IWC Portofino Chronograph 39 with manufacture motion

The Portofino has been IWC’s elegant spherical watch proponent since 1984. Clear, sober dials and a spread of case sizes have made the Portofino a horny unisex possibility, whereas its classical Fifties appears to be like have earned the gathering the a lot sought-after distinction of being timeless. Since its introduction, the Portofino Chronograph brings a touch of classic sportiness to the gathering with its pronounced piston-style pushers and balanced, uncluttered dial. The newest IWC Portofino Chronograph 39, which might simply be confused with the fashions we lined final 12 months, has been handled to an improve and now comes with a manufacture motion, a sapphire caseback and a quick-change strap system for added versatility, all with out this reference IW391502 shedding an iota of its elegant, sporty persona.

Modifications

Revisited through the years, latest manifestations of the Portofino Chronograph embrace the downsized, extra compact 39mm (from 42mm) model of the two-register chronograph in 2021 with black, silver and inexperienced dials. Though this 2022 mannequin appears to be like equivalent, there are some essential modifications.

Clearly, the diameter of the stainless-steel case has remained mounted at 39mm, however the top has elevated ever so barely from 12.7mm to 13mm, because the caseback now incorporates a sapphire crystal. With its slim bezel, piston pushers and straight lugs, the marginally retro look is underscored with polished finishings all through, and water-resistance has elevated from 30 to 50m.

Once more, the silver-plated dial is equivalent in color to final 12 months’s reference IW391406 however the brand new IWC Portofino Chronograph 39 reference IW391502 has exchanged the gold-plated indices, palms and appliqués for rhodium-plated palms and indices, making a extra soothing, understated and monochromatic silver look. The Roman numerals at XII and VI are truncated to accommodate the 2 recessed and snailed counters (30-minutes elapsed instances at midday and small seconds at 6 o’clock), and the slim, straight baton markers are utilized to the silver-plated dial. Leaf-shaped hour and minute palms and a needle-thin central seconds hand add a refined contact to the chronograph.

IWC 69335

The large information right here is the improve to a manufacture, built-in column-wheel chronograph motion, changing the Valjoux-based, modified calibre 79530 powering the earlier Portofino Chronograph 39. By the way, as lots of , this motion was additionally used to energy the Portugieser Chronograph 3714 for over 20 years. A member of IWC’s calibre 69000 motion household launched in 2016 – and in addition fitted contained in the up to date Portugieser Chronograph 3716 of 2020 – the strong new calibre has a traditional column-wheel design, and the power is obtained from a bidirectional pawl-winding system much like the Pellaton mechanism. Beating at a frequency of 28,800vph/4Hz, the ValFleurier-produced motion delivers an influence reserve of 46 hours. Its openworked rotor, Geneva waves and round graining are seen by the sapphire caseback.

Final however not least, the brand new Chronograph 39 now options the model’s built-in quick-change system. Which means that the beige calfskin strap accompanying the watch might be swapped for a number of different straps (not a metallic bracelet, I’m afraid).

Availability & Value

The brand new IWC Portofino Chronograph 39 reference IW391502 is a daily member of the gathering and retails for EUR 7,350. For extra info, please go to iwc.com.