Introducing: The IWC Portugieser Chronograph With Stainless Steel Bracelet

September 08, 2020

The IWC Portugieser Chronograph has earned a strong following among IWC's offerings since its debut almost 30 years ago C but now, for the first time ever, it comes on a bracelet. The Portugieser Chronograph, which is now powered by IWC's in-house caliber 69355, is often lauded for its versatility, as Danny observed during his time with the watch. The inclusion of a stainless steel bracelet featuring polished and satin surfaces means that it becomes even more versatile and works in circumstances that a leather strap simply wouldn't.?IWC introduced the new bracelet version of the watch at the Watches & Wonders exhibition in Shanghai running through Sept. 13. In a press release, Christoph Grainger-Herr, CEO of IWC Schaffhausen, notes that, "Stainless steel is robust and practical for everyday use, but also corrosion-resistant and unaffected by moisture, sweat and seawater splashes." ?And, of course, a strap can always be swapped in for old times' sake.? Initial Thoughts IWC adding a bracelet to the Portugieser Chronograph raises the question: Why didn't they do this sooner? It's the perfect platform. It's both handsomely refined and sporty at once. The watch was recently treated to upgraded internals in the form of the classic column-wheel 69355 caliber, so a bracelet to match seems like the final step in the evolution of the model which is now inching towards three decades of existence. Good things take time, and there's certainly something to be said about the small changes made over the lifespan of the model that make it what it is today C bracelet and all.? Any bracelet would give the watch a more sporty personality, but the bracelet that IWC has chosen for the Portugieser Chronograph lends a particularly rugged aesthetic to the watch, which was originally designed for navigation tasks. It's always been a capable wristwatch with the horological chops to back it up, but now, with a bracelet, it finally looks the part in a way that it never has before.? The Basics Brand: IWCModel: Portugieser Chronograph With Stainless Steel BraceletReference Number: IW371617Diameter: 41mmThickness: 13.1mmCase Material: Stainless SteelDial Color: Silver-platedIndexes: Printed Arabic numeralsLume: AbsentWater Resistance: 30mStrap/Bracelet: Stainless steel bracelet The Movement Caliber: IWC-manufactured 69355 Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, stopwatch Diameter: 30mmPower Reserve: 46 hours Winding: AutomaticFrequency: 28,800vphJewels: 27? Pricing & Availability Price: $8,900Availability: IWC Authorized Dealers?For more, click here.