The Portugieser Sidérale Scafusia is one of the most complicated watches in the world of Haute Horlogerie from IWC Schaffhausen. Ten years of research and development were required to produce this impressive masterpiece. A complex team of watchmakers and specialists that include watchmakers such as Jean-François Mojon, Stefan Ihnen, Mario Klein, and Stefan Brass was required to complete this masterpiece of horology.
The fascination with this timepiece lies in the number and combination of its complications. The constant-force tourbillon is the most obvious highlight. But squeezed into very little room on the back of the watch is a star chart together with displays for the horizon and geographical coordinates, solar time, sidereal time, sunrise and sunset times, as well as a display that shows daytime, nighttime, and twilight. And we should also mention the fact that there’s a complete, integrated perpetual calendar behind the number of the day of the year.
Things to Know About the Watch
The IWC Portugieser Sidérale Scafusia features a generous case in platinum measuring 46 mm in diameter and 17.5 mm in thickness. The watch features a rhodium-plated dial with a black globe with meridians at the center of the dial and applied Arabic numerals in the traditional Portugieser style. The sidereal time is displayed at 12 o’clock along with a 90-hour power reserve indicator between 4 and 5 o’clock. At the 9 o’clock position, an integrated constant-force tourbillon takes the center stage and offers a breathtaking spectacle.
Apart from the development time and the impressive dimensions of the movement, the calibre has other distinctive features that set it apart. The star chart and the horizon, together with the times of sunrise and sunset, are calculated and displayed as stipulated by the customer. Also on the back, a Perpetual Calendar with a leap year display and absolute day of the year complement the celestial chart showing the horizon in conjunction with sunrise and sunset together with displays for day, night, and twilight. Additionally, the back displays the ecliptic and celestial equator.
The movement powering the IWC Portugieser Sidérale Scafusia is the IWC in-house calibre 94900. This 56-jewel manual wound movement provides a power reserve of 96 hours —4 days— while beating at a frequency of 18,000 vph.
The watch is delivered on a black alligator strap with white contrast stitching and secured by a double-folding clasp with the IWC Probus Scafusia in platinum.
On the Wrist & Price
On the wrist, the IWC Portugieser Sidérale Scafusia wears slightly smaller than its actual size and more like a 44 mm case size. This is for sure the most complicated watch ever created by IWC and a true masterpiece of horology. With its elegant look and a ton of celestial information paired with a constant force tourbillon, the Portugieser Sidérale Scafusia is reserved for those that are true lovers of high horology and is produced in very limited quantities.
Sticker Price CHF 750,000 Swiss Francs —approximately $805,000 USD. For more info on IWC click here.
