Thus far in 2017 IWC had applied most of its marketing efforts to its renewed “Da Vinci Collection”. Although they also released a “Portofino” with a Moonphase, but now they return with another series of complications.
Image courtesy of: IWC
The “Portofino” collection has always been composed of relatively simple, affordable, yet very elegant dress watches. Pairing well with these series of timepieces named after that pleasant and refined Italian resort town called “Portofino”. But, this new offering by IWC Schaffhausen has packed in quite a number of complications. And the inclusion of a tourbillon makes it the first model in the “Portofino” line to be equipped with one.
Image courtesy of: IWC
The 45mm case is made of 18k red gold with a transparent case back, which allows to view the inner workings of the movement. And this hand-wound caliber has quite an interior with: open-worked bridges that allow to see the gear train and the keyless works; as well as the perlage and the Côtes de Genève adornments. Equipped with short lugs and all the settings are controlled and modified via one single crown. Topped by a sapphire crystal with arched-edge and anti-reflective coating on both sides. Water-resistance on this watch can reach up to 30 meters (100 feet).
Image courtesy of: IWC
Time is exhibited on a silver-plated dial with gold baton applied hour index markers and the Roman numeral for the 12 o’clock position, followed by smaller black minute index markers with Arabic numerals for every five-minute increment. Also features a: power reserve indicator at the 3 o’clock position; an exposed one-minute flying hacking tourbillon at the 6 o’clock position; and a retrograde date indicator running between the 8 to the 10 o’clock positions.
Image courtesy of: IWC
Now we’ve seen many retrograde calendars before, but the one we find here may not be the best in terms of legibility. Days are indicated via Arabic numerals, beginning at day 3 and having another numeral for every 4-day increment, all the way up to day 31; while all the other days have small index track markers. So, if the current day lands on one of these small markers, it would require the user to really physically “zoom in” for the retrograde date to be legible. The date hands move in an arc and jumps back to day 1 after running thru all the 31 markers, but if the month has less than 31 days the user has to set it manually.
Image courtesy of: IWC
IWC Portofino Hand-Wound Tourbillon Rétrograde
This “IWC Portofino Hand-Wound Tourbillon Rétrograde” (Ref#: IW516501) is powered by a hand-wound mechanical movement, caliber 59900 with 40 jewels and 28,800 vph. Power reserve on this timepiece can last up to 192 hours (8 days), when fully wound.
Image courtesy of: IWC
Mounted to the watch is a dark brown alligator leather strap by Santoni for IWC, secured to the wrist by an 18k rose gold folding clasp. This is a limited edition watch, although IWC has yet to reveal exactly how many pieces were manufactured. For more up to date information visit the official IWC Schaffhausen website here.
MSRP: $58,000.00 USD
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IWC, IWC Schaffhausen, Portofino, Tourbillon, Santoni, Retrograde Calendar, Luxury Watches
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