By Adam Keith, Associate Timepiece Editor for ViaLuxe

Swiss manufacture IWC continues its theme of luxury watches for worthy causes and proudly presents its fourth special edition timepiece in the "IWC-Laureus Sport for Good Foundation" series.  Using as its basis the IWC Portuguese Automatic watch, this model presents the brilliant blue dial and leather strap which signifies the work of Laureus in offering youth around the world positive alternatives to the vicious cycles of violence, drug addiction, disease, and abject poverty.   IWC and the Laureus Foundation first collaborated in 2006, and each year since have debuted a limited series timepiece to commemorate the partnership. 

The IWC Portuguese Automatic Edition Laureus Sport For Good Foundation watch will be offered in an edition of 1,000 pieces; each timepiece features a special caseback displaying an engraved number within the series, and a "team spirit" medallion depicting children with arms interlinked.  This image, the work of a 12-year old Sri Lankan boy, was chosen from drawings submitted to Laureus from children across the globe.  Not merely a touching symbol, it presents a tacit reminder that partial proceeds from each Laureus-edition IWC timepiece sold go towards funding dozens of worldwide Laureus projects devoted to at-risk youth.

Technical specifications are the same as that of the regular edition IWC Portuguese Automatic watch.  The round stainless steel case measures 42.3mm, and evokes the original large-format wristwatch which IWC created in the 1930s at the behest of two Portuguese businessmen.  Standing in contrast against the brilliant metallic blue dial are the two silvered subdials with blued hands; the subdial at left indicates small seconds, while the one at right shows the status of the 7-day power reserve.  Other details of note include a discreet date window at 6 o'clock, shapely leaf hands in polished steel and a railroad minute track with applied polished Arabic hour numerals.  The gently curved crystal is manufactured from sapphire, and features an effective anti-reflective treatment to maximize legibility.  

Ticking beneath the decorated Laureus "Team Spirit" caseback is the prestigious in-house IWC 51011 caliber, which offers a date display, an indication for small seconds, and a power reserve indicator.  A screw-adjusted balance complete with a Breguet overcoil hairspring completes 21,600 semi-oscillations each hour.  Efficiently feeding energy to the mainspring barrel is the sophisticated Pellaton winding system, which conveys motions of the central rotor to a unique twin-lobed cam and ruby roller system that in turn operate a ratchet wheel that engages the winding wheels.  Fully wound, the power reserve supplies enough energy to keep this goliath of self-winding calibers--the largest in current production--running for a full week.

The IWC Portuguese Automatic Edition Laureus Sport for Good Foundation watch is completed by a blue strap in alligator leather, and an IWC-signed folding clasp in stainless steel.  Accompanying each of these limited edition IWC timepieces is a copy of "Let the Children Play".  This richly illustrated volume presents ten of the global Laureus projects dedicated to assisting underprivileged youth.

Source: ViaLuxe