News: IWC Portugieser 'D H Craig' Tourbillon
With the German border surrounding it on three sides, the Swiss town of Schaffhausen exhibits more than a little of its neighbour's dedication to engineering perfection. With a motto like 'Probus Scafusia'—loosely translated from Latin as 'Pride of Schaffhausen'—it's no wonder that this excellence filters into watchmaker IWC. As if to prove that point, IWC has just announced the stunning Portugieser Tourbillon 'D. H. Craig' IW546306 limited edition.
Quick PSA—IWC has changed the name of its Portuguese collection to Portugieser (no matter how much spellcheck disagrees), something that came about with the 75th anniversary of the collection earlier in 2016. With it has come a bounty of flagship timepieces, and this 'D. H. Craig' Tourbillon is a prime example.
The open heart tourbillon at nine o'clock is the most striking feature of the watch, balanced by the signature of IWC founder F. A. Jones on the opposite side. The tourbillon is of the flying variety, with a minute's travel for a full revolution. It's a glimpse of the inspiration behind the watch, the Jones 2N Pattern H caliber, which featured an engraved tribute to Daniel Hastings Craig, uncle and investor to F. A. Jones.
This calibre 98900 is a masterpiece in its own right, with concentric engraved circles decorating its Germanic three-quarter plate, and the company's motto standing in proud relief on the rear of the tourbillon itself. 21 jewels and a power reserve of 54 hours complete the spec of the movement.
As a nod to the age of F. A. Jones when he founded IWC, the 'D. H. Craig' edition is limited to 27 pieces, all cased in rose gold and sized at a modern 43mm. To wrap up the whole bundle, the watch comes fitted on a leather strap made by famed Italian shoemaker Santoni.
