Introducing The New IWC Portugieser Automatic 42 Year of the Horse

We’ve seen a recurring habit among several watch brands to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year, and IWC is one of them. Over the years, the brand has marked the occasion with passion, honoring many years including the current Year of the Snake. To welcome the upcoming Year of the Horse, IWC unveils the Portugieser Automatic 42 in a refined burgundy edition, a limited edition of 500 pieces that blends traditional Chinese symbolism with the collection’s timeless elegance.

The watch features a stainless steel case measuring 42.4 mm in diameter and 13 mm in thickness. Its polished and brushed surfaces, slender side profile, and box-shaped sapphire crystals on both sides lend it a refined appearance. Water resistance is rated at 50 meters.

The burgundy dial takes inspiration from the auspicious red tones traditionally associated with Lunar New Year celebrations. It is complemented by gold-plated leaf-shaped hands, appliques, and Roman numerals. The classic Portugieser layout includes small seconds at 9 o’clock, a date window at 6 o’clock, and a 7-day power reserve indicator at 3 o’clock, where a golden horse replaces the traditional “days” inscription.

Powering the watch is the in-house automatic calibre 52011, operating at a frequency of 28,800 vph (4 Hz) and delivering a 168-hour (7-day) power reserve stored across two barrels. Through the transparent caseback, the gold-plated rotor can be admired, crafted in the shape of a galloping horse to honor the Lunar New Year.

The watch is delivered with both a black alligator leather strap and an additional burgundy alligator strap, each secured by a stainless steel folding clasp. It is priced at EUR 15,300, equivalent to AED 56,800.

For more information, visit IWC’s official website.