IWC Launches The First Portofino With Pointer Date

Introduced in 1984, the Portofino is IWC’s interpretation of a classical, stylish yet understated unisex watch collection. The minimalist round case design of the Portofino family can trace its lineage to the 1970s when IWC made a pocket watch based on a large Lépine movement. Combined with clean, uncluttered dials, the Portofino has earned the much sought-after distinction of being timeless. Today, IWC introduces a new 39mm stainless steel model with a date complication displayed in a sub-dial at 6 o’clock. Meet the Portofino Automatic Pointer Date.

Although it might not be as iconic as IWC’s Portugieser or Pilot’s watch collections, the Portofino has a distinct set of design features that consolidate its attractive personality. The simple round cases and straight, thin lugs are certainly one feature, but so are the more recently introduced elongated Roman numerals combined with classic indices and elegant leaf-shaped hands that give the dial its purity. Following the introduction of a 39mm case in 2021, the new Portofino Automatic Pointer Date comes in a versatile 39mm case diameter.

The Portofino Automatic Pointer Date is a novelty and marks the first time a Portofino is fitted with a date indication in a sub-counter at 6 o’clock; until now, Portofino date models featured the function in a window at 3 o’clock. A far more elegant solution than a date window, the pointer date is displayed in a recessed sub-dial with a snailed track hosting the numerals. The odd numbers are black, with the exception of 31, which is red, and are indicated by a small blued leaf-shaped hand that jumps to the next day every night around midnight.

The smooth silver-plated dial is classic Portofino with applied gold-plated indices and a Roman numeral XII indicated by leaf-shaped hour and minute hands and a central seconds hand. The peripheral minute track, like the pointer date, features black markings and numerals and a red 60.

A classic 39mm polished Portofino case with a height of 10.8mm and straight lugs houses the movement, which is hidden beneath a sealed caseback. The closed back, the specs and the price, indicate that the calibre 35160 is most likely based on a Sellita automatic SW300 with a slim 3.60mm height, a frequency of 28,800vph, a 50-hour power reserve and hacking seconds.

Availability & Price

The IWC Portofino Automatic Pointer Date (ref. IW359201) comes with a casual brown calfskin strap with an integrated quick-change system. Available from February 2023 at IWC boutiques, authorised retail partners and online at IWC.com, the watch retails for CHF 5,400 (incl. tax).