IWC Schaffhausen to launch first limited Portugieser Timepiece with Eastern Arabic Numerals

Dubai, UAE, November 22, 2016:   IWC Schaffhausen and its retail partner Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons have launched an exclusive limited-edition Portugieser Chronograph. The timepiece is the first watch ever to be manufactured by IWC with Eastern Arabic numerals and is limited to only 200 pieces. A part of the sales proceeds will go to Al Jalila Foundation, which focuses on improving lives through medical education and research in the UAE.

The Portugieser Chronograph Edition “Seddiqi – Al Jalila Foundation Dubai” (Ref. 371489) is sold exclusively in the new IWC boutique at the Mall of the Emirates in Dubai. The midnight blue dial and brown alligator leather strap give it an elegant yet sporty look. The case back bears an engraving of Al Jalila Foundation, which is supported with a part of the sales proceeds. “The launch of this exclusive Portugieser watch marks yet another milestone in the successful collaboration with our retail partner Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons. In addition, we are very pleased to be supporting the work of the Al Jalila Foundation,” explains IWC Regional Brand Director Luc Rochereau.

Hamied Seddiqi, Vice Chairman of Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons says, “We are pleased to be partners of a watchmaker of this calibre and look forward to creating many more milestones together. It is our honor to lend our support to the Al Jalila Foundation and we hope to be able to do more for the Foundation.”

Al Jalila Foundation was established by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Ruler of Dubai, in 2013. The non-profit organization runs a number of medical education and research programmes in the UAE including postgraduate scholarships to nurture a home-grown generation of medical professionals. It also supports medical research studies to address specific health challenges prevalent in the region. “We would like to thank IWC Schaffhausen and Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons for their generous contribution and their recognition of our work,” adds Dr. Abdulkareem Sultan Al Olama CEO of Al Jalila Foundation.