Announcing a "secret" 2010 model: the Portuguese Handwound Pure Classic

This is a scoop --IWC's product manager told me I can announce Reference 5702, the Portuguese Handwound Pure Classic. This new watch model is not being announced publicly or as part of the 2010 Novelties presentation. You saw it here first, with exclusive photos I took.

This model differs from the new Portuguese Handwound in several ways. It's got a "classic" Portuguese diameter of 42.3mm. It has no seconds hand, obviously, and is a classic time-only watch. It also is an ultra-thin, at a height of only 7.3mm. To accomplish that, it has a new movement, Calibre 62060, which is made by Piaget. Why? IWC didn't have a small, ultra-thin manual movement and it wasn't efficient to develop one for only 1000 watches.

That's right --only 1000. All in steel, with 500 with the silver dial shown here and another 500 with a black dial. Given the very limited production, this model apparently will be distributed only in Boutiques. IWC anticipates that these will sell very quickly, given the small production. Therefore, if you are interested, run --don't walk-- to an IWC Boutique and order one. It is slightly less in price than the "regular" handwound Portuguese, to boot.

A few more details...it has a solid back, engraved with the sextant symbol and saying "one out of 500" on it. I will post here an image of the back and a wrist shot shortly.

Really, this is the watch many of you have been waiting for.....right-sized, for almost everyone, thin and absolutely classic. It's a beautiful ultra-thin, and I'm pleased to convey this information as an exclusive first to forum members.

Regards,
Michael

Thank you Michael and IWC

for creating such a lovely watch. It's not for me, but I'm sure 1000 people will enjoy it immensely.

wow... we have a winner here ! Thanks!!

Thank you MF, very nice!!! NT

Very cool - I really like the ultra-thin profile

Announcing a "secret" 2010 model: the Portuguese Handwound Pure Classic

Michael, whilst we hear so many complaints out there around the new "Yacht Club" and IWC lossing it's direction etc. it's nice to see this CLASSIC IWC here - thanks for sharing.

Great, now there is something for...

every size wrist. Although this watch is better suited for my smaller wrist I still intend to carefully consider the Yacht Club model.

Announcing a "secret" 2010 model: the Portuguese Handwound Pure Classic

That is a very pretty and elegantly simple watch. I just looked at the list of IWC boutiques and there is not a boutique in the UK. Does that mean that anybody in a country without a boutique would have to try and reserve one at a boutique in another country and then buy it untried and in a foreign currency and risk postage? I assume it does which is a great shame.
I am though very impressed with the whole of the new 2010 novelties lineup as it contains some great looking watches. My favourite has to be the new Portuguese Handwound with the silver dial and dark seconds hand dial, (like a lot of other forum members). I think that will certainly be going on my wish list of future prospective purchases.
Matthew
(Happily wearing a Mark 15 Pilot's Chronograph)

Well, OK, but why?

It looks nice enough, although I could also say it looks a bit "bald" (this is Dutch, I am not sure how to translate) without the seconds hand. It is only a bit smaller than the normal 44 mm model, which might appeal to those that want a smaller than 44 mm watch. That it is thinner, well, the 10 mm normal watch looks quite elegant and thin too: are people really wanting to sacrifice a seconds hand for that? I would certainly not.

I associate a two hands watch mostly to a small, elegant ladies watch, but for a ladies watch it is a bit too big and not feminine enough. A bit like the mini Ingenieur a few years ago.

Well, I could be wrong of course, it could be a success nonetheless. But I would always go for the regular one, certainly for this kind of money. Being a IWC lover I would like the IWC movement, that is a treat for the eye too.

Kind regards,
Paul, wearing steel VC Pilot's watch

Very classic and straightforward!...

Thank you Michael and IWC for the exclusive preview. I think this is a nice edition for those that want a "no frills" elegant handwound and prefer a smaller diameter.

Best regards,
Jim

There is a whole horological tradition....

...throughout history of "time-only", two-hand, ultra-thin watches. IWC last had one with a special razor-thin Portofino model, back in the 1990s when watches were smaller but not for ladies. Jaeger, Blancpain, Patek and others have almost always had one for men, as have many other companies throughout history. Vacheron has a reallyu special one, but it is 40mm. In fact, the time-only utlranthin was one of Blancpain's "six masterpieces" of watchmaking.

Whether you like this watch, of course, is a personal aesthetic, but the fact that you don't associate the watch with that history may reflect that you weren't aware of that history.

I say this not to advocate this model --the answer is that it is serves a particular audience, even if not personally for you. Personally, I need to think about the space between the hands and the six on this model. But this watch is right for many --and that's why IWC makes different models, and that also is the real answer to your question of "but why".

Regards,
Michael

Here are back and wrist images....

But, with respect, it's kind of ironic when a 42.3mm watch is considered a smaller watch ,)

Regards,
Michael

Mrs E was very impressed. She has excellent taste

And I agree ...

It is a classic. It is simple. And compliments the Tourbillon Retrograde for the person who can pay other people to worry about seconds and other trivia.

Brilliant !

I am very impressed.
Just plain and simple: "The Watch"

Jens-Kristian

Breathtaking! >

Is this the calibre Michael?

Another question.

The arabic numerals are applied or stamped?

Thank you for another great preview, this is IWC!

Regards,

roberto

Very pretty. But since I prefer a seconds hand...

I am not anxious. ,<)