IWC Schaffhausen Debuts Dark New Look for Portugieser

While various models of IWC Schaffhausen’s Pilot watch have donned a matte black finish, the Portugieser—the house’s avatar of sporty style since 1998—remained largely immune to this dark treatment.

Until now. The new Portugieser Chronograph Ceratanium (ref. IW371631) is a creative reimagining that strips the classic style of its traditional polished luster in favor of monochromatic black.

Long a proponent of the sleek look, IWC Schaffhausen has pioneered the use of titanium and ceramics to create professional instrument watches that prioritize utility over flash. For the Portugieser’s all-black transformation, the watchmaker utilized Ceratanium, a proprietary material developed in-house that fuses the lightweight robustness of titanium with the hardness and scratch-resistance of ceramic. Created from a special titanium alloy and fired at high temperatures in a kiln, the material results in a distinctive, matte-metallic finish that is as durable as it is striking.

Every exterior element of the Portugieser Chronograph—from its 41 mm case to the crown and pushers to the dial, hands, and appliques—is rendered in deep black. Even the applied Arabic numerals and the quarter-second scale are subtle elevations against the dial, emphasizing the chronograph’s silhouette.

“With its clean, pure, and timelessly relevant aesthetic, the Portugieser Chronograph has captivated me from the beginning,” said IWC Schaffhausen creative director Christian Knoop in a statement. “I am excited to combine this unique design with Ceratanium, one of our most significant material innovations. The all-black execution is different from anything we have ever done before. It emphasizes the chronograph’s mere shape, ensuring that nothing distracts the eye from its distinctive silhouette.”

Internally, the watch is powered by the IWC Schaffhausen-manufactured 69355 calibre, a mechanical chronograph movement with a column-wheel control mechanism for precise switching and a tactile response when the pushers are engaged. An automatic double-pawl winding system provides a reliable 46-hour power reserve.

Only 1,500 Portugieser Chronograph Cerataniums are being produced. Complete with a black rubber strap, the limited-edition timepiece—priced at $14,600—brings a new, brooding energy to the Schaffhausen lineup.

(Photo courtesy of IWC Schaffhausen) 

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