IWC has once again updated its gorgeous Portuguese Perpetual Calendar range extending the line with three extra models and two choices of metal. Besides an older version in platinum (Ref. IW502305,) you can now get it in red gold (Ref. IW502306) and white gold (Ref. IW502307,) too.
The most appealing to yours truly is the model ref. IW502307 with its traditional moon phase display and a perfect combination of blue dial and white gold case reminding of a blue flame that was instantly frozen, cut into circular pieces, and gently cased to serve as an ideal background for the hands, Arabic numerals, and indices crafted from white gold.
Powered by the same self-winding IWC Calibre 51613 as the earlier iterations of the model, the Portuguese Perpetual Calendar Ref. IW5023 features the same complex functionality perfectly displaying the current day, date, day of the week, month, four-digit year, and moon phase.
The only disadvantage of this movement is that it will need date correction on February 28, 2100, but that is hardly a problem unless you plan to live for another 90 years.
Like many other recent models from IWC, the 2010 Portuguese Perpetual Calendar somehow manages to present lots of data in an unobtrusive, easy-to-grasp manner.
Featuring only four sub-dials and one indicator, the face additionally displays small seconds and a 7 Days power reserve gauges. As you can gather from the images, the former shares the same sub-dial with the “months” indicator and the latter stays on the same territory with the date display.
As long as you will get used to it (which you will in about ten seconds after putting the timekeeper on your wrist,) the dial will give you no problem reading it with just a brief single glance.
The Portuguese Perpetual Calendar arrives in a rather large body, which is more than 44 mm in diameter and 15.50 millimeters thick. Compared to the previous version, its case grew about 2 millimeters in diameter getting to look more proportioned but making a lot more formidable footprint on your wrist.
Still, thanks to its set of relatively short lugs, you probably won’t feel much (or, in fact, any) discomfort, although you may want to consider ordering several new shirts with wider cuffs that would be able to accommodate the extra bulk of the time measuring device.
As for the price, the new Perpetual Calendar is expected to go on sale at approximately $44,000 depending on which part of the world you live in.
See also: Bvlgari Diagono Retrograde Moonphase in Rose Gold
Photos: IWC
IWC Portuguese Perpetual Calendar IW5023 specification
Price: $44,000 (MSRP, discontinued)
Movement: Caliber 51613, automatic (Pellaton winding system), 62 jewels, 21,600 vph, Swiss Made
Complications: Day, date, day of the week, month, four-digit year, moon phase.
Power reserve: 7 days (168 hours)
Case: Red gold or White gold
Shape: Round
Transparent back: Yes, sapphire glass
Size: 44.20 mm
Case height: 14.00 mm
Dial: Blue
Hands: White gold
Strap: Dark brown alligator leather strap, folding clasp in 18 ct red gold
Crystal: Sapphire