IWC Portugieser Perpetual Calendar IW502213: 5N Gold Specs and Buying Guide

The IWC Portugieser Perpetual Calendar IW502213 is a pre-owned 42.3 mm dress watch in 18 ct 5N gold, with a silver dial, Arabic numerals, a perpetual calendar and a leather strap. The Portugieser began in 1939 as a large, legible wristwatch with the accuracy of a marine chronometer, and the perpetual calendar versions sit at the top of the family. This guide covers the specifications we can confirm, how IWC's perpetual calendar behaves, what the 5N gold case means, how the IW502213 compares with other Portugiesers, how it wears, price context in 2026 and what to check on a pre-owned example. Bizak & Co. sources the IW502213 to order; the Portugieser collection lists the configurations we can seek.

Last reviewed on October 1, 2026 by Filip Biczak. Prices are dated observations, not quotes.

IWC Portugieser Perpetual Calendar IW502213 specifications

Source: IWC publishes its collection on its own website, but we did not confirm a current catalogue page for this reference, so treat the table as our catalogue listing and verify it against the case back and papers. For auction context on perpetual calendars, see Sotheby's Watches and Phillips Watches.

What is the Portugieser?

IWC created the Portugieser in 1939 after Portuguese importers asked for a wristwatch as accurate as a marine chronometer. The answer was a large case, a pocket-watch-sized movement and a clean dial with Arabic numerals, thin leaf hands and a railroad minute track. That design has stayed recognisable for more than 80 years, and the perpetual calendar version adds a calendar without crowding the dial. For a buyer, the Portugieser's identity is its dial: legible, symmetrical and uncluttered. A good example should keep that quality even with extra indications.

How does IWC's perpetual calendar work?

IWC's perpetual calendar mechanism was designed by Kurt Klaus and first appeared in the 1985 Da Vinci. It is known for being set entirely with the crown, with no hidden correctors, and for a year display in four digits. Many Portugieser perpetual calendars use a version of that design, but confirm the calibre of this watch rather than assume. The calendar keeps the date, day and month correct through short months and leap years; like most mechanical perpetual calendars it will need a one-day correction in 2100, because 2100 is not a leap year. If the watch stops, set the time and the calendar in the order given in the manual, and have a specialist reset it if you are unsure.

What does 18 ct 5N gold mean?

5N is IWC's name for its red gold alloy: 18 ct gold with copper, giving a warm, slightly rose tone that sits between yellow and pink gold. Against a silver dial with blue steel or gold hands, it reads formal and warm. Gold shows polishing more clearly than steel, so a pre-owned case needs a careful look: lugs should remain sharp, the transitions between brushed and polished surfaces should be crisp, and the engraved reference and serial on the case back should be clear. A gold case that has been polished several times will look softer in photographs than a lightly worn one.

IW502213 vs Portugieser Annual Calendar vs Portugieser Chronograph

The perpetual calendar is the choice if you want the full calendar and a moon phase; the annual calendar is simpler and needs one correction a year; the chronograph is for those who prefer timing to a calendar. Our Cartier Tortue Perpetual Calendar guide covers a different shape of perpetual calendar dress watch.

How does a 42.3 mm gold Portugieser wear?

At 42.3 mm the Portugieser is a large dress watch, but its slim bezel and wide dial make it read cleanly rather than bulky. A gold case adds weight, and a perpetual calendar movement adds height, so ask for the thickness before you assume it slips under every cuff. Wrists from about 16.5 cm (6.5 inches) upward carry it comfortably; on a smaller wrist it will look large, which some collectors want. The leather strap suits it, but check the length and buckle, and plan a replacement if the strap is worn.

How much is an IWC Portugieser Perpetual Calendar IW502213 in 2026?

• Retail. We did not confirm a current IWC list price for this reference, and we do not quote one. Ask IWC or an authorised boutique whether it is still catalogued and what a comparable perpetual calendar costs.
• Secondary market. We have no reliable price history for this exact reference, so treat any asking price, including ours, as one dated data point rather than a market median.
• Bizak catalogue ask. On October 1, 2026 our sourced catalogue listed the IW502213 at US$19,999, pre-owned and sourced to order.

Those figures describe what we saw and will move. For more on how complicated watches are valued, see our guide to Patek Philippe complications.

Buying a pre-owned perpetual calendar: what to check

• Service history. Ask for dated invoices and the name of the workshop; price the watch as if a service is due if no record exists.
• Calendar function. Ask the seller to advance the calendar through a month end and a leap year cycle; every display should change cleanly and together.
• Case condition. Check the lugs and case flanks for rounding and the case back for a clear reference and serial.
• Dial. A silver dial should be even; look closely around the calendar apertures for moisture marks.
• Papers. A full set matters on a gold watch at this price; without papers, a recent service receipt from an authorised workshop adds confidence.
• Strap and buckle. Confirm the buckle metal and condition.
• Price against the band. A gold perpetual calendar offered far below comparable asks is a warning, not a bargain.

Our authentication process describes what we inspect before dispatch.

Is the IW502213 a good watch to own?

It is a watch to wear for its dial and mechanism. A gold perpetual calendar will not behave like a Rolex sports watch on resale, and the market for it is narrower, so buy it because you want a dress watch with a real complication. The Portugieser's design is classic and its legibility makes the complication easy to use, which is the best reason to own one.

Quick answers

What is the IWC Portugieser Perpetual Calendar IW502213?

It is a 42.3 mm 18 ct 5N gold Portugieser with a silver Arabic dial, a perpetual calendar and a leather strap. Bizak sources it pre-owned to order.

How much is it?

Bizak's sourced catalogue listed it at US$19,999 pre-owned on October 1, 2026. We did not confirm a current IWC retail price, so ask for a dated quote.

What does 5N gold mean?

It is IWC's 18 ct red gold alloy, with a warm, slightly rose tone. It scratches more easily than steel and shows polishing.

Does the perpetual calendar need adjusting?

Not in normal use, though most mechanical perpetual calendars need a one-day correction in 2100. If the watch stops, it must be reset carefully.

Is 42.3 mm too large for a dress watch?

It is large but wears cleanly because of the wide dial and slim bezel. Check the thickness and lug to lug, and try it on before buying.

Request a Portugieser Perpetual Calendar sourcing quote

Tell us the metal, dial, condition, whether papers are required, your budget and timing through our sourcing enquiry form. We confirm the specific watch, photographs, papers and final price before you commit. Catalogue entry: IWC Portugieser Perpetual Calendar IW502213; browse the Portugieser collection, the IWC collection, or sell or trade your watch.

Related reading: Patek Philippe dress watch guide · Grand complications guide · Cartier dress watch heritage guide · How to sell a Rolex.