I.W.C IWC Portuguese minute repeater

From navigation clock to acoustic precision

The Portugieser is one of IWC Schaffhausen's most traditional model lines. Created in the 1930s at the request of Portuguese merchants, the original watch combined the precision of a marine chronometer with the comfort of a wristwatch. Even back then, the design was unusual: large, uncluttered, and designed for maximum legibility.

Over the years, the design language of the Portugieser has remained virtually unchanged. Clean lines, a railway-style minute track, slender hands, and the classic case shape characterize its appearance to this day. The integration of one of the oldest and most complicated functions in watchmaking—the minute repeater—adds a new dimension to the line without altering its character.

Mechanics that become audible

The minute repeater is one of the most sophisticated complications in watchmaking. Upon request, it can chime the current time acoustically: every hour, quarter hour, and minute is recited with delicate tones – precisely controlled by a complex chiming mechanism. In the Portugieser Minute Repeater, this task is performed by the caliber 98950 – a hand-wound movement with a 46-hour power reserve, traditional bridge construction, and finely regulated mechanics.

The repeater is triggered by a slider on the left side of the case. Over 200 individual components work together inside to create the characteristic sound. The case material also plays a role – it influences resonance, depth, and volume. The result is an acoustic experience that goes far beyond mere timekeeping.

Handcrafted variants

The Portugieser Minute Repeater is available in carefully selected versions – mostly in 18-carat red gold or platinum. The dial remains true to the classic Portugieser design: clear, uncluttered, perfectly balanced. The watch is complemented by a hand-stitched alligator leather strap by Santoni. The combination of technical finesse, classic style, and limited availability makes it a timepiece for connoisseurs – discreet, sophisticated, and distinctive.