IWC Portuguese Jubilee Limited Edition Watch

by Richard Paige

In 1993, IWC introduced a limited edition series watch to commemorate the company's 125th anniversary. This watch, ThePortuguese Limited Edition Jubilee, is considered one of the most desirable watches for the modern day watch collector.

Click to Enlarge

The creation of the original Portuguese model begins in the late 1930's with a request to IWC from a customer from Portugal. This customer wanted a wristwatch with the same size and accuracy as a pocket watch. IWC was intrigued by the idea and set about to fulfill the request. They selected the slimmest and most reliable pocket watch movement that they manufactured, and went about designing a classic stainless steel case to house it in. Thus the Portuguese wristwatch was born.

Click to Enlarge

The anniversary Jubilee watch, reference 5441, is an exact replica of the original Portuguese from the 1940's. It contains an inhouse Caliber 982 with special engraving on the movement commemorating the 125 years of IWC, 18,000 vibrations per hour, 19 jewel manual wind movement. Breguet hairspring.

Click to Enlarge

The case is of stainless steel, 42 mm diameter, 9.8 mm in height. The front crystal is made of plexiglass in keeping with the spirit of the original version from the 1940's, but the back has a sapphire glass exhibition back.

Only 1000 in steel were produced for this edition. 500 were produced in rose gold and 250 in platinum. The list prices for the edition at its original release were: steel $8,500; rose gold $12,500; and platinum $21,500.

It came in a fantastic wooden presentation box.

Click to Enlarge