IWC Portuguese Tourbillon Mystere Squelette Watch, Limited Edition Of 50

Swiss watch brand IWC has presented a new skeletonized tourbillon watch in its iconic Portuguese collection.  Limited to a series of 50 pieces in rose gold, white gold, or platinum, the IWC Portuguese Tourbillon Mystere Squelette presents an extremely intricate open-worked movement whose every surface has been enriched by the art of acclaimed engine-turning and engraving master Jochen Benzinger.  

The IWC Portuguese Tourbillon Mystere Squelette watch features a 44.2mm case which is naturally fitted with sapphire crystals on both front and back.  The finely processed 18K gold or platinum displays an appealing contrast between brushed and polished finishes that emphasize the great intricacy of the movement bridges.  Proudly appearing at the 12 o'clock position is the fascinating flying tourbillon, which comprises 81 individual parts and weights a scant 0.443 gram.  Mounted from underneath, the tourbillon completes a single revolution each minute, bearing its screw-adjusted balance wheel with a blued Breguet balance spring.  Just below and left of the tourbillon is the subsidiary seconds display, and appearing at 4 o'clock is a power reserve indicator, which clearly shows the status of the 7-day mainspring reserve.  Frequency of the balance is 19,800 alternations per hour.

The exceptional movement animating the IWC Portuguese Tourbillon Mystere Squelette watch is manufactured by IWC, and carries the designation of Calibre 50910.  This automatic movement incorporates the innovative Pellaton winding system, which along with the long-lasting power reserve and superbly realized tourbillon completes what can truly be considered a masterpiece of elite Swiss watchmaking.  Water resistant to 30 meters, each of these limited edition IWC tourbillon watches is completed by a crocodile leather strap and an IWC folding clasp in 18K gold or platinum.  

The Portuguese watch is integral to the 20th century history of the IWC brand, first appearing in 1938.  The impetus of its creation was the request of two Portuguese businessmen who, two years before, had commissioned a wristwatch of uncommonly large proportions which could perform with an admirable degree of precision.  While certainly a maverick creation in both size and concept at the time of its introduction, the distinctive yet elegant Portuguese watch eventually became an entire family of timepieces, which today are among the most celebrated in the IWC catalog.