Important Modern and Vintage Timepieces
New York, Mar 10, 2011
LOT 216
IWC Platinum Portuguese 2000 International Watch Co., Schaffhausen, "Portuguese Automatic 2000," No. 135/250, case No. 2752086, Ref. 5000. Made in a limited edition of 250 pieces in platinum in 2000 in celebration of the new millennium. Very fine and rare, large, self-winding, platinum wristwatch with 7-day power reserve and an IWC platinum buckle. Accompanied by the original fitted box, guarantee and instruction booklet. To be sold without reserve
USD 12,000 - 18,000
CHF 12,000 - 18,000 / EUR 9,000 - 13,000
Sold: USD 27,500
C. Three-body, polished and brushed, concave bezel, concave lugs, transparent case back. D. Frosted silver with applied white gold Arabic numerals, outer dot minute indexes, subsidiary dials for the seconds and power-reserve indication. White gold feuille hands. M. Cal. 5000, rhodium-plated, fausses cotes decoration, 44 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to 5 positions, shock absorber, self-compensating Breguet balance spring, micrometer regulator, patented Pellaton winding mechanism, rotor with inset 18K gold signature medallion. Dial and movement signed, case numbered. Diam. 42 mm. Thickness 14 mm.
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: AAA |
Excellent |
Case: 1 |
As new |
Movement: 1 |
As new |
Dial: 1-01 |
As new HANDS Original |
Notes
In the late 1930s, two Portuguese businessmen, Rodrigues and Teixeira, ordered a wristwatch with marine chronometer-like qualities from IWC. The company responded to what then a rather unusual request by producing a watch which housed pocket watch movement Cal. 74, in a large case. Thus was created the famous "Portuguese" watch, IWC?s instantly recognizable icon. Between 1939 and 1981 only 669 "Portuguese" watches were produced. It was not until 1993 that the Portuguese was launched as the "Jubilee" model, in celebration of the company?s 125th anniversary. An instant success, the Portuguese line was extended in the following years. In 200 the Portuguese 2000 was launched, featuring the newly developed Cal. 5000, combining cutting edge technology and materials. The Cal. 5000 self-winding mechanism is based on Albert Pellaton?s automatic winding system.. Pellaton joined IWC in 1944 as Technical Director and became the driving force behind many innovations. After 4 years of development, the "Portuguese 2000" was launched at the Basel Fair in 2000. It was the only large automatic caliber of its kind. With a power-reserve of 168 hours, or 7 days, it runs with consistent accuracy. The Pellaton winding mechanism ensures a minimal amount of friction while optimizing kinetic energy. This makes it a highly efficient self-winding system with minimal tear and wear.
The Portuguese 2000 was produced as follows: 250 timepieces in platinum and 750 in 18K pink gold, both with silver-colored dials. 1000 were made in stainless steel with black dials. The first 100 watches in each metal were sold as exclusive sets of 3, numbered 1 - 100. Unlike other IWC limited editions, this platinum version consisted of only 250 watches rather than 500, making this a much rarer timepiece.