IWC Schaffhausen unveils the IWC Portugieser Chronograph Year of the Dragon as a tribute to the Year of the Wood Dragon.
As the Year of the Rabbit enters its final days, a palpable sense of excitement fills the air in anticipation of the Year of the Wood Dragon. Of the Chinese zodiac signs, none is more auspicious, given the dragon is the only mythical creature of the twelve. Those born under the Wood Dragon are considered energetic, strong, confident, gifted, intelligent and generous, while the year promises luck, prosperity, and economic success.
As a brand steeped in tradition and heritage, IWC Schaffhausen heralds in the Year of the Dragon with a special iteration of the IWC Portugieser Chronograph, often regarded as one of IWC’s most popular models, after last year’s Year of the Rabbit’s time-only IWC Portugieser Automatic.
“Since 1998, the Portugieser Chronograph has embodied the dynamic, sporty side of IWC Schaffhausen’s acclaimed Portugieser collection. Thanks to the dial layout with the vertically arranged counters and the quarter-seconds precision scale, it has become one of our most coveted designs. We are convinced it is a fitting model to welcome the Year of the Dragon”, said Peter Lao, Managing Director of IWC Schaffhausen China.
In true Lunar New Year fashion, the IWC Portugieser Chronograph Year of the Dragon is outfitted with a vibrant red dial (burgundy, to be precise). The intense reddish-purple hue was chosen for its symbolism — individuality, intensity, ambition, power, and sophistication — in line with the dragon’s traits. Gold, another auspicious colour to the Chinese, complements the warmth of burgundy as the watch hands, hour indices, minute track and chronograph counters are clad in gold. A pair of straps complement the 41mm stainless steel case, one in black calfskin and another in burgundy rubber, allowing the wearer to choose between two different looks.
Flipping the watch over reveals another tribute to the Year of the Dragon: a gold-plated dragon engraved into the rotor of the IWC-manufactured 69355 calibre. An engraving of “2024 YEAR OF THE DRAGON” on the case back ring and the watch’s serial number are further nods to this special 1000-piece IWC Portugieser Chronograph Year of the Dragon.
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