IWC Portugieser Automatic 42 mm (2024) Double Box-glass

Quick specs IWC Portugieser Automatic 42 mm Double Box-glass
Price:
starting at € 14.000 | CHF 12’500 | $ 13,500 | £ 11,500 (steel versions)
starting at € 27.000 | CHF 25’000 | $ 26,700 | £ 22,500 (gold version)
Size: 42.4 mm
Reference:
IW501701 (steel/silver)
IW501702 (steel/silver/blue hands)
IW501704 (steel/blue/bracelet)
IW501705 (steel/dune}
IW501707 (gold/black)
IW501708 (white gold/horizon blue)

The 2024 IWC Portugieser Automatic 42 mm Double Box-glass is another new version within the Portugieser series. Just like the new Automatic 40 mm it has a slimmer case, double box-glass, and reworked graphics for 2024. Plus, some new dial colors next to the ones we already know. And all in line with its progenitor, the IWC Reference 325 that was firstly introduced in 1939.

The design of the 42 mm model, which is actually 42.4 millimeters, differs a little from the original 325 and the new 40 mm, which is actually 40.4 millimeters. The small seconds are at the 9 o’clock position – at 6 on the 40 mm – and at 3 o’clock there is a power reserve indicator. At 6 o’clock there is a small date aperture. So, the lay-out is the same as the previous 42 mm models, firstly introduced in 2000 with Reference IW50001. The main changes are the double box-glass and the dials.

What is double box-glass on a watch?

Double box-glass on a watch is domed glass, mostly sapphire crystal, that has curved edges on both sides of the glass. So, it is not flat, but domed on the inside too. Compared to flat glass double domed glass or double box-glass offers a much clearer view on the dial as it reduces the light reflection. Although from extreme sharp angles it distorts the view a little. And the edges are a little blurred as the box-glass is higher than the bezel on the outside, due to its domed shape.

Not only the reflection of light is reduced, IWC treats the dials with no less than 15 layers of transparent lacquer. And then the dial is polished to a high gloss finish. The sub dials are milled into both the brass base and the lacquer layer for a three-dimensional effect also strengthened by the special depth-adding printing procedure. Lastly each applique is mounted by hand.

IWC Portugieser Automatic 42 mm Double Box-glass has a power reserve of 60 hours

Inside is the in-house automatic IWC caliber 52011 with improved escapement for more protection against magnetic fields. It has a Pellaton winding system, an old but efficient system with pawls instead of direct gearing between the rotor and barrel to make winding more efficient. Thanks to two barrels the power reserve is 168 hours, or seven days.

These six new references come gold, white gold, and stainless steel. The IWC Portugieser Automatic 42 mm Double Box-glass version with a gold case get a color matching alligator leather strap by Santoni with folding clasp. The stainless steel versions also come on a color matching alligator leather strap, however not from Santoni. The stainless steel / dark blue dial version comes on a stainless steel bracelet.