The Journal
EXPLORING “A TRIBUTE TO ETERNITY” AT WATCHES AND WONDERS GENEVA
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A GLIMPSE INTO THE IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN BOOTH AT WATCHES AND WONDERS 2024 AS TOLD BY THE PORTUGIESER AUTOMATIC 42 (REF. IW501708) WITH AN 18-CARAT WHITE GOLD CASE AND HORIZON BLUE DIAL
I am the Portugieser Automatic 42, a timeless guardian of moments. Like Janus, the Roman god of transitions, I stand at the threshold of time. One of my faces gazes into the past, cherishing the timeless traditions of watchmaking. The other looks toward the future, embracing innovation and precision. Join me at Watches and Wonders Geneva for a tour of IWC’s booth named “A Tribute to Eternity” – a space where time itself becomes timeless.
More than just a booth, it’s a journey through time and space.
CRAFTSMANSHIP OF THE HIGHEST CALIBER
Before we go in, allow me to introduce myself. As the Portugieser Automatic 42 with a Horizon blue dial, IWC has refined my timeless elegance to new heights. My carefully reworked case boasts a slender side profile, enhancing my visual lightness and elegance. Double box-glass sapphire crystals offer unparalleled views of my dial and the IWC-manufactured caliber 52011 movement.
Particularly noteworthy is the craftsmanship behind my Horizon blue dial. Crafted using a complex process and layered with 15 coats of transparent lacquer, my dial achieves stunning optical depth. Milled subdials and meticulously applied printing enhance the three-dimensional effect, while hand-mounted appliques add a final touch of artistry. As Reference IW501708, I am a modern instrument dress watch. And with an 18-carat white gold case and gradient blue calfskin strap by Santoni, my design stays true to the original Portugieser aesthetic.
But enough about me!
— The Portugieser Automatic 42 Ref. IW501708 with Horizon blue dial and calfskin strap from Santoni
— The Portugieser Automatic 42 Ref. IW501705 with the dial color Dune, representing the late afternoon
A NEW COLOR CODE SETS THE TIME OF DAY
IWC wouldn’t be IWC if it didn’t take its booth experience up a notch. So, let’s step inside. You are instantly immersed in one of four signature colors representing different times of day: “Silver Moon” for early mornings, my own “Horizon Blue” for bright afternoons, “Dune” for the late afternoon golden hours, and “Obsidian” for twilight. Alongside this visual spectacle, there are treats to delight the mind and the ears. You can hear British physicist Brian Cox offering insights into the fascinating world of astrophysics and asking the question: what is eternity?
But it doesn’t stop there. While you’re on this journey through time, space, and philosophy, the ambiance is further enhanced by an exclusive Hans Zimmer score divided into four themes representing the times of day. Each color and musical theme set its own mood. Be sure to visit the booth at different times of the day to experience them all.
Portugieser Eternal Calendar IW505701 with moon phase accuracy of 45 million years
(1/5)
Portugieser Chronograph IW371626 with a Horizon Blue dial and 18-carat white gold case
(2/5)
Portugieser Perpetual Calendar 44 IW503704 with a Dune dial, 18-carat white gold case and gold appliques
(3/5)
Portugieser Hand-Wound Tourbillon Day & Night IW545901 with an Obsidian lacquered dial, and day & night display
(4/5)
Portugieser Perpetual Calendar 44 IW503701 with 18-carat 5N Armor Gold® case, silver-plated dial, gold-plated hands and gold appliques
(5/5)
TIMELESSNESS IS A STATE OF MIND
While contemplating space, time, and our place in the universe, take a look around. You’ll notice how inviting and roomy the booth is, much like my own airy design. Inspired by the Classic modernist movement, the booth’s layout is reminiscent of the IWC Manufakturzentrum: open and transparent. Floating above the illusion of water, the booth’s epicenter is a tribute to our Schaffhausen roots and the Rhine River.
As you ascend the stairs, a table showcases this year’s novelties, including me, the Portugieser Automatic 42. My companions are also there displayed according to their color-coded dials: the other five Portugieser Automatic 42 models featuring a new color scheme, the Portugieser Automatic 40, the Portugieser Perpetual Calendar 44, all boasting a slimmer case construction, the Portugieser Chronograph, the Portugieser Hand-Wound Tourbillon with a globe-shaped day and night indication, and last but not least, this year’s hero timepiece: the Eternal Calendar, IWC’s first secular perpetual calendar with moon phase accuracy of 45 million years.
— With “A Tribute to Eternity”, IWC honors its roots in Schaffhausen and the Rhine River
— The Perpetual Studio is IWC’s vision of how we define the future of fine watchmaking
THE IWC PERPETUAL STUDIO
At the heart of the booth lies the IWC Perpetual Studio, a hub of high watchmaking expertise. Watchmakers hover around, ready to field questions about the world of haute horlogerie. One watchmaker wears the IWC Cyberloupe offering a glimpse into the intricate inner workings of mechanical watches. The display table also traces the evolution from IWC’s 1980s Perpetual Calendar to the Eternal Calendar with its remarkable 400-year gear and moon phase accuracy of one day per 45 million years. A tremendous achievement, don’t you agree?
When you exit the booth, you may see the world anew. Embrace the harmony between fleeting time and eternal essence. We Portugiesers stand by your side as a reminder of the eternal allure of horology. And with a nod to Janus, we symbolize the timeless fusion of tradition and innovation.
