IWC unveils the all-black Portugieser Chronograph Ceratanium – first worn by Ed Sheeran
A sharper, moodier take on the classic 41mm icon
TONIGHT IN MELBOURNE, before most people have even properly seen it, Ed Sheeran stepped on stage wearing IWC Schaffhausen’s new all-black Portugieser Chronograph.
There’s always a first for everything – and for the Portugieser, this is it. Its first all-black execution. The first time it’s been rendered entirely in IWC’s patented material Ceratanium®. And rather than debuting quietly in a showroom, it’s landing under stadium lights.
The Portugieser has always been about proportion. Those clean lines. The vertically aligned subdials – you get the gist. It’s a design that hasn’t needed much adjusting since 1998 – and that’s exactly why this shift works.
When everything is black – the 41mm case, the dial, the appliques, even the hands – your eye goes straight to shape. The watch feels architectural and chic in the best way.
Ceratanium®, for those who like the finer details, is IWC’s own blend of titanium and ceramic. It carries the lightness of titanium with the hardness and scratch resistance of ceramic, and it’s heat-treated to achieve that matte metallic finish.
The crown and pushers are crafted in the same material, so the whole thing reads as one cohesive, almost monolithic form. It also absorbs light, which gives it a slightly moodier presence on the wrist.
Inside sits the 69355 calibre – a column-wheel chronograph movement that’s robust, reliable and satisfyingly mechanical. There’s a 46-hour power reserve, and the pushers deliver that crisp, deliberate click that always gives away a well-built chronograph. Technical, yes, but it’s also extremely wearable.
And styling-wise, that’s where it really works. On the black rubber strap, it leans sporty – easy with relaxed tailoring or something more off-duty. Yet it holds its own with a suit. The monochrome keeps it clean, sleek, and of course, sharp.
Limited to 1,500 pieces, it’s the kind of watch that slowly makes its way onto your wishlist.
Discover the Portugieser Chronograph Ceratanium® at iwc.com.
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