For many years, the Portuguese Tourbillon Mystere watch has been regarded as one of the most alluring watches, equipped with a rotating carriage escapement. Now, the designers at IWC Schaffhausen have enhanced this exceptional watch by a retrograde date indicator. The new function has been followed by a new name bestowed on this model - the Portuguese Tourbillon Mystere Retrograde.

Breathtaking and enigmatic, this watch happens to be a true standout within the Portuguese lineup. The audience, this model appeals to, has been continuously growing ever since its original appearance in 2004. It can be explained by the watch’s lavish proportions, its high class and the exceptional setting of the tourbillon escapement.
The extra-large dial of the new IWC watch features a graduated scale for the additional fly-back date indicator, incorporated into the 51900-calibre movement, which was entirely produced in the IWC brand’s workshops. This graduated scale occupies over one quarter of the dial’s surface.

As soon as any month, containing 31 days, reaches the end, the date indicator jumps back to ?? In the months that are shorter, or in case the timepiece has not been worn for some time, the wearer should advance the date indicator by activating the rapid adjustment function. Then, it will immediately spring back to the first day of the month.

The small seconds sub-dial has been successfully substituted by an appealing minute tourbillon. The tourbillon features a steel cage with three characteristic star-shaped stays which are in charge of this function. The right half of the dial exposes the seven-day power reserve indicator. It shows the wearer how much energy the spring barrel is holding. The power is delivered to it through the Pellaton winding system of this calibre family. The flying minute tourbillon comprises 81 individual parts and its weight constitutes 0.433 grams. This remarkable mechanism, also called an “animated twelve? is the hallmark of the watch.

The predecessor of the novel watch revealed a tourbillon, set in a plate segment, embellished with cylindrical grinding. The Portuguese Tourbillon Mystere Retrograde watch, meanwhile, has the tourbillon embedded in a ring, which demonstrates a mirror-finished inside. It allows the parts of the escapement to be reflected, providing this way a true pleasure for the admirers?eyes.

The IWC horological masterpiece has been featured in two case versions. The interpretation, available with an 18-carat red gold case, has been issued in limited series of 500 pieces. Every unit from this edition reveals a silver-plated dial and comes with a dark brown alligator leather strap, finished with an 18-carat red gold folding clasp.

The launch of the second version, sculptured in platinum, has been restricted to 250 items. Each timepiece from this series frames a ruthenium-black dial and is mounted on a black alligator leather strap, which terminates in a platinum folding clasp.

The Portuguese Tourbillon Mystere Retrograde watch, refined by the IWC brand, boasts 3-bar water-resistance.


IWC Unveils Portuguese Tourbillon Mystere Retrogra