Renowned for producing precision timepieces of lasting value, IWC delights us once again with not one, but two new additions to the elegant Portofino range; the IWC Portofino Complete Calendar and the IWC Portofino Automatic Pointer Date. Alongside these, the Maison debuts a stunning new version of the Portugieser Automatic 40, offered for the first time with a warm, salmon-coloured dial. As a proud partner of IWC here in Australia, we are pleased to announce that these models are available for pre-order now from Watches of Switzerland. Please read on for all the details.
The Portofino Collection
Launched in 1984, the Portofino collection celebrates IWC’s near 40-year love affair with the laidback lifestyle of the Mediterranean. Elegant and sophisticated yet also fresh and playful, the modern-day Portofino collection has proven popular with both men and women. The case sizing and styling is akin to a dress watch, yet with a very contemporary feel, making these models suited to a variety of occasions and outfits. Traditionally a time-only collection – with the notable exception of the Portofino Chronograph – IWC has begun to introduce some of the classic complications it’s so well regarded for into the range. This started last year with the impressive Portofino Perpetual Calendar and continues with the two new models shown below.
IWC Portofino Complete Calendar | IW359002.
Portofino Complete Calendar
As the name suggests, a Complete Calendar watch displays all calendar information on its dial, meaning the date, day of week and month. And, in the case of the Portofino Complete Calendar, the phase of the Moon. Visually this is like a Perpetual Calendar, however, the two complications are quite different functionally. A Complete Calendar requires manual adjustment for months in the year with less than 31 days, whereas a Perpetual Calendar is able to ‘self-adjust’ for the differences in the lengths of the months (hence perpetual). What makes the Complete Calendar an attractive alternative though is that it displays much of the same information but at a more accessible price point.
The IWC Portofino Complete Calendar (Ref. 3590) debuts the Manufacture’s newly developed complete calendar module, which joins an already impressive stable of annual calendar and perpetual calendar movements. Comprised of 69 individual parts, each calendar display is driven by a separate gear train, allowing for independent adjustment via the crown or the two corrector buttons integrated into the left side of the case. Chances are you won’t need to use these much though as the level of intervention required in months with less than 31 days is minimal. On the last day of the month, simply advance the date indicator to the position 31 via the crown. Then, around midnight, all displays will automatically advance by one day and you will wake up to a watch with an accurate and complete calendar display.
IWC Portofino Complete Calendar | IW359002
Aesthetically, the Portofino Complete Calendar features the recently refreshed design codes of the Portofino collection. That means a fully polished 41mm case with short straight lugs, available in your choice of stainless steel or 18k pink gold. Time is displayed centrally on the silver-plated dial by leaf shaped gold-plated hands, with a blued seconds hand adding a touch of contrast. The calendar indications appear on two recessed sub-dials, at 12 and 6 o’clock respectively. The former features the days of the week along with an integrated moon phase, while the latter shows the date and month on separate chapter rings. Both case metals are paired with Swiss calf leather straps, blue for the steel version and taupe for the gold version. A sapphire case back reveals the self-winding IWC Calibre 32150, featuring a silicon escape wheel and pallet fork, as well as a pawl winding system. When fully wound the movement delivers a 72-hour power reserve.
IWC Portofino Automatic Pointer Date | IW359201
Portofino Automatic 39 Pointer Date
A touch smaller than its Complete Calendar counterpart, the IWC Portofino Pointer Date is offered in a svelte 39mm case standing 10.8mm high, and available exclusively in stainless steel. Again, time is shown centrally on the silver-coated dial by leaf-shaped, gold-plated hands (including the seconds hand) and appliques.
IWC Portofino Automatic Pointer Date | IW359201
At six o’clock the date is indicated via a blued pointer hand. This is the first time we’ve seen the date shown in this style on a Portofino watch, traditionally it has been shown via an aperture on the dial at 3 o’clock. Displaying it on a recessed sub-dial, complete with snailing on the recessed chapter ring, adds that extra aesthetic flourish. Completing the look is a brown calfskin strap with quick-change system. Underneath the solid case back beats the self-winding IWC Calibre 35160 offering a 50-hour power reserve.
IWC Portugieser Automatic 40 | IW358313
Portugieser Automatic 40 Salmon Dial
As one of the brand’s most iconic models, the IWC Portugieser Automatic needs little introduction. First released in a 40mm case size in 2020, the popularity of this model has continued to climb, with IWC making it available in a range of dial colours. But never before have we seen something like this in the collection, a rich and warm salmon-toned dial that simply looks incredible. To achieve this specific hue, the sunray-brushed base has received a special rose gold treatment, creating the perfect backdrop for the high shine of the rhodium-plated hands and markers. All of this is encapsulated in a 40mm stainless steel case and paired with a black alligator leather strap. And while this watch is not a limited edition per se, we expect availability to be very tight due to the sheer volume of demand both within Australia and worldwide.
IWC Portugieser Automatic 40 | IW358313
To express your interest in pre-ordering one or more of the new IWC models, or to find out when they are expected in store, please contact your nearest Watches of Switzerland boutique today. We anticipate availability will be limited based on high demand and tightly-controlled allocations, so we encourage you to get in touch sooner rather than later.
