IWC Portuguese Grande Complication

Twenty years ago IWC debuted its Grande Complication, and at SIHH 2010, the 657-component movement made its first ever appearance in a Portuguese case. Dubbed the flagship of the Portuguese fleet, the automatic-winding 79091 caliber offers a chronograph that records up to 12 hours, perpetual calendar displaying the day, date, month and the complete year in four digits, moon phase accurate to 1 day in 122 years, minute repeater, and small hacking seconds.

IWC’s original Grande Complication required 7 years of development to make so many complications fit in a wearable wristwatch. Though the movement is highly complex, the dial displays are crystal clear, and the 4 digit year display at 8 o’clock has become a signature visual reference point. The 45mm case is well proportioned, and remarkably for a minute repeater, it offers 3 bar water resistance. In keeping with the spirit of the Portuguese seafarers, the caseback is engraved with a sextant, and the silver dial features an engraved globe with lines of longitude and latitude, positioned in the correct 23.4-degree angle of inclination of the terrestrial axis.

The title of “Grande Complication” is more than hyperbole in the watch world. It has a specific meaning that requires timepieces with this term to have a certain level of features or “complications.” IWC has given its newest Grande Complication watch a modern feel while retaining the classic style and simple layout that defines the dial orientation design of the automatic caliber 79091 movement, made in house. Despite the neat arrangement of the information windows and subdials on the watch face, this IWC movement has nine hands on the dial and is constructed of almost 660 parts.

It is rare enough to have a grande complication watch be self-winding, but having one that looks easy enough to pick up and use right away without any instruction or explanation is much harder to find. The caliber 79091 movement offers the true holy trinity of grande complications—a 12-hour chronograph, perpetual calendar (adjusted only once each four years), and a minute repeater. The watch even adds a moon phase indicator and year indicator that goes up to 2100—a date, which, with good care, the timepiece will likely survive until. You have to agree that even with 11 pieces of information displayed on the dial, reading the time still only requires a quick glance. Operating the minute repeater is done by sliding down the lever located on the left side of the case. This will cause the internal hammer and gong to musically indicate the time via a basic audible code.

The silvered watch dial features engraved lines meant to remind you of the longitudinal and latitudinal lines on a globe. The curved lines further represent a tilted structure, meant to display the Earth’s actual orientation and axis. Not a petite watch, this IWC sits at a respectable 45mm wide on your wrist in 18-karat red gold, and is not too thick at 16.5mm. More red gold is located on the dial, used for the hour markers and the hands. The ensemble looks handsome combined with a brown alligator strap.

The previous Grande Complication will continue to be built in parallel with the new Portuguese model, which will be limited to 50 numbered examples annually. The Portuguese Grande Complication is priced at $217,000.

IWC Portuguese Grande Complication

Ref. IW3774

Features

Grande Complication with 657 mechanical components, automatic chronograph movement, perpetual calendar with display of the day, date, month and the complete year in four digits, perpetual moon phase, minute repeater, small hacking seconds, engraving of a sextant on the case back

Movement

Calibre: 79091
Beats: 28,800/h
Jewels: 75
Power reserve: 44 h
Winding: automatic

Case

Materials: watch and folding clasp in 18 ct red gold, silver-plated dial, dark brown alligator leather strap with 18 ct red gold stitching
Glass: sapphire, arched edge, antireflective coating on both sides
Water-resistant: 3 bar
Diameter: 45mm
Height: 16.5mm