Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. The Burgundy-Toned IWC Portugieser Automatic 42 Year of the Horse
A burgundy-coloured limited edition of the iconic Portugieser 42 honours the Chinese New Year.
On the 17th of February 2026, the Chinese Zodiac will welcome the Year of the Horse. Like many watch brands, IWC jumped on the Chinese Lunar New Year bandwagon a couple of years ago with limited editions of its icon, the Portugieser, with burgundy-coloured dials and a restrained approach when it comes to depicting the animal of the year. To mark the upcoming Year of the Horse, IWC gives its 42mm stainless steel Portugieser Automatic 42 a special makeover in a limited run of 500 pieces.
First produced in the late 1930s, the clean-cut identity of the Portugieser was forged on the high-precision pocket watch movement fitted inside its large case. Thanks to its understated, sober style, the Portugieser has weathered the passing decades admirably. Released in 2000 and subtly updated in 2024, the 42mm Portugieser Automatic, with its balanced layout of small seconds at 9, power reserve at 3, and date at 6 o’clock, was fitted with the revised calibre IW 52011, an improved automatic movement maintaining its robust 7-day power reserve but better protected against magnetic fields. Other tweaks included slightly thinner-looking case middles thanks to the box-shaped sapphire crystals front and back.
Sticking to the formula employed on the Year of the Rabbit and Year of the Dragon, the Portugieser Automatic 42 Year of the Horse model has an attractive, burgundy-coloured dial with gold-plated hands, appliques and indices. The choice of a burgundy dial and golden elements is deliberate since red and gold are considered a symbolic colour combination in China associated with luck, prosperity and passion. The 42.4mm stainless steel case with a thickness of 13mm is classic Portugieser with its slim, stepped bezel, polished surfaces and brushed case middle.
However, unlike earlier Chinese New Year models with no reference whatsoever to the animal on the dial, for 2026, IWC has decided to incorporate a discreet image of a horse on the dial. Replacing the word “days” on the 7-day power reserve gauge at 3 o’clock is the silhouette of a golden horse in full gallop.
As mentioned, the 42m Portugieser Automatic runs on the revised in-house automatic calibre IW 52011 with its Pellaton winding system, a frequency of 28,800vph and an impressive 168-hour power reserve stored across two barrels. To celebrate the Year of the Horse, the 18k gold rotor features the profile of a galloping horse.
The IWC Portugieser Automatic 42 Year of the Horse (IW501709) is delivered with a black alligator strap with a steel folding clasp and a complimentary burgundy leather strap. Limited to 500 pieces, the watch retails for EUR 15,300 (incl. tax). More information at IWC.com.
