This new Portugieser Tourbillon Rétrograde Chronograph will be a stylish companion for Hamilton as he celebrates on the podium or makes the rounds at Fashion Week (Photo: IWC)
The merging of motorsport- and watchmaking-inspired products has proven to be quite the trend in the last couple of years. Swiss luxury watchmaker IWC Schaffhausen is not new to the game, though. The manufacturer has been collaborating with numerous individuals in this realm, including Lewis Hamilton, for over a decade.
As IWC Schaffhausen’s ambassador since 2013, the seven-time Formula One world champion first worked with the brand for a limited-edition watch in 2014. After their second collaboration in 2019, the partners teamed up again for another groundbreaking creation — this time producing the Portugieser Tourbillon Rétrograde Chronograph Lewis Hamilton.
“His passion for IWC and comprehensive knowledge of mechanical watches were palpable at every stage of the two-year development process. Lewis knew exactly what he wanted and brought excellent ideas to the table.
“The result is a timepiece that combines his unerring sense of aesthetics and love of bold colours with some of the finest watchmaking technology ever developed in Schaffhausen,” says Christian Knoop, chief design officer of IWC Schaffhausen.
Combining sporty features with excellent mechanisms, the 43.5mm chronograph is made from platinum and complemented with a teal dial embellished with 12 sparkling diamonds. Attention is immediately drawn to the flying hacking minute tourbillon at 6 o’clock, designed to reduce the influence of gravity on the oscillating system, ensuring maximum accuracy.
Powered by the IWC-manufactured 89900 calibre, the Portugieser Tourbillon Rétrograde Chronograph Lewis Hamilton is available in only 44 pieces, a number that reflects the races Hamilton has participated in since the start of his illustrious career.
This article first appeared on Oct 2, 2023 in The Edge Malaysia.
