When you glance at the watch, you might initially think it’s just another timepiece with a moon phase display and a few other “extras.” In today’s world, where marketing professionals outnumber watchmakers, the name “Eternal” might sound like a perfume or an exaggerated feature. But this is not the case here.
The roots of this watch go back to 1985 when Kurt Klaus designed the groundbreaking perpetual calendar. Yet, the Portugieser Perpetual Calendar takes a massive leap forward. At its heart lies the eternal calendar, which automatically accounts for the varying lengths of months and includes a leap day every four years—all accurate until the year 3999. True to form, IWC didn’t stop there; they introduced their first secular perpetual calendar.
Christoph Grainger-Herr, CEO of IWC Schaffhausen, winner of the “Aiguille d’Or” Grand Prix 2024
What does that mean? It accounts for the exceptions in centuries that aren’t leap years. The innovative 400-year wheel skips three leap years within a 400-year cycle. Without this mechanism, it would merely be a 400-year calendar. Incredible, isn’t it?
The moon phase display is another masterpiece of precision, requiring an adjustment only once every 45 million years—a feat that underscores IWC’s drive for astronomical accuracy. And despite all this complexity, the watch remains remarkably user-friendly: all settings are adjustable via a single crown.
How often does it need winding, you ask? Just once a week! At its core beats the IWC-manufactured caliber 52640, an automatic movement powered by the patented Pellaton winding system. This ingenious mechanism stores energy in two barrels, ensuring a constant power supply and precise timekeeping.
The Portugieser Perpetual Calendar is not merely a technical marvel; it’s an emotional achievement. During the 2024 GPHG awards, it received the Aiguille d’Or, the highest honor a watch can earn. In a heartfelt speech, Christoph Grainger-Herr, IWC’s CEO, paid tribute to Kurt Klaus’s visionary work and the dedication of the entire IWC team. This watch embodies the fusion of human creativity, craftsmanship, and technological innovation.
The Portugieser Perpetual Calendar isn’t just a watch; it’s a tribute to time, the science of calendars, and the infinite precision of the universe. It showcases what is possible when craftsmanship and engineering unite harmoniously. This timepiece is destined to shine far beyond our lifetime—a true masterpiece from IWC, offered for 150,000 CHF. For eternity? A bargain! 😉
