2020 is the year of the Portugieser as IWC releases multiple updates and models in the line up. Another great addition is the 42mm Perpetual Calendar! In the past, the Perpetual Calendar has always been in the 44.2mm case and 14+mm tall with precious metal materials. The main reason for the large size is due to the large 52000 family movement with its 7 day power reserve and twin barrel.
The new models doesn’t have the 7 day power reserve but the caliber 82650 is no slouch with its 60 hour power reserve and pellaton system with ceramic pawl bearings.
The smaller movement also decreases the thickness of the watch from 14.9 to 13.8 while the case diameter shrinks to, as the name suggests, 42.4mm. Allowing this to be much more wearable watch on a daily basis and more fitting due to its more elegant design.
In addition to this, the watch is also unusual in that it doesn’t use a small seconds hand as with most perpetual calendars but instead, a central seconds hand. Another welcome change is the lack of the digital year but instead a leap year indicator in day display at 9. Gone are the double moon for north and south hemisphere but a single moon at 6. Despite this change, the moon disc is still accurate for only 1 day deviation after 577.5 years (!).
As mentioned previously, this new model comes with a stainless steel variant as well as gold cases.
The steel model retails for $22,900 while the gold models retails for 32,900 and will be available in authorize retailers and boutiques after June.
More info here