IWC

Conceived almost 100 years ago in the 1930s at the request of two Portuguese merchants, the first Portugiesers were commissioned to be wristwatches with the precision of a marine chronometer. Known since its inception for its unusually large and striking size, simple Arabic numerals, and slim feuille hands, the first Portugieser was launched in 1939. Over the course of its production, this iconic design has housed various complications—from a simple date to a perpetual calendar.

The present Reference IW5042-02 houses one of the most coveted complications in watchmaking: the tourbillon. Invented by Abraham-Louis Breguet, the tourbillon was born from the pursuit of reducing friction in a watch’s movement. Breguet solved this by patenting a rotating cage that housed the balance wheel and escapement, allowing it to rotate freely and thus mitigate the effects of gravity on the watch. While extremely complex to produce, the result was not only visually stunning but also offered a modest improvement in timekeeping accuracy—though primarily when the watch was held in a fixed position. Ultimately, the tourbillon has become a symbol of watchmaking prowess, and this IWC is no exception.

Produced between 2006 and 2009, the present Portugieser Tourbillon Mystère is one of only 250 pieces made, making it a rare and highly sought-after timepiece for IWC collectors. The 44.2 mm 18k pink gold case, paired with its elegant silvered dial, gives it a timeless, classic appeal.

This watch will delight its wearer today just as it did upon its release nearly two decades ago.