IWC, the renowned luxury watchmaker, has been crafting classic timepieces since 1868. One of their standout collections is the Portofino, a sleek and stylish unisex line that has been popular since its inception in 1984. The Portofino’s design is based on a pocket watch IWC created in the 1970s, and its minimalist round case and clean dials exude a timeless elegance.
The latest addition to the Portofino family is the Automatic Pointer Date, a stunning 39mm stainless steel watch with a date complication displayed in a sub-dial at 6 o’clock. Instead of a traditional date window, a small hand points to the current date on a snailed track, with odd numbers in black and the 31 in red. At midnight, the hand jumps to the new date, offering a more refined and sophisticated solution to displaying the date.
The Portofino’s simple and elegant design is complemented by elongated Roman numerals, classic indices, and leaf-shaped hands, which add to the watch’s understated charm. The silver-plated dial with gold-plated hands and appliques is protected by a convex sapphire crystal with antireflective coating on both sides. The watch is also water-resistant up to a pressure of 5 bars (50 metres / 165 feet), making it suitable for everyday wear.
While the Portofino may not have the same iconic status as IWC’s Portugieser or Pilot’s watch collections, it certainly holds its own with a distinct set of design features that give it a unique personality. The Automatic Pointer Date is a refreshing addition to the Portofino line and is sure to attract watch enthusiasts who appreciate the watch’s timeless appeal and refined aesthetic.
The Portofino Automatic Pointer Date is available as of February 2023 at IWC boutiques, authorized retail partners, or online at IWC.com. This watch is eligible for registration under the My IWC care program, which extends the standard 2-year International Limited Warranty by an additional 6 years. The watch comes with a brown calfskin strap with a quick-change system and lugs width of 18 mm, and it is priced at 5,600€.
In conclusion, the IWC Portofino Automatic Pointer Date is a beautiful and sophisticated watch that showcases IWC’s commitment to crafting timeless timepieces. We highly recommend it to anyone who appreciates understated elegance and impeccable craftsmanship.
Technical details
Model: IWC Portofino Automatic Pointer Date, Ref. IW359201
Movement
Caliber: Caliber 35160 Automatic
Frequency: 28,800 vph / 4 Hz
Jewels: 25
Power reserve: 50 hours
Central hacking seconds
Pointer date indication
Case
Material: Stainless steel case
Diameter: 39 mm
Thickness: 10.8 mm
Glass: Sapphire, convex, antireflective coating on both sides
Water-resistance: 5 bar/ 50 meters
Dial: Silver-plated dial, gold-plated hands and appliqués
Strap: Brown calfskin strap
Quick-change system for easy change of the strap
Recommended retail price in Europe: 5,600€
