IWC Adds Green to the Portugieser Automatic 40 and Perpetual Calendar 42

There’s no avoiding green. While silver/white and black used to be the norm, later followed by an array of blue watches in the 2010s, green seems to be THE colour of the 2020s. It’s not a trend anymore; it’s becoming a necessity for brands to have a green edition of classic models. And we can’t blame them, because when it’s done right, a green-coloured watch can be pretty cool. IWC is no stranger to the colour green, pushing the concept as far as possible with a full-green watch, case and strap included. Following yesterday’s launch of the Racing Green Big Pilot 43, it’s now time for the Portugieser to get the same treatment with new green editions of the Portugieser Automatic 40 and Perpetual Calendar 42. 

You simply can’t do without it anymore. Green is all over the place, with dozens of watches recently launched with green dials, in all segments of the industry, in all styles and categories, and in all price ranges. IWC has been pretty busy in the green field with different interpretations of the colour like this matte green dial with a bronze case for a vintage look or a monogreen take with case, strap and dial in matte Woodland green and even a Racing Green BP 43 watch recently. And today, it’s the elegant side of the collection that gets a green makeover. And again, it’s a rather different interpretation of the colour that the brand is proposing.

The addition of green dials concerns two classic models in the Portugieser collection: the Automatic 40 and the Perpetual Calendar 42. Both watches were introduced as part of the collection update of 2020, being a slightly more accessible and more compact take on the oversized self-winding and QP Portugieser we’ve come to know for many years. And now, a new sunray-brushed dark green dial is offered combined with stainless steel cases and rhodium-plated accents. The colour is rich and deep, but also plays with the ambient light to create reflections and changing tones. Adding to the bolder style, these two models are worn on a matching green alligator leather strap with tone-on-tone stitching.

First in line is the IWC Portugieser Automatic 40 IW358310. This watch, released two years ago, was meant to be a more compact and more focused take on the Portugieser concept, with a simple time-only display and a more accessible automatic movement. Compared to the large 42mm 7-day Automatic version, it features a smaller and less bulky case, with typical elements of the collection, such as the applied Arabic numerals, leaf hands and a railroad minute track. This new steel-and-green version comes in addition to two silver dials (gold or blue accents) and a blue dial.

Under the sapphire caseback is the in-house calibre 82200, a mid-range automatic movement with a comfortable 60h power reserve and some typical IWC refinements, such as a Pellaton winding system with wear-free ceramic parts. This green version of the IWC Portugieser Automatic 40 (ref. IW358310) is now available from the brand and retailers, and is part of the permanent collection at a price of EUR 7,350.

Quick facts: 40.4mm x 12.3mm – steel case, sapphire crystals both sides, 30m water-resistant – green brushed dial with rhodium-plated hands and markers – calibre 82200, automatic, 4Hz frequency, 60h power reserve, hours, minutes, small seconds – green alligator leather strap – IW358310 – EUR 7,350

Next to the entry-level automatic model is a new take on the Portugieser Perpetual Calendar 42. Here again, it’s a simplified and slightly more compact take on an existing complication, powered by a simpler movement. Compared to the oversized 44mm 7-day automatic QP, this version has a 42.4mm case and a display that has been streamlined a bit too. Here again, all the signature elements of the Portugieser collection are present, with a new colour that is found all over the dial, with no other contrasting colour than the white tracks and rhodium-plated accents.

Inside the case, and following the strategy of more compact and slightly less expensive models, this QP is powered by the same base movement as the Automatic 40 with a perpetual calendar module on top. This calibre 82650 thus beats at 4Hz and boasts 60h of power reserve when the Pellaton winding system has done its job. The steel-and-green Portugieser Perpetual Calendar 42 (ref. IW344207) is now available and is part of the permanent collection. It is priced at EUR 23,200.

Quick facts: 42.4mm x 13.8mm – steel case, sapphire crystals both sides, 30m water-resistant – green brushed dial with rhodium-plated hands and markers – calibre 82650 with QP module, automatic, 4Hz frequency, 60h power reserve, hours, minutes, seconds, perpetual calendar with date, day, month, leap year and moonphase – green alligator leather strap – IW344207 – EUR 23,200

For more details and orders, please visit iwc.com.