New Release
India Whiskey Charlie introduces a captivating limited-edition IWC Portugieser Automatic 40, celebrating the Year of the Water Rabbit. This article delves into the aesthetic and mechanical details of this special timepiece, offering collectors a closer look at IWC's unique approach to cultural celebrations. India Whiskey Charlie's original post provides an excellent foundation for understanding the significance and design choices behind this release.
Schaffhausen/Shanghai, 1st November 2022: To celebrate the beginning of the Year of the Water Rabbit, IWC Schaffhausen introduces the Portugieser Automatic 40 Edition “Chinese New Year.” This classic and elegant Portugieser in an ergonomic 40-millimetre stainless steel case features a striking burgundy dial and gold-plated hands and appliques. A particular highlight is hidden on the back of the watch: the gold-plated oscillating weight of the automatic winding mechanism in the form of a rabbit.
In keeping with a revered tradition, IWC Schaffhausen welcomes the Chinese New Year with a limited edition. The Year of the Water Rabbit starts on 22nd January 2023 and will last until 9th February 2024. The rabbit is known as the luckiest of the twelve animals featured in the Chinese zodiac. People born under this zodiac sign are said to be calm, gentle and peaceful.
“We are thrilled to welcome the Chinese New Year with a special timepiece. The Portugieser Automatic 40 brings back the clean and crisp design of the first Portugieser from 1939, which was also a Rabbit Year. With its timelessly modern and classic design, this limited edition perfectly represents the calm and peacefulness we associate with this zodiac animal”, says Peter Lao, Managing Director of IWC Schaffhausen Mainland China.
The Portugieser Automatic 40 Edition “Chinese New Year” (Ref. IW358315) is limited to 500 pieces and features a 40-millimetre stainless steel case, a burgundy dial, and gold-plated hands and appliques. Burgundy is a charming variation of the bright red colour typically used to welcome the New Year in China. Red symbolises longevity, happiness, and success. It is also believed to bring good luck. A glance at the IWC-manufactured 82200 calibre through the transparent sapphire case back reveals the true highlight of this edition: the gold-plated rotor in the form of a rabbit. Efficiently converting the movements on the wearer’s arm into energy for the mainspring, the automatic Pellaton winding system builds up a power reserve of 60 hours. In addition, the case back ring displays the engraving “2023 YEAR OF THE RABBIT.” The Portugieser Automatic 40 Edition “Chinese New Year” is delivered with two calfskin straps: one in black, the other with a burgundy colour gradation.
The Portugieser Automatic 40 Edition “Chinese New Year” is available on IWC Tmall Flagship Store and IWC WeBoutique. It will also be available through IWC boutiques, selected retail partners, or online at IWC.com , as of January 2023. In addition, the timepiece is eligible for registration under the My IWC care program, benefitting from a 6-year extension to the standard 2-year International Limited Warranty.
Why not make the hands, applied numerals, and rotor solid gold like every other brand?
Lucky that IWC made also watches that are my way. As i am not a rabbit like H75, this tiger is green dial orientated and like a big second hand sweeping the dial clean.
of course. That is mister Ed. Turning a watch community into an astrologic community. Note: George Daniels was like me a tiger. Watch madness was the guild of my grand mother, sign pig. She gave me many watches, but her clock and the wish she like Cartier made me curious. Sadly she never owned a Cartier, but infected me. The push made a friend of my parents. I was inspecting his pocket watches, and he gave his children Swatches. I never forget that Breitling Navitimer of his son, while i was pla
Well it's your typical IWC theme of low-quality quality but still asking a unjustified premium. $8.7k for a time-only watch in steel because of a cartoon rabbit motif on the rotor.
Watch companies going for Chinese Zodiac marketing is just so low hanging fruit. I'm surprised that it actually works, especially in this day of age when people are more informed, grounded in science, and less superstitious than any other point in history. Oh. Wait. Maybe I'm overestimating mankind. And that rabbit on the rotor is such a design compromise!
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