From the asphalt to the watchmaker’s bench, Lewis Hamilton’s latest podium comes in the vein of the IWC Portugieser Tourbillon Rétrograde Chronograph. An extraordinary collaboration between IWC Schaffhausen and the seven-time Formula One™ world champion introduces a masterpiece that marries precision and performance with style.
Clad in a platinum case, the watch reflects Hamilton’s unerring sense of aesthetics and love of bold colours. A teal-coloured dial adorned with 12 shimmering diamonds radiates opulence and sophistication. A subtle sunburst sheen blankets the dial, creating a visually captivating sculptural effect enhanced by the recessed chronograph and the retrograde date displays. The star of the dial, however, is the flying tourbillon. Beyond its aesthetical charm, the complication enhances the watch’s accuracy by counteracting the effects of gravity on the oscillating system. Hamilton’s logo, resembling a panther’s eyes, acts as the icing on the cake.
Underneath this luxurious exterior lies the IWC-manufactured 89900 calibre replete with gold-plated movement components, a first since IWC’s legendary “Il Destriero Scafusia” from 1993. The movement powers two other complications — a chronograph and retrograde date display. Given the watch’s massive power consumption, the Diamond Shell® coated silicone pallet lever and escape wheel increase the movement’s efficiency, resulting in a generous power reserve of 68 hours. Only 44 pieces of the IWC Portugieser Tourbillon Rétrograde Chronograph are created as a nod to Hamilton’s number since the beginning of his incredible career.
