IWC Portugieser Chronograph Ceratanium turned out to be a bold reinterpretation of one of the brand’s most iconic chronographs. When one thinks of the Portugieser Chronograph, images of classic proportions, refined dial layouts, and timeless Swiss horology come to mind. Since its introduction in 1998, the Portugieser Chronograph has been a cornerstone of the Portugieser family.
In Feb-2026, IWC Schaffhausen has pushed the boundaries of this beloved classic with the Portugieser Chronograph Ceratanium® (Ref. IW371631) with a surprise debut on Ed Sheeran’s wrist, blending dress-watch heritage with contemporary stealth style in an all-black execution that’s unlike anything seen before.
The new Portugieser Chronograph Ceratanium comes with an all-black aesthetic, a complete opposite of the traditionally elegant and dressy character of the regular Portugieser. Ceratanium is IWC’s proprietary material that fuses the lightness of titanium with the hardness and scratch-resistance of ceramic, which is achieved by firing a special titanium alloy at high temperatures. The result is a matte, stealthy finish that’s durable yet refined.
The watch measures 41 mm in diameter and approximately 13.1 mm thick. The case maintains the same classic Portugieser proportions.
The all-black configuration extends beyond the case to the matte black dial, blackened hands, and tone-on-tone Arabic numerals and indices. The complete use of black on black theme throughout the watch definitely impedes its legibility.
Instead of a leather strap, this Ceratanium version comes on a textured black rubber strap with an integrated Ceratanium pin buckle. The water resistance however sits at a low number of 3 bar, and therefore should be avoided from intense water focused activities. The movement and chronograph functions are visible through a tinted sapphire case-back, to match the stealth theme.
At he heart of the Ceratanium lies the IWC-manufactured calibre 69355, a robust automatic chronograph movement built around a column-wheel mechanism with Richemont’s centralised production tool ValFleurier. It beats at a frequency of 4 hz and a comes with approx 46-hour power reserve.
The Portugieser Chronograph Ceratanium is a limited edition watch with only 1,500 total pieces. IWC aims the watch to be a collector’s piece a standout within the broader Portugieser lineup. Pricing is in within the luxury segment, ranging around CHF 13,000 / €14,800. For more details, visit IWC.
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