Earlier today Ed Sheeran stepped out on stage for his concert in Australia (Melbourne is 11-hours ahead so it was the evening there) with a brand-new watch on his wrist. The horophile singer-songwriter was given the honour of revealing the new IWC Portugieser Chronograph Ceratanium before anyone else, including us! However, not to be outdone, we are hosting the official launch celebrations with Oracle Time members at the IWC flagship Boutique on Bond Street this evening – sign up to become a member for a chance to attend events like this in future.
The watch itself is a brooding, dark interpretation of IWC’s most dressy chronograph. Previously this model was only available in the bright luxury of gold as well as less precious but still shiny steel. Now it’s in black Ceratanium, IWC’s proprietary titanium alloy that once fired in a kiln has the hardness and scratch resistance of ceramic. It instantly changes the character of the watch, adding a bit of bite to the design making it feel at home on any race circuit as well as any gala.
Paired with this new case is an equally dark display. A clean, black dial forms the base with matching snailed chronograph counters along with black hands and Arabic hour markers for a completely blacked out design. It’s reminiscent of the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Top Gun Ceratanium from 2022. Full black displays like this lean heavily into the style of the design rather than relying on traditional codes of legibility, becoming more a style accessory than practical timekeeper. Though as IWC have been exploring concepts like this for year, it remains reasonable readable too.
Below the dial is the calibre 69355 automatic with 46-hour power reserve. It has central hours, minutes and chronograph seconds along with a small seconds subdial at 6 o’clock and a 30-minute timer at 12. It’s visible through the exhibition caseback where you can also see its skeletonised rotor and perlage finishing. It has a dark, anthracite grey finish to tie it into the rest of the all black design.
For pricing and availability, the IWC Portugieser Chronograph Ceratanium is a limited edition of 1,500 pieces (presumably with at least one of those somewhere in the vicinity of Ed Sheeran’s wrist at the moment). It’s priced at £12,000, putting it as the mid-point between the existing steel and gold models. An exciting watch to see in the metal, which Oracle Time members will have a chance to do at tonight’s event.
Price and Specs:
More details at IWC.
Thank you for a great evening. The watch is a clear statement piece. It was great to see it in the metal, or is that Ceramic? It has a great weight and feel to it on the wrist, and I wonder how it would look and feel with a black leather strap as opposed to the rubber one it comes with -perhaps that would give it an additional level of elevation. I would say it was readable under showroom lights and would probably be good for most daylight situations. I just wouldn’t want to be anywhere where the light was low and be desperate to know the time