Portofino Midsize Automatic

IWC ADDS A SPARKLE TO THE WRIST  

NEW PORTOFINO MIDSIZE WATCHES COMPLEMENT THE PORTOFINO COLLECTION FROM IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN  

The new Midsize collection now makes the Portofino line from IWC Schaffhausen attractive to watch lovers who prefer a slightly smaller timepiece. With the Portofino Midsize Automatic  Moon Phase and the Portofino Midsize Automatic Day & Night, two radiant 37-millimetre beauties available  in seven different versions designed to reflect the timeless elegance of the Italian coastal resort  join the Swiss company’s watch family. Ten different Portofino Midsize Automatic models with 37-millimetre cases will be launched in 2014, available with or without a diamond-set bezel. Three Portofino Automatic versions  featuring 40-millimetre cases set with precious stones round off the dazzling display.  

The Portofino collection has been an expression of under-statement and good taste for 30 years. Thanks to its puristic, timeless design, the watch family has established itself as one of IWC Schaffhausen’s most successful families and is equally popular with both men and women. Georges Kern, CEO of IWC Schaffhausen, explains the thinking behind the new 2014 Portofino collection: “IWC has established itself as a global brand, and therefore keeps a close eye on what people are wearing when it comes to watches and jewellery, on what trends are developing. What we are currently observing is an increasing worldwide demand for watches set with diamonds.” IWC has reacted to this with a subtle development of its classic Portofino watch family, whose brand core remains unchanged: extravagant beauty and timeless elegance. “With the Midsize collection, we are making this successful, classic watch line more interesting for customers with slimmer wrists,” explains Georges Kern. “The diamond­set models will appeal to anyone with a preference for wristwatches that combine understated design with a touch of the exquisite.” The 2014 Portofino Midsize collection includes three new 37­millimetre models in 17 different versions: the Portofino Midsize Automatic Moon Phase (Ref. 4590), the Portofino Midsize Automatic Day & Night (Ref. 4591) and the Portofino Midsize Automatic (Ref. 4581). In addition to the Midsize collection, IWC is also unveiling three new Portofino Automatic (Ref. 3565) models featuring 40­millimetre cases.  

CONTINUING A LONG TRADITION  

“The Portofino Midsize collection responds to a current market trend, but at the same time draws on our past,” says Goris Verburg, Director Marketing & Communication IWC Schaffhausen, referring to IWC’s history. “Numerous different variations of watches with smaller cases, diamond­set bezels and mother­of­pearl dials have been a feature of our company’s 146­year history. For 20 years, most of the Portofino watches we sold were midsize models, and the manufacture of watches set with precious stones goes all the way back to IWC’s very beginning. The new Portofino Midsize models reflect a long tradition and open up a wider international market for the Portofino collection.” From the moment the watch family was launched in 1984, the impressive “pocket­watch­style wristwatch” (Ref. 5251) was accompanied by a smaller version with a case measuring just 34 millimetres in diameter. To mark its intro duction, IWC created the slogan “The Portofino series by IWC. The daily enjoyment of wearing a little gold.” With the  benefit of hindsight, the statement pointed to what to this day is one of the lasting reasons for the watch’s success - the tasteful combination of luxurious materials with a  puristic design.  

PETER LINDBERGH’S GALLERY  

In 2014, celebrated photographer Peter Lindbergh created an impressive series of pictures exclusively to mark the launch of the new Portofino Midsize collection, featuring well­known celebrities in the picturesque Italian harbour town of Portofino. It is the second time Lindbergh has  created a shoot for IWC Schaffhausen to promote the Porto fino, and he has once more managed to brilliantly convey in his work the spirit of timeless elegance that the town embodies. Remaining true to his artistic credo, Lindbergh chose to do the shoot in black and white. The leading roles were filled by esteemed Friends of the Brand Cate Blanchett, Emily Blunt, Zhou Xun, Ewan McGregor and Christoph Waltz. Supermodels Karolina Kurkova and Adriana Lima added a touch of allure to the event in some breathtaking fashion shots. The exclusive collection of photographs will travel the world as an exhibition entitled “Timeless Portofino” to mark the launch of the Portofino Midsize watches. First stops in 2014 are the IWC events scheduled for the Zurich Film Festival, the Watches & Wonders watch fair in Hong Kong, the London Film Festival, Art Basel in Miami and an exclusive occasion in Dubai.  

THE NEW PORTOFINO WATCHES FOR 2014: AN OVERVIEW  

The flagship of the new Midsize collection is the Portofino Midsize Automatic Moon Phase in white gold (Ref. IW459004). The dial, bezel and horns are decorated with a total of 174 pure white diamonds. The jet­black dial has several meticulously applied coats of lacquer and is the perfect backdrop to truly bring out the sparkle of the precious stones. For the first time ever, the designers have depicted the entire moon phase display as a star­studded night sky, with the moon and stars appearing to float in infinite space. For the dials of the red­gold and stainless­steel versions of the Portofino Midsize Automatic Moon Phase, flawless, gently shimmering mother­of­pearl in white (Ref. IW459001/IW459002/IW459005) and black (Ref. IW459003) was chosen. The bezels, encrusted with 66 sparkling diamonds,  are magnificent. “The use of diamonds and mother­of­pearl represents something of a renaissance in the history of our Portofino family,” explains Christian Knoop, Creative Director at IWC Schaffhausen. “But our take on luxury is a modern one. For us, it is discreet and unpretentious. The Portofino from IWC has retained the clean lines for which it has become so well known and so popular. It is underscored by the mother­of­pearl dials, as well as those with a sun­pattern finish, both of which give the watches a wonder ful depth and life of their own.”  

The new Portofino Midsize Automatic Day & Night featuring a red­gold (Ref. IW459102) or stainless­steel case (Ref. IW459101) combines the luxury of diamonds and mother­of­pearl with the nonchalance of a new and more mobile generation. It is the perfect companion for people who do business globally, jet­setters and night owls - after all, Portofino has for decades been a popular destination for the international rich and famous. Thanks to a second time zone and 24­hour day/night display, the Portofino Midsize Automatic Day & Night ensures that even those whose parties turn night into day never lose track of the time.  

The Portofino Midsize Automatic (Ref. 4581) featuring a 37­millimetre case comes in four red­gold and six stainless­steel versions, each one either with or without a diamond­set bezel. This puristic three­hand watch with date display has been the silent star of the IWC range for many years, so the fact that this classic is now available in a more opulent  design with a slightly smaller case will no doubt come as good news to devotees of timeless wristwatches. The sun­pattern finish on the dial and the meticulously  finished case lend these timepieces a real air of luxury and exclusivity.  

The Portofino Automatic (Ref. 3565) featuring a 40­millimetre case and date display has three additional models in the new collection, each featuring a bezel set with precious stones. With the red­gold model, the buyer has the choice between a silver­plated (Ref. IW356515) or slate­coloured (Ref. IW356516) dial. The Portofino Automatic in white gold (Ref. IW356514) is available exclusively with a silver­plated dial.  

EXCLUSIVE STRAPS FROM SANTONI  

With the exception of two models, all the new members of the Portofino watch family are perfectly complemented by their fine alligator leather straps, produced exclusively for IWC by well­known Italian shoe manufacturers Santoni. These elegant leather straps from Santoni are among the finest work of their artisan craftsmen. The secret of Santoni’s  success is the nuanced shading of the leather. Elaborately finished by hand, each strap has an exclusive patina­like shimmer with its own individual colour tones. To achieve this effect, the surface of the leather is polished with various different pastes until the desired shading and a perfect sheen are achieved. The wide choice of colours for the straps used with this year’s Portofino collection was inspired by the brightly coloured facades of the houses in Portofino, which lend the port its distinctive character. Two of the new Portofino watches feature an exquisite  Milanaise mesh bracelet: the Portofino Midsize Automatic Moon Phase (Ref. IW459005) and the Portofino Midsize Automatic (Ref. IW458110). The other Portofino Midsize models in the new collection are also available with stainless­steel or 18­carat red­gold Milanaise mesh bracelets in an elegant sixties­inspired style. Milanaise  mesh bracelets are made of a wire mesh weave and, as well as being extremely robust, fit snugly around the wrist. A slightly finer weave was chosen for the Midsize collection. As the name suggests, Milanaise bracelets were invented in Milan and are thus ideally suited to watches  that embody the Italian lifestyle.  

EXISTING PORTOFINO WATCHES KEEP ON TICKING  

All the models in the current Portofino collection from IWC Schaffhausen remain in the range, including the Portofino Hand-Wound Big Date (Ref. 5161), whose digital date display goes back all the way to the Pallweber system first used in the mid­1880s. The Portofino Hand-Wound Eight Days (Ref. 5101) joined the Portofino family in 2011. Its IWC­manufactured 59210­calibre movement runs precisely and reliably for a full 192 hours, or 8 days, before it automatically stops. The Portofino Chronograph (Ref. 3910) brings a touch of sporting flair to the Portofino family. Its striking chronograph push­buttons are reminiscent of the cockpit of 1960s Italian sports cars. Three hands and a discreet day display – as the watch of choice for the discerning purist, the Portofino Automatic (Ref. 3565) needs no more. Thanks to its timeless design, it has been one of the most successful models in the Portofino line for many years.  

A SUCCESS STORY FOUNDED ON A POCKET-WATCH-STYLE WRISTWATCH  

The history of the Portofino watch family from Schaffhausen  began in the late 1970s, when mass­produced quartz watches and ever more daring designer timepieces dominated the market. Despite this, IWC noted a steady demand for simple, classic models. These watches had to be reliable, retain their value and, above all, remain timeless. The model that immediately sprung to mind was the elegant IWC Lépine pocket watch (Ref. 5201). With its puristic design, slim Roman numerals and small seconds at “6 o’clock”, it already had the potential to become a classic. Taking this as their inspiration, IWC’s watch makers and case makers succeeded in manufacturing a new pocket­ watch­style wristwatch (Ref. 5251) in record time. As yet without a name, the “grande dame” appeared in the IWC collection for the first time in 1981 and created a  furore, not only on account of the imposing 46­millimetre case dia meter. For a wristwatch, the position of the seconds display  at “9 o’clock” was unusual to say the least. This positioning came about as the small seconds display was positioned in a straight line with the winding crown in the open­face pocket watch movement. Providing an aesthetic balance on the opposite side is a spectacular moon phase display made of genuine goldstone, an ornate feature crafted on the island of Murano, the centre of artisan glassmaking in Italy. In 1984, IWC Schaffhausen presented the first Portofino watch family, with Reference 5251 as the flagship of the collection. The launch, of course, took place in Portofino. The small, picturesque village on the Ligurian coast, which became the meeting point of the international jet set and epitome of Italian elegance in the 1950s, was virtually predestined to give the new watch its name. Its clear­cut  proportions, original design and, not least of all, its impressive dimensions have helped to ensure that the original Portofino (Ref. 5251) is a much sought-after rarity among collectors to this day.  

THE PORTOFINO FAMILY’S CLASSIC STATUS  

To mark its 120th jubilee in 1988, IWC unveiled the Portofino Reference 2532, an elegant, consummately designed timepiece featuring a gold case with Roman numerals and a hand­wound IWC calibre. The same year saw the launch of the Portofino Reference 3731 with the hybrid 631­calibre movement. Although the chronograph consisted of 233 parts, the height of the movement was just 3.8 millimetres - an outstanding achievement. In 1993, IWC launched the Portofino Hand­Wound (Ref. 2010) with a movement measuring just 1.85 millimetres in height. The slimmest of all IWC watches, it sold successfully until 2005. In 2004, IWC increased the case diameter of the Portofino Automatic (Ref. 3533) to 38 millimetres. The family welcomed its first purely mechanical chronograph (Ref. 3783) in 2007. Marking the company’s 140th anniversary in 2008, the Portofino Hand­Wound from the IWC Vintage Collection (Ref. 5448) invoked the success of the original Portofino. The choice of a hunter movement meant that the moon phase and seconds display reverted to their traditional  positions of “12 o’clock” and “6 o’clock”, respectively. In 2011, the Year of the Portofino, fans of this classic watch family enthusiastically welcomed many redesigned and newly developed models. Equipped with the IWC­manufactured 59210­calibre movement, the Portofino Hand­Wound Eight Days (Ref. 5101) effortlessly scaled the peak of haute horlogerie. In 2013, it was the turn of the 8­day in­house 59000­calibre family to welcome new members. Thanks to the new 59230 calibre, the Portofino watch family could now also boast a timepiece with a big date - the Portofino Hand­Wound Big Date (Ref. 5161).  

PORTOFINO MIDSIZE AUTOMATIC

RADIANT BEAUTIES  

For 30 years, the classic elegance of the Portofino Automatic with three hands has held its own in times of ever-changing, short-lived fashion trends. With its new 37-millimetre Portofino Midsize  Automatic, IWC Schaffhausen has made the company’s silent star more attractive to watch lovers with slimmer wrists. The ten models with their diamond-set bezels or dials will appeal to buyers seeking puristic design combined with timeless elegance. Three slightly larger Portofino Automatic models, also set with precious stones, perfectly complement the current collection.  

When in 1984 a smaller version of the Portofino was presented to the public alongside the impressive “pocket­watch­style wristwatch” (Ref. 5251), it had what by today’s standards could certainly be described as modest dimensions, with a case diameter of just 34 millimetres. The Midsize models were highly sought after, especially in Latin Europe, and sold successfully until 2007. Seen in this light, the new 37­millimetre Portofino Midsize Automatic models  (Ref. 4581) launched in 2014 mark a return to a fine tradition for the Swiss watch manufacturer. The much­coveted three­hand timepiece now looks perfect on a slimmer  wrist - all the more so when it is set with precious stones.  

TEN MODELS TO CATER TO EVERY TASTE  

The Portofino Midsize Automatic comes in four red­gold and six stainless­steel versions, each of which is available with a diamond­set bezel or a slightly more understated variation with 12 jewels on the dial. The sparkling stones are of remarkable clarity and give the watches an exquisite feel, while the design remains sleek and simple. The  meticulously finished mirror­polished case surfaces also lend these timepieces a real air of exclusivity, as does the sun­pattern finish on the dials, which makes the light appear to move around in circles when the watch is tilted from side to side. Another eye­catching feature on the new Midsize models is the slightly raised inner circle on the dial - as seen on some members of the Ingenieur family - which adds structure and depth to the watch face. In addition to the hour, minute and seconds hands, the Portofino Midsize Automatic also features a rapid­advance date display. 

All of these functions are powered by the 35111­calibre  mechanical automatic movement. Pulling out the crown stops the central hacking seconds hand, and the sapphire glass has antireflective coating on both sides to guarantee a clear view of the display. All Portofino watches are tested for water­resistance to 3 bar. Alligator leather straps from Santoni in delicate nuances of colour complement the dial and case of nine of the models perfectly, while reference IW458110 features a Milanaise mesh bracelet. Each timepiece is also available with an elegant 1960s style Milanaise bracelet in high­quality stainless steel or 18­carat  red gold. “Milanaise” is the name used to describe bracelets  woven from fine wire that fit snugly around the wearer’s wrist. 

IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN  

With a clear focus on technology and development, the Swiss watch manufacturer IWC Schaffhausen has been producing timepieces of lasting value since 1868. The company has gained an international reputation based on a passion for innovative solutions and technical ingenuity. One of the world’s leading brands in the luxury watch segment, IWC crafts masterpieces of haute horlogerie at their finest, combining supreme precision with exclusive design. As an ecologically and socially responsible company, IWC is committed to sustainable production, supports institutions around the globe in their work with children and young people, and maintains partnerships with organizations dedicated to climate and environmental protection.