IWC launches new Portofino models, watches symbolizing the laid-back Italian lifestyle. After the Portofino Hand-Wound Tourbillon Retrograde, we are introducing today the Portofino Automatic Moon Phase 37.
It is made to be a relatively high-quantity-production automatic chronograph caliber using a 7750-like design but using a column wheel replacement the cam-actuation system being the most notable difference. Running frequency remains 4Hz, and power book is 46 hours so other specs are quite close to the famed workhorse chronograph caliber. Aesthetics-wise what’s new about it than the last year’s limited edition is that it currently has the massive and always striking IWC winding rotor with big cutouts and beveled edges as opposed to the somewhat underwhelming stamped bit that was current on the 2016 models. According to last year’s similar models expect the IWC Ingenieur Chronograph’s cost to begin from approximately $7,200. The IWC Ingenieur Chronograph Sport is a titanium-clad, 44mm-wide alternate to the above triple-register sporting a more complicated IWC Caliber 89361. It offers a more impressive 68 hours of power reserve, a more innovative automatic winding system and also the more sophisticated display of chronograph hours and minutes on a single sub-dial in 12 o’clock. A neat design detail is that the lightning seconds hand at six o’clock, place as a reminder of the Ingenieur logo (and the central seconds of a Milgauss(possibly). Within this event, legible, but possibly not-so-sporty black and white, the IWC Ingenieur Chronograph Sport will be a limited run of 500 pieces — but we wouldn’t be surprised to see unique models come together sooner rather than later.
The brand has updated this model as it is now available with a silver-plated dial instead of a mother-of-pearl dial, making it blend even more harmoniously with the overall image of the Portofino family. The top-of-the-range model, with a case and Milanaise mesh bracelet in 18-carat red gold, is adorned with a total of 78 diamonds.
Two other models are also being released with 66 diamonds on the bezel and 12 on the dial: one in an 18-carat red gold case with gold-plated hands and the other with a stainless-steel case and rhodium-plated hands. The fourth variant has a stainless-steel case, gold-plated hands and 12 diamonds on the dial. These three watches are fitted with high quality alligator leather straps by Santoni.