timepiece. The colour may be featured in different materials, such as enamel, sunburst finishes or textured patterns, lending a dial a unique and visually appealing look. The new IWC timepiece comes with a 41 mm stainless steel case, lugs, two chronograph pushers at 2 o’clock and 4 o’clock that start and restart the mechanism, and a crown at 3 o’clock.

The watch boasts an impressive burgundy dial and subdials at 12 o’clock for 30 minutes and at 6 o’clock for 60 seconds with gold-plated hands. Gold plating is also found on the 60-minute track on the outer periphery of the dial, Arabic hour markers, the engraving of “Chronograph Automatic”, IWC Schaffhausen labelling at 9 o’clock and 3 o’clock, central second hands, and the hour and minute hands. 

The chronograph is powered by the IWC-manufactured 69355 Calibre, offering a 46-hour power reserve. Turning the watch over showcases the transparent sapphire caseback with a gold-plated rotor in the form of a dragon. The caseback also features an engraving of “2024 YEAR OF THE DRAGON”, along with the individual watch number out of 1000. The watch is delivered with two straps: a black calfskin strap and a burgundy rubber strap with a butterfly clasp.