Portuguese Automatic Edition Dragon Year

In the Lunar Year of the Dragon, a classically beautiful timepiece from IWC Schaffhausen makes a glittering entry.

The Portuguese Automatic Edition Dragon Year captures the dynamism and good fortune of this sign of the zodiac with a dragon engraving on the rotor. The strongly symbolic design of this timelessly elegant watch is paired with an outstanding movement that includes Pellaton winding, a 7-day power reserve and date display. But individuals hoping to secure one of these watches will need to be determined and have luck on their side: the Portuguese Automatic Edition Dragon Year in red gold is limited to 888 pieces worldwide and available exclusively from selected IWC retailers.

On 23 January, millions of people all over the world celebrated Lunar New Year by heralding the symbol for the year 2012: the dragon. In China and many Asian countries, it is a bringer of good fortune and a symbol of power and leadership, strength of character and prosperity. To mark the Year of the Dragon, IWC is proud to unveil the Portuguese Automatic Edition Dragon Year, a limited-edition timepiece that combines the traditional and the contemporary with the art of watchmaking from Schaffhausen. “Our watches have enjoyed an excellent reputation in Asia for many years now,” says IWC CEO Georges Kern. “This special edition is a sign of recognition and appreciation to our customers. The enormous significance that is being attached to the Year of the Dragon inspired us to create the Portuguese Automatic Edition Dragon Year.” Since its debut in 2004, the Portuguese Automatic with date display has established itself as one of the most successful Portuguese models ever to leave Schaffhausen. The balanced design of the dial with its appliquéd Arabic numerals, railway-track-style chapter ring and slender feuille hands retains the classic appeal of the legendary original Portuguese first manufactured in the 1930s.

A classically beautiful timepiece

Even the slightest modification to this model’s heritage has to be clearly thought through and meticulously researched. This was particularly important in the case of the Portuguese Automatic Edition Dragon Year. For the colour combination, IWC’s watch designers selected classic black as the symbol of eternity, and precious gold as the hallmark of the successful generation currently influencing China’s fortunes. The case, made of 18-carat red gold, is combined with a black alligator leather strap, a slate-coloured dial with twinkling sun-pattern finish and red gold numerals, hands and hour indices. Thanks to its stylish combination of individual elements, the watch radiates a consummate beauty. The small seconds at “9 o’clock” and the power reserve display as its optical counterpoise at “3 o’clock” give the dial a harmonious balance – classical, elegant and immediately unmistakable. The solid, convex sapphire glass has an antireflective coating on both sides and protects the watch from the stresses and strains of everyday use. The diameter of the case is 42.3 millimetres, the height of the case 14 millimetres. The compact dimensions, the clear lines and the distinctive design put the watch in a class of its own.