IWC Fabric Strap Watches

[ via IWC ]PRESS RELEASE: IWC Ingenieur Automatic Edition "Climate Action" A carbon-neutral watch, made for a cause that benefits everyone - this is the IWC Ingenieur Automatic Edition "Climate Action". It is the symbol of a world that can be saved. Provided many people pull their weight. The campaign by environmentally aware management also helps. And IWC plays its part. Can we save the world with a watch? Perhaps. For the fight against global warming begins within - in the minds of as many people as possible. And the Ingenieur Automatic Edition "Climate Action" is a positive indication that more and more of us are doing something for the love of our planet. IWC, for example, is doing something as a carbon-neutral certified enterprise. The Schaffhausen manufactory is supporting The Climate Group, an independent nonprofit organization founded in 2004, with the Ingenieur Automatic Edition "Climate Action". Part of the proceeds from sales will be channeled into projects of this internationally active organization, which works with governments and business leaders around the world with a view to the rapid establishment of a low-carbon economy. Many companies, states, regions and municipalities around the world are demonstrating that a reduction in greenhouse gases is essential, and that this is achievable alongside a simultaneous increase in profitability and competitiveness. The Climate Group uses the work of these trailblazers as a catalyst to enable it rapidly to identify pragmatic solutions in its international efforts against global warming. "The next five years will prove decisive for the world's climate," says Steve Howard, CEO of The Climate Group. "Our emissions on a worldwide scale must reach their peak in the foreseeable future and then decrease. We must restrict heating of the atmosphere to two degrees centigrade. The further we exceed that limit, the more radical the ensuing changes will be." The Climate Group was founded in London in 2004. Steve Howard and his staff have since succeeded in enlisting the support of a series of multinational corporations for their cause. These are people who most certainly do not stand around at the Wailing Wall of environmental policy. They actually do something, by proposing market-oriented solutions leading us away from the problems associated with CO2. The Ingenieur Automatic Edition "Climate Action" will be limited to 1,000 watches and fills the bill precisely, as do all the other watches from IWC, of course. The carbon footprint of the manufactory is impressive. All the CO2 emissions previously generated by the business are gradually being reduced by the use of alternative technologies. For the unavoidable CO2 emissions, such as those resulting from business air travel, an equivalent balancing amount is invested in a wind energy project in China, which promotes the utilization of regenerative energies. However, the Ingenieur Automatic Edition "Climate Action" does more than support this project. It is also a symbol. With its purist Ingenieur design, its "regenerative" mechanical drive and the mix of conventional and advanced materials - namely stainless steel and ceramic - it is an ideal ambassador for the notion that the world's climate is a subject that concerns us. As always, actions speak louder than words. And as a long lived, robust high-quality product - like all the other watches from IWC - it also satisfies the requirement for sustainability. The limited special edition differs from the standard model through its silvered dial and the discreet use of yellow five-minute indices and a back engraving. The colour theme is repeated in the backstitching of the strap and the engraving "IWC supports voluntary action on climate change" reiterates the commitment of the Schaffhausen watch manufactory to the environment. TECHNICAL DATA Features Mechanical movement, automatic Pellaton winding system, integral shock absorber system, date display, central seconds hand with stop function, limited to 1,000 watches MovementCalibre 80111 Vibrations 28,800/h / 4 Hz Jewels 28 Power reserve 44 h Winding automatic Case Material stainless steel and ceramic (zirconium oxide) Glass sapphire, antireflective Back ceramic mounting, stainless steel, engraved Crown screw-in Water-resistant 12 bar Diameter 44mm Height 14mm Weight Watch in stainless steel with black soft strap 130 g

I didn't expect to see a return to mesh metal bracelets from a big brand like IWC. Mesh metal bracelets, otherwise known as "Milanese" bracelet were big back in the middle of the 20th Century, but stuck around for niche use mostly on dive watches. The only mainstream brand I recall using them was Skagen. For 2011 IWC totally redesigned and reintroduced the Portofino watch. There are now four models of the Portofino - two of which will be offered with a metal Milanese strap. Those two models being the above seen chronograph, as well as the three-hand automatic. The Chronograph is 42mm wide, while the three-hand automatic I believe is 40mm wide. The watches comes in two dial colors - the off-white, and a slate gray. Each has a few red accents on the dial for color. The Milanese strap is quite nicely done - as IWC has been able to overcome the biggest problem with the strap - adjustability. By giving it a strap like buckle, the wearer can adjust its size. The metal is thick, but smooth to the touch, and looks quite good in a retro sort of way. Will this signal a major return of Milanese style straps? Hard to say, but they do look nice on these new Portofino timepieces. Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch reviews site aBlogtoRead.com.