Introducing The IWC Portugieser Automatic 40 Salmon Dial

If you’re a recurring reader of MONOCHROME, you should know by now that we have a soft spot for salmon-coloured dials. So much so that it was the main theme of our very first Montre de Souscription. Salmon is original, warm, and luxurious, and despite the outpouring of love from the watch-collecting community, these dials remain quite rare… An exclusive treat for connoisseurs. Now, it’s time for the most classic of all IWC Portugieser models to receive such as dial with the introduction of the new Portugieser Automatic 40 Salmon. First exclusive to the UAE, but no worries, it’ll soon be available worldwide. 

Let’s make this story short… Because all you need to know here is that there’s a salmon dial on the existing Portugieser Automatic 40, combined with a stainless steel case. That’s it. But sometimes, small updates can create beautiful watches. And, sorry to sound enthusiastic (I love salmon dials, I can’t help it), but seeing a salmon-toned dial on the handsome, reasonably sized Portugieser is quite a treat.

A watch already available in multiple colours – silver dial with blued or golden accents, blue dial, green dial or even a red dial to celebrate the Year of the Rabbit – IWC has decided to give its Portugieser Automatic 40 the classic look we love on a pinkish watch. And that means a sunray-brushed base for the dial, a salmon colour obtained with a rose gold treatment, rhodium-plated hands and markers and a steel case to bring the desired cold contrast. And a black alligator strap, which is a bit too classic for me, but that’s not the most difficult part to change on a watch… A taupe grey strap will complement this dial much better.

Other than that, no changes are to be reported. We’re still looking at the same watch as before with a 40.4mm case in brushed and polished steel, a 12.4mm height and a limited water-resistance of 30m. Sapphire crystals frame the watch, and a folding clasp closes the strap. The dial retains the same applied markers, a railroad minute track, and the elegantly shaped leaf hands. Small seconds, no-date, clean and timeless, and plenty of space for the salmon colour. Inside the case is the mid-range calibre 82200, a modern movement produced in-house by IWC with a Pellaton automatic winding system, ceramic parts for durability and a comfortable 60h power reserve.

The new IWC Portugieser Automatic 40 Salmon Dial reference IW358313 will first be available exclusively in UAE as of February 2023 and then worldwide from April 2023 through boutiques and retailers. It will be priced at EUR 7,600. For more details, please visit www.iwc.com.