New: IWC Portugieser Automatic 40 in burgundy dial for Chinese New Year of the Rabbit

IWC goes early to welcome the new Year of the Water Rabbit (22 Jan 2023) with a magnificent new Portugieser Automatic 40 with a burgundy dial, and Rabbit accents.

Press Release details with commentary in italics.

New: IWC Portugieser Automatic 40 Year of the Rabbit

Retail price for the new IWC Portugieser Automatic 40 REF. IW358315 is SGD 12,400 inclusive of GST. Limited Edition of 500 pieces.

Commentary

This is possibly the earliest release we have received to celebrate the new Year of the Water Rabbit. Chinese New Year falls on 22 January 2023, and while traditionally watch maisons release novelties to usher in the new year, this latest release from IWC is quite early. Already available on sale, the watch is available now from the IWC Tmall Flagship Store and IWC WeBoutique, but only from regular IWC retail outlets from January. The press release states Jan 2022, but we think it is a typo, and should read Jan 2023.

The watch is the 40mm Portugieser automatic in a new red dial with gold hands and appliques. The rotor is also customised with a rabbit motif.

The pricing of SGD 12.4k represents a SGD 1.4k premium over the regular Automatic Portugeiser 40mm which retails for SGD 11k. This is due to the special dial and rotor, a nod to the status of this reference being a 500 piece limited edition. The watch looks the part for a joyful celebration of the Chinese Year. As we say, Kong Xi Fa Cai – Congratulations for great prsperity!

Release details

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 2022. 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.

IWC Portugieser Automatic 40 Year of the Rabbit Specifications

REF. IW358315

Mechanical movement – Pellaton automatic winding system – Small hacking seconds – See-through sapphire glass back – Limited to 500 pieces

Movement

IWC manufactured caliber 82200, 28,800 bph, 31 jewels, 60 hour power reserve, automatic winding

Watch

Stainless steel case, burgundy dial, gold-plated hands and appliques, black calfskin strap, additional calfskin strap with burgundy colour gradation Sapphire, convex, antireflective coating on both sides, water resistant to 3 bar. Diameter of
40.4 mm, and case height of 12.4 mm