The 2020 Portugieser Perpetual Calendar 42 added a 42 mm case option beside the established 44 mm format—and, more notably, brought the perpetual calendar into IWC’s 82000-calibre movement family for the first time. “Smaller” describes the change in relative case size; it does not mean the watch is small in absolute terms or guarantee a better fit for every wrist.
What changed with the 42 mm Portugieser Perpetual Calendar?
In its Portugieser collection announcement dated 24 April 2020, IWC introduced the Portugieser Perpetual Calendar 42 as Ref. 3442. The launch marked the first integration of the perpetual-calendar complication with an in-house movement from the 82000-calibre family, according to IWC’s 2020 announcement.
The 42 mm case was the visible change: it gave buyers an alternative to the familiar 44 mm Portugieser Perpetual Calendar. Launch coverage by Monochrome, Time and Watches, and aBlogtoWatch likewise framed it as the smaller case format. That is a relative distinction, not a claim that the watch will wear small: case diameter alone does not establish how a watch will sit on an individual wrist.
What the current stainless-steel IW344203 offers
IWC’s current US product page identifies the stainless-steel example as reference IW344203. It lists a 42.4 mm case diameter, a silver-plated dial, and a black Santoni alligator strap. The watch has an automatic IWC-manufactured movement and displays the date, day, month, leap year, and perpetual moon phase. See IWC’s IW344203 product page for the reference-specific specifications.
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#1 Best Overall
- Model IW391031
- Calendar: Date, day, month, leap year, and perpetual moon phase.
- Winding and seconds: Pellaton automatic winding and central hacking seconds.
- Crystal: Convex sapphire with anti-reflective coating on both sides.
- Other listed specifications: 22 mm strap width and 3 bar water resistance.
The 42 mm name is a rounded model-size label; IWC lists the current example’s diameter as 42.4 mm. The current US page displays US$28,400, VAT excluded. That is a regional listed price for IW344203, not a universal transaction price, and displayed pricing can change.
How to compare the 42 mm and 44 mm versions
Start with exact reference numbers rather than assuming that every specification transfers between watches in the same family. The 2020 launch coverage establishes the 42 mm model as the smaller case option, while IWC’s current family information describes both case formats. For a purchase decision, compare the specific 42 mm and 44 mm references on the points that affect fit, function, and configuration:
Rank #2
- Dimensions: Check diameter and thickness, and look for lug-to-lug dimensions if fit across the wrist matters. The contemporary 2020 reports from Monochrome and Time and Watches give the 42 mm model as 42.4 mm across and 13.8 mm high.
- Movement and reserve: The defining 2020 point for the 42 was its perpetual calendar’s use of the 82000-calibre family. Do not assign the 44 mm model’s movement or reserve to a 42 mm reference—or vice versa—without checking the exact reference. IWC’s family-page discussion of the 52000 family’s 168-hour reserve is not, by itself, confirmation of the 42 mm watch’s specification.
- Material and configuration: Confirm the case material, dial, and supplied strap for each reference. The current IW344203 page describes a stainless-steel case, silver-plated dial, and black Santoni alligator strap; those details should not be presumed for other variants.
- Calendar display and practical specifications: Verify the listed calendar indications, water resistance, and any dimensions against each reference’s own product information.
- Price and date: Compare prices for the same market and time period. The IW344203 price above is IWC’s current US display, whereas prices in launch coverage are historical and tied to different markets and variants.
Strap sizing and compatibility
IWC lists a 22 mm strap width for IW344203, so “22 mm watch strap” is a reasonable starting point when searching for an accessory. Width alone does not confirm that a strap will fit: check the end shape and attachment details against the specific watch before ordering.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Timeless styling that effortlessly takes you from work to play.
- Analog Month/Day/Date, Moonphase Indicator
- Two-Tone Stainless Steel
- Spherical Mineral Crystal
- 100 Meters Water Resistant and 5 Year Limited Warranty
Rank #3
- Silicone watch strap soft and dust-resistant , comes with a quality stainless steel buckle, which is made of stainless steel.
- Please measure the width of your watch lug before ordering. It is important that your watch's lug width is the exact width of the band you select.
- Softness is moderate, wear very comfortable,Compression molding, sturdy and ,Wearable strap/wrist strap,suitable for original watch.
- Comfortable Fit: Soft, skin - friendly rubber conforms to wrist curves. Multiple adjustment holes ensure a perfect fit for all wrist sizes, offering stable, non - tight wear.
- Easy to insert and remove,very suitable for your watch.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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