IWC brings precision chronometry to the Middle East

The Portuguese Regulateur from IWC Schaffhausen recreates the great tradition of earlier observatory watches with considerable success. The "mother of all timepieces", which in the 18th and 19th centuries had its place in observatories, laboratories and naturally in the watch manufactories themselves, appeals to more and more watch connoisseurs - because it changes the way in which we glance at our watch.

The three measured units of time, seconds, minutes and hours, are separated spatially from one another. The hour display has its place in the upper half, and the small seconds display in the lower half of the dial. Only the "large" minutes hand describes its circle from the centre.

This form of time display, which differs from that of all other watches, served a highly practical purpose in the early days of precision chronometry. The clocks of that time - mostly intricate floor-standing clocks or wall clocks - were built with this dial architecture for observatories. This prevented the "slow" hour hand from concealing the important seconds hand, for it was the latter that had a critically important role to play.

Displaying time in this manner recently found its way to the Portuguese watch from IWC Schaffhausen. Inside the 43 mm diameter case, is an original pocket watch movement in the form of the 98245 calibre. This mechanical drive mechanism, with manual winding and a 46-hour power reserve, is backed by IWC's almost 140 years' experience in the design and construction of precision movements. At the same time, with its three-quarter plate made of nickel silver, large screw balance and elongated precision adjustment index, it brings to mind the first movements of the company's founder, F.A. Jones. The finely decorated movement can be admired behind the coated sapphire glass back.

The limited edition of 500 watches in platinum and the two further unlimited variants in rose gold and stainless steel are now joined by a fourth variant in white gold, also with no limit on the numbers produced. Pure understatement, which is further accentuated by a slate-grey ardoise dial. The watch is worn on a dark brown crocodile leather strap.