IWC Portugieser Chronograph Classic Bucherer Blue Editions in Red Gold
The 130 years old retailer from Lucerne in Switzerland collaborated with 11 different watch manufacturers to come up with their special Bucherer Blue Editions watches. This IWC Portugieser Chronograph Classic Bucherer Blue Editions in red gold is their 18th watch in this collaboration series. Previously, we reported about the Tudor that Bucherer did for this Blue Editions series, you can read it here. That watch is now well sought after by fans of the brand. Will the same thing happen to this IWC Blue Edition? Let’s zoom in a bit.
IWC Portugieser Chronograph Classic Bucherer Blue Editions
With a limited run of just 88 pieces, this IWC Portugieser Chronograph Classic Bucherer Blue Editions (it still can be pronounced by taking one deep breath) is not only exclusive by its price tag of €21.900,-, but also by the low number of watches that are available. Based on the classic IWC Portugieser Chronograph, one of my favourite models from this Schaffhausen manufacture, Bucherer added a couple of cool things in the mix. A beautiful red gold case in 42mm with a stunning blue dial. Combined with the red gold hands and hour markers, it is a very nice variant on the existing red gold IWC Portugieser Chronograph Classic reference IW390301 with silver dial.
This IWC has manufacture calibre 89361, a chronograph movement with a flyback function. This self-winding movement has a power reserve of 68 hours. The height of the watch is 14.2mm, which is not super thin but for a flyback chronograph, it is fine. It also suits the watch.
It surprised me that IWC didn’t come up with a beautiful combination like this themselves, as they are very keen on bringing out stylish watches. Talking about stylish, the IWC Portugieser Chronograph Classic Bucherer Blue Editions comes on a very nice brown alligator strap. Although not specifically mentioned in the information we received from Bucherer, it appears to be one of those straps made by shoe-maker Santoni.
When Bucherer teamed up with Tudor for their Blue Editions collection, we received quite some emails and messages from people who wanted one badly but were a bit annoyed that they couldn’t purchase it in the United States. These watches appear only in the Bucherer boutiques in Europe and they are not willing to ship. You really need to pick them up yourself. On the one hand, this keeps it exclusive (although you’ll find them for sale on the well-known online marketplaces in BNIB condition) but on the other hand, it wouldn’t hurt to reach out to the people who want one badly (and thus support your boutiques) and ship them.
Will this IWC Portugieser Chronograph Classic Bucherer Blue Edition get the same collectable status as the Tudor? I believe to think so, as the production number is low but more importantly, it is a great looking combination that at least I would pick over the ‘standard’ IWC Portugieser Chronograph Classic with silver dial.
For more information on availability, go to the official Bucherer website.
