At Watches & Wonders Geneva 2024, IWC showcased its latest horological project, the IWC Portugieser Eternal Calendar ref. IW505701. This timepiece boasts an exclusive secular perpetual calendar movement. The perpetual calendar complication has long been revered in the world of watchmaking, representing the pinnacle of mechanical ingenuity. IWC has a storied history with perpetual calendars, dating back to 1985 with the introduction of the Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar, featuring the groundbreaking mechanism devised by legendary watchmaker Kurt Klaus.
In 2024, IWC raised the bar even higher with the launch of the Portugieser Eternal Calendar. Unlike conventional perpetual calendars, which require manual adjustments in certain years, the Eternal Calendar is equipped with a 400-year gear system that accounts for leap year irregularities up to the year 3999. This unprecedented feat of engineering ensures that the watch will remain accurate for generations to come. One of the standout features of the Eternal Calendar is its moon phase display. Thanks to a newly developed reduction gear train, the moon phase will deviate by only one day every 45 million years.
The IWC Portugieser Eternal Calendar boasts a host of impressive features. Crafted from platinum, its 44.4mm case houses a glass dial with a frosted and lacquered white underside, creating a striking visual contrast. The dial layout, reminiscent of IWC’s iconic design codes, features sub-dials displaying calendar information and a four-digit year window, applied rhodium-plated Arabic numerals, rhodium-plated leaf hour and minute hands, and water resistance up to 50 meters. It comes with a Santoni black alligator leather strap and a platinum folding clasp.
The IWC-manufactured Caliber 52460 powers the Portugieser Eternal Calendar. This automatic movement boasts a 7-day power reserve, ensuring reliable performance over extended periods. The incorporation of a 400-year gear system adds to the movement’s complexity.
While the exact price has yet to be confirmed, the IWC Portugieser Eternal Calendar is expected to command a premium price. For more information, please visit the official IWC website.
