Three of a kind in green from IWC

Text: Aleksandar Mladenovic

The green trend continues! IWC just launched three new green-dialled watches in the form of two Portugiesers and a Big Pilot 43.

Eqotime’s Aleksandar Mladenovic takes a closer look at the models.

IWC Portugieser Automatic 40 & Portugieser 42 Perpetual Calendar

We have previously established that green is on the agenda in our articles about the Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris and Glashütte Original SeaQ Panorama Date. Dare we say that green is here to stay? At least for a couple of years to come. That is the feeling at any rate, since there are not many manufacturers who do not want or dare not to have their popular models in green.

So IWC is expanding its Portugieser collection with two new watches. Both models were given a small update during 2020 when the cases were slimmed down and they wanted to make them a little more wearable for the common man and woman.

First up we have the IWC Portugieser Automatic 40 ref. IW358310. The case is made of stainless steel and measures 40,4mm according to IWC’s website. The thickness is 12,3mm and the watch is water resistant down to 30m.

The movement that ticks inside the watch and which of course can be admired through the sapphire crystal caseback is their 82200 calibre which ticks at 28,800bph and has a power reserve of 60h.

The dial has a sunburst finish and applied Arabic numerals as indices in classic Portugieser spirit. The hands are classically leaf-shaped and we have a sub-second at six o’clock on the dial. All in all, the watch cannot be mistaken for anything other than a classic Portugieser.

It is delivered on a matching green alligator strap and should be available at retailers right away and costs 82,900kr.

Next in line is the more complicated Portugieser Perpetual Calendar 42. It is considerably more complicated than the Portugieser Automatic 40 but not as much as the top dog in the larger size, 44mm, with a 7 day automatic movement. It feels wrong to call it an entry-level perpetual calendar but that is where it positions itself within the collection.

The case on this model is also made of stainless steel, measures 42,4mm with a thickness of 13,8mm and with a water resistance of 30m.

Like its smaller sibling we have the classic design elements from the Portugieser and three sub-dials for the respective complication: day (and leap year indicator), month and moon phase as well as date.

Inside the watch their automatic 82650 calibre ticks at 28,800bph and with a 60h power reserve. The movement is the same as in the smaller sibling but with a module for the perpetual calendar added. Naturally this beauty is also equipped with sapphire crystal on the back.

Here too the watch is delivered on a matching green alligator strap and the price tag for ref. IW344207 is 262,000kr.

IWC Big Pilot 43

The Big Pilot 43 was introduced last year as a more wearable alternative to the ”original”, i.e. their Big Pilot 46. The reception of the new size was warm and it is a natural step to expand the collection with new colour choices.

The purists still lean towards the bigger sibling but as a commercial product the Big Pilot 43 will probably cement its place in the collection further in the coming years. More and more manufacturers are after all starting to move back towards slightly more traditional and modest sizes.

What we are looking at is therefore a pilot’s watch in its classic form with a stainless steel case of 43mm. The watch is 13,6mm thick and water resistant down to 100m. Interestingly enough this watch is delivered on a green rubber bracelet with an EasX-change system unlike the link or leather strap that we usually see.

The dial in ”racing green” is very clear and easy to read with its large Arabic indices that are filled with superluminova. The aesthetic is very ”clean” – no date or complications on the dial apart from its three hands and the company’s logo as well as the text ”automatic” at six o’clock.

Inside the watch calibre 82200 with 28,800bph and 60h power reserve which can be admired from the back in sapphire crystal.

The price tag for the IWC Big Pilot 43 ref. IW329306 is 106,000kr.

Technical specifications

Model: Portugieser Automatic 40
Reference number: IW358310

Diameter: 40,4mm
Thickness: 12,3mm
Case material: Stainless steel

Dial: Green sunburst
Water resistance: 30m
Bracelet: Green leather strap in alligator

Movement: In-house caliber 82200
Complications: Sub-second
Power reserve: 60h
Winding: Automatic

Price: 82,900kr

Model: Portugieser Perpetual Calendar 42
Reference number: IW344207

Diameter: 42,4mm
Thickness: 13,8mm
Case material: Stainless steel

Dial: Green sunburst
Water resistance: 30m
Bracelet: Green leather strap in alligator

Movement: In-house caliber 82650
Complications: Perpetual calendar (day, date, month, moon phase, leap year indicator)
Power reserve: 60h
Winding: Automatic

Price: 262,000kr

Model: Big Pilot 43
Reference number: IW329306

Diameter: 43mm
Thickness: 13,6mm
Case material: Stainless steel

Dial: Green ”racing green” sunburst
Water resistance: 100m
Bracelet: Green rubber bracelet with EasX-change system

Movement: In-house caliber 82100
Complications: –
Power reserve: 60h
Winding: Automatic

Price: 106,000kr

Read more about the models at IWC.