1990s IWC Portuguese Minute Repeater 18ct Gold 42mm IW5240

Here we have a rare 1990s IWC Portuguese Minute Repeater IW5240 limited to 059/250 pieces; this incredible timepiece was introduced in 1995 and remained in production until 2005. A curvaceous 42mm 18ct Yellow Gold round case sits comfortably on your wrist thanks to the finely tapered lugs, and its curved flanks lead to a lug-to-lug length of 51mm and a case thickness of 12.5mm, giving the watch an impressive wrist presence. On the left side, you find the slider mechanism; you need to depress the slide fully to activate the finely tuned striking mechanism; otherwise, the repeater will not be activated. The hour chime is marked by a deep, resonant tone that signifies the time. At the stroke of 12 o’clock, a series of 12 distinct chimes resound, each one echoing throughout the space. As the clock strikes 1 o’clock, one solitary chime rings out, followed by a count of two chimes at 2 o’clock, three chimes at 3 o’clock, and so on, each hour punctuated by its corresponding number of chimes. The quarter chime is characterised by a rich dual tone that offers a melodic touch to the passing of time. Interestingly, there is no chime for the first quarter hour immediately after a full hour. However, as we move into the second quarter, a single harmonious dual-tone chime fills the air, followed by two dual-tone chimes for the third quarter. This pattern continues, adding a rhythmic pulse to our awareness of the minutes passing. On the right side is a coin-edged crown. The smooth bezel holds a domed plexiglass crystal above a silver dial. Outer gold pips surround gold Arabic numeral indices marking the hours; at 9 o’clock, we have the small seconds precisely executed, next to the elegant 18ct yellow gold leaf hands; at 12 o’clock, we have the original flamboyant IWC motif, completing this sophisticated Minute Repeater timepiece. On the reverse, an exhibition case back with the details of the watch and a limited number engraved around its edge, showcasing a manually wound IWC Cal. 95290, 54 jewels, beating at a leisurely 18,000 beats per hour, beautifully decorated in Côtes de Genève and made up of 295 Components. It comes paired with its 22mm Alligator leather strap, secured by an 18ct yellow gold pin buckle, plus a new IWC strap in the box, and comes with its IWC presentation box (cushion flaking as usual), swing tag and unsigned IWC paperwork.

This watch is sold with its original IWC presentation box (cushion flaking as usual), swing tag and unsigned IWC paperwork; it comes from Circa. Late 1990s/Early 2000s. It comes paired with its 22mm Alligator leather strap, secured by an 18ct yellow gold pin buckle, plus a new IWC strap in the box. The watch is in worn condition but overall is in very fair condition with even patina on the gold, as you can see from the photographs. The watch comes with our 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty.

This is the first Minute Repeater I have been fortunate enough to bring to the website for sale and what an example it is too. This is the IWC Portuguese Minute Repeater, reference IW5240 in 18ct yellow gold and limited to just 250 pieces total. This reference features the earlier full logo in their beautiful typeface, a big win in my books making the watch look even better on and off the wrist. Then you flip the watch over to be presented with the large manually wound IWC Cal. 95290, a watch worth sitting and admiring under a loupe. The star of the show is undeniably the Minute Repeater itself and it does not disappoint. This is one well worth booking an appointment to see in the metal and hear that Minute Repeater for yourself, so do not hesitate to book today whilst the watch is still available!

Reference : IW5240-01
Movement : Manually Wound IWC Cal. 95290
Age : Circa. 1990s
Year : Circa. 1990s
Case Size : 42mm
Case Thickness : 12.5mm
Lug to Lug : 51mm
Lugs : 22mm
Condition : Pre-Owned
Box and Papers : Box & Papers
Case Material : 18ct Yellow Gold
Warranty : 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty
The wrist model's wrist size is 7inch

Florentine Aristo Jones founded IWC in 1868. In 1867, he applied for a European passport with the ambition to create watches using the American system of Watchmaking. This system was derived from the Federal Armories at Springfield and Harpers Ferry. Where high-precision interchangeable parts were needed for armaments. This was perfect to use in watchmaking, and Florentine was a pioneer in introducing it to the Swiss. In 1868, Florentine and Charles Kidder ended up in  Schaffhausen, Switzerland. Originally called the company F. A Jones & Co, which was later changed to IWC International Watch Company. Florentine returned to the USA in 1876, where he retired and sadly passed away in 1916. His spirit carries on today in the modern IWC watches. The IWC Portugieser was first introduced way back in 1939 when two businessmen, Rodrigues and Texeira, visited the factory in Schaffhausen. They had an unusual request: they required a marine chronometer in the form of a wristwatch.  IWC got to work and created a 43mm, stainless steel watch with a hand-wound Cal.74 pocket watch movement. This was very large for the time, with 33mm being the norm for a wristwatch. It had Arabic numerals, an almost non-existent bezel, and slim leaf-shaped hands, a seconds subdial at 6 o’clock. Only 304 pieces were ever created with the Cal.74 movement. Since then, the IWC Portugieser has become one of IWC's most iconic and best-selling.