IWC Portugieser Chronograph Ceratanium
I remember the year was 1998 and I was in Portugal with IWC as the brand unveiled its first Portugieser Chronograph. It was a real departure for the collection — now with a chronograph complication. At the time, some colleagues were skeptic about adding a chronograph to an iconic time-only line. But I saw it differently. Adding a chronograph was not a detour; it was a statement. The Portugieser was never meant to be time-only, and more than two decades later, IWC’s vision continues to be strong: the chronograph has become inseparable from the Portugieser’s identity. Now, the brand continues its pioneering spirit within the series with the all new Portugieser Chronograph Ceratanium® watch.
While I am typically not a fan of all-black watches because I like to glance at my wrist and see the time immediately, and most monotone watches don’t enable that, this one has strong stealth appeal. The 41mm size makes it wearable and the Ceratanium(R) makes it durable but sophisticated.
The back of the IWC Portugieser Chronograph Ceratanium
So, it seems, IWC is rewriting the rulebook again with this Portugieser Chronograph Ceratanium®—a bold, all-black iteration of one of its most recognizable designs. The case, crown, and pushers are crafted from Ceratanium®, IWC’s proprietary material that merges titanium’s lightness with ceramic-level hardness. Fired at high temperatures, Ceratanium® takes on a dark, metallic sheen that is both stealthy and sophisticated.
The black-on-black treatment continues across the dial, hands, and appliqués. Applied Arabic numerals and the quarter-second scale rise subtly from the black surface, creating depth without distraction. A black rubber strap with a geometric square pattern completes the monolithic look, giving the watch a modern edge without sacrificing comfort.
IWC Portugieser Chronograph Ceratanium(R)
Inside, the watch is powered by IWC’s in-house calibre 69355, a mechanical chronograph engineered for reliability and longevity. The column-wheel-controlled chronograph delivers stopwatch function, minutes, seconds and small hacking seconds, while the automatic double-pawl winding system builds a 46-hour power reserve. The sapphire caseback offers a view of the movement’s architecture—a quiet counterpoint to the watch’s bold exterior.
Limited to 1,500 pieces, the Portugieser Chronograph Ceratanium® proves that even a design as timeless as the Portugieser can evolve. It’s sporty, elegant, and unapologetically a dark horse.
IWC Portugieser Chronograph Ceratanium(R)
