It 39;s Beautiful Now Where To Watch

[Julia Kozub]

Inthe complex world of vintage watch collecting, only a handful of timepieces have kept a true iconic status through ages. Among these watches is one of the most important watches of its time : The IWC Portugieser Reference 325. With its timeless design and fascinating history, the Reference 325 has become the patient zero for the renowned Portugieser watch family, a long-lasting story to who we owe, several decades later, some of the most beautiful pieces made by IWC...

To understand the genesis of the famed Portuguese wristwatch, we must journey back to the times surrounding its creation : In the 1930s, the Swiss watchmaking industry, including IWC, faced economic and political challenges due to the political fluctuations in Europe. Switzerland being a neutral country depending mostly on exports, the economic situation was not so good, which lead to a huge decrease of sales between 1929 and 1932. So, like many other watch companies, IWC had to look for new markets and opportunities.

With that in mind, the brand started to launch a huge variety of unique designs, mostly Art-Deco inspired, but also enamel dials with shapes and geometric details. In parallel of those collections, IWC launched a curious pocket watch bearing the name "Portugieser", whose design was opposite to what they were used to do : The dial was very simple, functional and widely inspired from the modernist theories of Bauhaus.

According to IWC archives, it's in this context that the brand received a request from two Portuguese wholesalers, Rodrigues and Antonio Teixeira, looking to expand their business abroad. IWC's response was a bespoke watch that fulfilled their desired criterias... The IWC Portugieser 325.

Keep in mind for the future that even if we now use this number, the watch never really had an "official" name or reference number. The legend says one of IWC watchmakers reffered to the watch with this nickname, and the brand decided to stick with it!

The IWC Portugieser Reference 325 boasted a classic and modern design, ahead of its time : While the average standards for a wristwatch were comprized between 30 and 35 millimeters, this watch featured a 41,5mm diameter, something never seen before! The case was in three parts, with a grooved bezel and an oversized crown for ease of winding. There was a diverse range of dial variations, featuring arabic numbers and sometimes a sector dial.

As stated in Bauhaus theory, "form over function", the watch was one of the most legible pieces you could have on your wrist : The dial was minimalistic, the numbers were big with no frills and the small second was slightly oversized for comfort.

The scarcity of the IWC Reference 325 comes from its relatively low sales, particularly during its early years. The watch's large size, at a time when smaller diameters were prevalent, may have limited its appeal to some potential buyers.

The craziest thing with this watch however, is that it was produced in only 690 examples on over 40 years, and according to IWC Archives, the first series made between 1939 and 1951 were only made in 304 pieces!

The IWC Portugieser Reference 325 stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of classic design and horological craftsmanship. Its historical significance, combined with its scarcity, has elevated the watch to an highly esteemed status among collectors. While its early years were marked by very limited sales, the Reference 325 has since found recognition and appreciation from IWC enthusiasts worldwide, and can be easily described as one of the most legendary IWC piece ever made... After all, this watch was decades ahead of its time, and it's because of this legend that IWC still makes the Portugieser today!

The Beautiful Watch is specialized in the trade of vintage luxury watches with recognized experience in the international market of collectible watches. With boutiques in Monaco, Paris, Geneva, Saint-Tropez and Courchevel, The Beautiful Watch curates a distinctive selection of appealing rare and vintage watches that can be found on the watch secondary market.

Italian brand Venezianico introduces the new Nereide Madreperla model, which combines the glitter of mother-of-pearl and the durability of tungsten. Nereide Madreperla watches will be available with a rubber strap and a Canova bracelet.

The Venezianico watch is characterised by its mother-of-pearl dial, which is renowned for its iridescent beauty and glittering reflections that adapt to the surrounding light. Derived from sea shells, mother-of-pearl gives the dial a captivating range of unique shades and reflections, creating a fascinating and suggestive visual experience. The use of this material gives vibrant reflections to the watch, causing the surface of the dial to come alive with a captivating blend of colours and shades. Mother of pearl adds natural luminosity to the dial, creating an effect that gives the accessory an exceptional and captivating charm.

Mother-of-pearl, with its captivating variety of shades and textures, is a unique, natural material. After meticulous selection, it is finely polished to produce a smooth and uniform surface. It is then shaped into a perfectly round disc. Through a gentle dyeing process, the desired green colour is achieved while maintaining the integrity of the material. After passing a rigorous quality control, the production enters the final phase where the holes are drilled and the indices are carefully applied. Producing a dial with these characteristics requires a complex process and the expertise of highly skilled craftsmen.

The caseback of the watch features an intricately engraved depiction of the Nereide submarine, serving as a symbolic representation of a groundbreaking era. In 1913, the launch of this submarine in Venice marked a remarkable feat as it ventured into the uncharted depths of the ocean, signifying one of the most daring and perilous challenges of its time. To ensure utmost comfort right from the first wear, the watch comes with a comfortable rubber strap that offers exceptional wrist comfort. Those looking for a more sophisticated look can opt for the elegant Canova steel bracelet.

The 42mm case is made of 316L stainless steel. The mother-of-pearl dial is protected from external influences by sapphire glass with anti-reflective coating. The model comes with a 120-click rotating bezel with a tungsten insert. The watch is powered by the Swiss automatic movement Selita SW200-1. With a water resistance rating of 20 ATM, the watch is suitable for swimming and free diving. The model will soon be available on Watchard.com!

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Massive glaciers, staggering mountains, plains dotted with wild animals: Our planet sure is incredible. In fact, when looking at the most beautiful places in the world, it can feel impossible to decide where to visit next. The islands of Southeast Asia? The deserts of the Middle East? How about the countless travel-worthy sites right here in the United States?

Roughly 900 miles off the coast of Lisbon, this Portuguese archipelago can inspire wanderlust with a single photo. The verdant valleys, steep oceanside cliffs, rows of blue hydrangeas, and scattering of waterfalls make the Azores a paradise worth exploring. Just make sure you visit before everyone you know beats you to it.

Located on the False Bay Coastline about 17 miles south of Table Mountain, Boulders Beach shows off the famously beautiful landscapes of Cape Town: bright blue water, granite boulders, and even penguins. Many people swim here just a few feet away from the adorable African penguin community, but feel free to just sit back and admire the sprawling coastline as well.

These striped, multicolored mountains are Mother Nature's answer to Photoshop. Red sandstone and mineral deposits have been stacking in China's Danxia Landform Geological Park for more than 20 million years, causing the surreal layered effect.

Ha Long Bay, located in northeast Vietnam, is beloved for its blue waters and spread of limestone islands, all occupied by tropical trees and wildlife. Board a Chinese junk boat to experience the beauty (and associated myths and stories) of the mist-shrouded emerald basin for yourself.

There's a reason Lake Bled is one of Slovenia's most popular sites. With its emerald waters, vistas of the surrounding Julien Alps, and Disney-like castle high on a hill, you won't be short of picture-perfect views if you venture here.

The geography of Brazil's Lenis Maranhenses National Park is like nothing else on the planet. The rainy season (which hits around early June) fills every trough with water. The effect is not unlike an M.C. Escher print: the scene resembles either a drowned desert or a sandy lake, depending on how your mind's eye frames what it's seeing.

New Zealand is no stranger to breathtaking landscapes, particularly on the west coast of the South Island. Case in point: Milford Sound, a mountainous fjord where you can live out all of your Lord of the Rings fantasies.

As a destination on Europe's Iberian Peninsula, Spain is renowned for its island paradises and semi-remote sand beaches. We're particularly big fans of Playa de Las Catedrales, a small stretch of sand on the Galician coast where natural stone arches form a walkable "cathedral" at low tide.

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