IWC’s Portugieser Automatic Edition Kuwait – the watch and beyond

IWC Schaffhausen and retail partner Behbehani Group have launched the Portugieser Automatic Edition “Kuwait” to celebrate their successful partnership. We offer you a glimpse of the watch and the inner workings that resulted in the edition through snippets of our interview with Mehdi Rajan, Head of Sales, IWC Middle East

Premier watch brand IWC Schaffhausen traces its roots back to 1868, when Boston watchmaker Florentine Ariosto Jones founded the “International Watch Co.” in Schaffhausen. He planned to bring together progressive American production techniques with the skilled craftsmanship for which Swiss watchmakers were renowned.

Now, in a further blend of the East and the West, the Haute Horlogerie marque has unveiled a limited edition of the Portugieser Automatic for Kuwait. The timepiece has a green dial and is limited to only 98 pieces – a special reference to the year the relationship between IWC and the Behbehani Group began.

In 1998, IWC Schaffhausen and the Behbehani Group started working together to bring the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer’s haute horlogerie timepieces to Kuwaiti watch lovers. Since then, the collaboration has expanded to include various points of sale. As a thank you to their loyal and discerning customers in Kuwait, IWC, together with the Behbehani Group, is presenting a special limited-edition Portugieser watch that will be available exclusively at their boutique in the 360 Mall in Kuwait.

The Portugieser Automatic Edition “Kuwait” has a stainless-steel case with a diameter of 42.3 MM and a green dial. The golden numerals and hands contrast nicely with the dial. The watch is limited to just 98 pieces, which is a reference to the year when IWC and the Behbehani Group started their partnership in the Gulf state. The timepiece features a power reserve display at 3 o’clock and a small hacking seconds display at 9 o’clock. A black alligator leather strap from Santoni complements the elegant appearance.

Why the choice of green colour for the dial of the Kuwait Edition?
“The colour green is because of the requests from many of our Kuwaiti clients. We come here regularly and interact a lot with our clients. Green is the colour of hope; an important colour in Kuwaiti culture and is featured in the national flag as well. It took a lot of discussion with our clients and our retail partner Behbehani Group here.

We are fortunate that we have a close relationship with the family here and could interact with them to decide on the design features – golden or steel numerals, black or brown strap, etc.  At the end of a few months of discussion, we found a good recipe of the brand DNA, our aesthetic codes, and the unique cultural specificity of Kuwait. Kuwaitis are strong watch connoisseurs and we see this in our watch today.”

The timepiece is powered by the IWC-manufactured 52010 calibre. The Pellaton automatic winding system builds up a power reserve of 7 days when the two barrels are fully wound. The medallion on the rotor bears the initial “B”, which is another reference to the Behbehani Group.

Is the movement an in-house one?
“Yes, the 52010 calibre movement is made completely in house. It is a completely re-visited movement we re-introduced a year-and-half ago. It has a 7-day power reserve, with double barrel ceramic parts, white ceramic in the centre of the watch, with a lot of black ceramic and transparent. It is a completely new Portugieser movement that we have re-launched.”

Why did you choose the Portugieser for the Kuwait edition?
“We have five strong pillars in our collections – we have the Pilot’s, the Portugieser, the Aquatimer, the Portofino, and the Ingenieur. We started brainstorming with members of the Behbehani family, who were very involved with the design process. As this is the first time we are doing a Kuwait edition, we decided to do it with the strongest pillar of our brand and the Portugieser is without doubt our most iconic watch.

Once we decided on the Portugieser, we started looking at the different watches in the collection. We chose the 7 Days because it is iconic, and because we are very proud to present a movement from our own Manufacture.

The 7 Days is a very good everyday watch; you don’t find a 7 Days Double Barrel so easily. It is a good watch for active men; that is why we have launched it in steel as well. All of these factors added up to make the 7 Day Portugieser the natural choice.”

Can you tell us a little bit about the relationship between IWC Schaffhausen and the Behbehani Group?
“They are very good partners and we are very close to the family. We are very fortunate that Mr. Ali Morad Behbehani, the President, and, in fact, the entire family are dear friends and partners. We have been working together since 1998. It is easy to work with them because they are passionate about what they do. They might have a lot of businesses but they are passionate about watchmaking, so it very interesting and enriching to interact, collaborate and work with people who share the same passion. It is a partnership that has been doing very well in the past and will continue for a very long time.”