This IWC timepiece features a burgundy dial and a rabbit on the back

IWC Schaffhausen has always known a thing or two about celebrating and in grand fashion too. Now to usher in the beginning of the Year of the Water Rabbit, the brand is once again giving us a timepiece as grand as ever in the form of the Portugieser Automatic 40 Edition “Chinese New Year.”

This elegant and timeless watch is an ergonomic 40-millimetre stainless steel case that features a eye-catching burgundy dial with gold-plated watch hands and appliques. However, the most notable part of this IWC watch has to be rabbit shaped, gold-plated oscillating weight of the automatic winding mechanism.

IWC Schaffhausen has never been one to shy away from tradition and this new watch honors that tradition through the rabbit. The Year of the Water Rabbit starts on 22 January 2023 and will last until 9 February 2024 and the rabbit is commonly known as the luckiest of the twelve animals in the zodiac.

The colour red symbolizes longevity, happiness and success in Chinese culture and is also believed to bring good luck. This is why we see people mainly wear red during the Lunar New Year and why the colour chosen for the dial was burgundy. This is another traditional aspect added to this very modern watch.

Peter Lao, Managing Director of IWC Schaffhausen Mainland China, said, “We are thrilled to welcome the Chinese New Year with a special timepiece. The Portugieser Automatic 40 brings back the clean and crisp design of the first Portugieser from 1939, which was also a Rabbit Year. With its timelessly modern and classic design, this limited edition perfectly represents the calm and peacefulness we associate with this zodiac animal.”

Naturally, this timeless timepiece will be limited to only 500 pieces. These beautiful masterpiece of horology will be made available at the IWC Tmall Flagship Store and IWC WeBoutique and will come in two strap colours, one in black and the other in a burgundy colour gradation. Both straps will be made from calfskin.

Fancy a lucky watch for the new year? Hop over to the Official IWC Schaffhausen Website.