IWC – Watches & Wonders
A PREVIEW OF FINE WATCHMAKING WATCHES AND WONDERS SHOW TO BE HELD FROM SEPTEMBER 30 TO OCTOBER 3 IN HONG KONG, IWC HAS UNVEILED A NEW PORTOFINO CHRONOGRAPH, FITTED FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME WITH A MONOPUSHER – PUBLISHED 17/09/2015
Renowned for its discreet simplicity, the Portifino watch family will then welcom a new and technically sophisticated model to its rank. Whith the new Portofino Hand-Wound Monopusher, IWC presents its first-ever model with an ingenious single push-button chronograph. A slight protrusion on the crown is the only indication of an additional mechanism that promises even more user-friendliness. With models in white gold and red gold, this latest addition to the family is a stylish expression of understated luxury.
With this new complication, IWC Schaffhausen adds a second in-house chronograph to its ever-popular line. In keeping with family tradition, the latest model oozes style and distinctive elegance and also features a further sophisticated technical feature: by far the most widespread type of chronograph is the classic model, with push-buttons at “2 o’clock” and “4 o’clock”. However, the Portofino Hand-Wound Monopusher (Ref. IW515103/IW515104) sets itself apart with an ingenious single push-button stop-watch that measures time for up to 60 minutes. The chronograph push-button is integrated in the crown and at glance is virtually invisible. Repeatedly pressing the single, multifunctional push-button starts, stops and resets the chronograph. When the button is pushed for the third time, all the chronograph displays return to zero. It is not only convenient but also an aesthetically pleasing aspect. Despite this additional function, the Portofino Hand-Wound Monopusher remains a simple timepiece and divulges its functionality only when we look more closely. Understatement likethisispart of thefamilytradition: watches have stood for discreet design and classic lines for as long as anyone can remember. “Here, we have a perfect balance of functionality, design and ease of use,” says Georges Kern, CEO of IWC Schaffhausen. “Drawing on traditional craftsmanship and modern engineering, we have created a new haute horlogerie watch of which we are enormously proud.”
An intricate inner mechanism
The newly developed movement in the Portofino Hand-Wound Monopusher is a worthy addition to IWC’s in-house movements and the Portofino range. The 59360 calibre is an offshoot of the high-performing 59000-movement family with the outstanding feature of a chronograph mechanism built into the movements. The owner can look forward to a 192-hour movement, which, when fully wound, will run accurately for eight whole days before automatically stopping. The amount of energy remaining is displayed on the power reserve display on the dial between “8 o’clock” and “9 o’clock”. The subdial at “12 o’clock” displays the number of minutes recorded by the chronograph while the seconds can be read off on the central hand. Together with the small-seconds subdial at “6 o’clock” and the date display at “3 o’clock” it results in a well-proportioned dial design.
The back view, too, is no less inviting: the sapphire-glass back exposes an IWC-manufactured movement decorated with Geneva stripes together with the chronograph mechanism.ThebPortofino Hand-Wound Monopusher is available either in white gold with a slate-coloured dial and grey Santoni alligator leather strap or in an 18-carat red gold version with an attractive silver-plated dial and brown Santoni alligator leather strap.
Luxury leathers for a luxury timepiece
Fo rmore than a quarter of a century, the Portofino watch family has been an indispensable part of the IWC Schaffhausen collection. In 2011, as part of its quest to identify with the Italian way of life, the company joined forces with shoe manufacturer Santoni. The renowned family-owned company stands for luxurious elegance and quality of the highest order: values it shares with IWC Schaffhausen. Santoni produces exclusive, hand-made leather straps for IWC. A special process during manufacture produces a wonderful patina that gives the leather its characteristic colour gradations. The technique makes leather look as if it has already been carefully used for several years, despite being completely new. Another typical Santoni hallmark is the orange-coloured lining found on the inside of the strap. The charm and aesthetic cachet of southern European life are blended together in the perfect craftsmanship exuded by both watch and strap.
