Jewellery & Watch News
A “panda chronograph” is a personal favourite for many watch collectors, so much so that one of the world’s most expensive wristwatches sold at auction was one of the very same. What is it that makes a light coloured backdrop with dark toned subsidiary dials so appealing? We can’t say for sure, but what we do know is that IWC’s latest drop is going to appeal to those of you with your own penchant for panda dials. Meet the new IWC Portugieser Blue Panda Automatic IW500715 and Chronograph IW371620 watches…
IWC Schaffhausen needs little to no introduction and neither do their elegant family of Portugieser dress watches. Inspired by a historic marine chronometer from the 1930’s, the IWC Portugieser collection has always upheld its nautical heritage, appealing to those with a love for blue-coloured watches. Models like the IWC Portugieser Automatic IW500710 is a great example, boasting a sunray brushed blue dial and matching blue small seconds and power reserve indicator counters. Similarly, the IWC Portugieser Chronograph IW371617 elects a timeless silver backdrop but one overshadowed by the slim blue-coloured feuille hands and numerals. Almost combining both of these designs together is a new duo of blue panda watches under references IW500715 and IW371620. Their silvery-white dials and contrasting blue counters are truly spectacular and commemorate the brand’s history with marine deck observation watches clearer than ever.
Starting with the bigger of the two, the IWC Portugieser Automatic Blue Panda IW500710 watch could be easily mistaken as a chronograph at first glance. It showcases the popular panda-style bi-compax layout with two blue counters at the 3 and 9 o’clock positions but rather than displaying chronograph complications, they reveal small seconds and a power reserve indicator. The counters are adorned in a gorgeous navy blue which contrasts effortlessly to the glossy silver-white surface beneath. To match, the feuille hands for the hours, minutes and seconds and the Arabic numerals are also painted in blue.
Powering said functions is the brand’s in-house Calibre 52010 which with its wide rotor with Pellaton winding system and 168-hour power reserve requires a slightly larger housing than alternative Portugieser Automatics. The stainless steel case of the IWC Portugieser Automatic IW500710 watch measures to 42.3mm in diameter and 14.1mm in height, a little big for a dress watch but a size certainly made up for by its 7 day power reserve. The case also presents sapphire crystal glass, a 30 metre water resistant rating and a blue alligator leather strap closed by a steel folding clasp.
The second white and blue dial is spotted on the IWC Portugieser Chronograph Blue Panda IW371620 watch. The Portugieser Chronograph is easily one of the Swiss watch manufacturer’s most important designs, having barely changed in its specifications in 25 years. Reference IW371620 is no different, offering all the same features as its predecessors but with the gorgeous nautical blue and white panda dial. The backdrop is white lacquered and presents two blue subsidiary counters for the small seconds and 30 minutes chronograph counter.
Inside the IWC Portugieser Chronograph IW371620 watch is the ValFleurier-made automatic winding Calibre 69355. It features a column wheel mechanism, visible through the sapphire case back, a frequency of 28,800vph and a power reserve of 46 hours. The movement is protected within another stainless steel case, this one measuring a little smaller at 41mm in diameter and 13.1mm in height. There’s the same sapphire crystal glass, 30 metre water resistance but an alternate blue rubber strap adding to the design’s on-the-water aesthetic.
If you’d like to learn more about the new IWC Portugieser Blue Panda Automatic IW500715 and Chronograph IW371620 watches and order them for yourself, head over to the C W Sellors website here. Alternatively, get in touch with the team by calling 01335 453453 or send us a message at sales@cwsellors.com.
