Named the Double Moon, referring to the iconic moon-phase indication of IWC’s legendary perpetual calendar complication, the Double Moon 55-foot Solaris 55 yacht has been designed to perfectly reflect the spirit and visual codes of the watchmaker’s new Portugieser collection.
With a history inextricably linked to seafaring, sailing and navigation, this is the next watch in a long line of timepieces paying tribute to the nautical world. The relationship dates back to the late 1930s, when the watchmakers from Schaffhausen developed the first Portugieser, a wristwatch with the precision of a marine chronometer. Its clean, functional dial took inspiration from the deck observation watches of the time; nautical precision instruments used for navigation.
To make the universe of the Portugieser tangible in a never-before-seen way, designers from IWC and Solaris Yachts joined focus to create a customized sailing yacht. With a starting point of a Solaris 55, a 55-foot long racer/cruiser, in which the creative specialists carefully adapted the yacht to different codes found in the new IWC Portugieser collection, while at the same time making sure that it perfectly represents the look and feel of the brand’s new advertising campaign.
Clever touches throughout the yacht bring together the nautical and time-keeping worlds, such as the braided blue leather of the stairs’ handrails, inspired by the unique calf leather used for the Portugieser Boutique Edition watch straps, and the cleats and winches in polished chrome linked to the finished metal cases of the Portugieser watches. British designer fashion label Orlebar Brown furnished the cabin with colour-cordinated textiles, while the saloon table features an integrated glass display watch box, all nodding to IWC’s codes of style and craftsmanship.
“The Solaris 55 is an elegant and modern sailing yacht with sleek lines, sport-inspired features and high-quality furnishings,” says Christian Knoop, creative director of IWC Schaffhausen. “It perfectly matches the nautical universe of the Portugieser. As a long-time sailor, I am particularly pleased that the most iconic watch family can now finally set sail.”
