EVENT: 7 watches spotted at the launch of the Ferrari Portofino in Byron Bay, inc. IWC, Creux Automatiq and Rolex

Andrew McUtchen

The new Ferrari Portofino — the replacement for Ferrari’s first ever front-engine V8 convertible, the California — has plans for you. It wants to be your first Ferrari. It’s eyeing you even more closely if your current whip is an Aston Martin, Porsche or McLaren. Meanwhile, at the ‘White Night’ themed launch at the Elements Resort in Byron Bay, hosted by Ferrari Australasia boss Herbert Appleroth (whose watch collection we explored in a video below), our eyes were divided between the shining flanks of Ferrari’s latest high-speed cruiser and the place they are usually trained on: Wrists.

We spotted seven watches in particular, with stories about them ranging from husband and wife rivalry over a vintage GMT, a self-bought divorce watch, and a local brand whose stocks are on the rise. If you’d like to know more about the car, here’s about as much as we can impart without getting too far out of our wheelhouse: its construction is similar to the California T’s platform, and it keeps the same wheelbase and overall rough dimensions. It’s powered by a 3.9-litre twin-turbocharged F154 V8 (also shared with the 488 GTB) and has a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. How fast is it? According to Ferrari, it goes from zero to 100km/h hero in 3.5 seconds with a top speed of 320km/h. Just keep the top up at that pace, please. The Portofino will be available in Australia from September and will be priced aggressively at $398k plus on-roads, roughly $10k less than its predecessor.  

Michael Coade – Rolex GMT-Master ref 16750

Why this one?
I chose this because the Portofino is all about the seaside, and the Pepsi’s a little bit nautical with the blue and the red, like the flags. It’s nice and light, I like the feel of it. The new watches are all a little bit bulky I think. My wife stole this from me, took links out, and I said, “Listen, honey, I’ve got to get my watch back!” Because I gave my other watch – an Omega Speedmaster – to my son.

First Ferrari memory?
Ferris Bueller, maybe? There was also a great show that had Tony Curtis and Roger Moore in it called The Persuaders. Tony Curtis drove a Dino. It’s a car I’d love to buy.

My wife stole this from me, took links out, and I said, “Listen, honey, I’ve got to get my watch back!”

Glenn Butler – Shinola Runwell Sport 48mm

Why this one?
It was a divorce present to myself. I wanted to mark my divorce in a positive way. Like it was the start of a new life. Life could be about me again. I could be selfish. A friend alerted me to the brand, and when I saw it, I thought: I’ve got to have one of those. The whole American manufacturing story; it’s from Detroit and I’m a car guy, so the whole Detroit going bust thing made me sad, but the fact that they’re investing in handcrafted watches was just fantastic. You could get a Rolex or an IWC and spend a lot of money, but I just wanted a watch I could wear every day. I walked into the shop in Detroit and looked at all of them, and I just said, “I want that one.”

It was a divorce present. I wanted to mark my divorce in a positive way. Like it was the start of a new life. Life could be about me again.

First Ferrari memory?
It was driving a Ferrari in Italy, an F430. That was only about 10 years ago. In a previous life I was a motoring journalist. When I was growing up I was not a car fanatic.

Michael Stahl – IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “Le Petit Prince”

Why this one?
I’d had an eye on IWC Pilot’s watches in general, but I’d lived in Paris for four years and had an emotional connection to Paris, so this version with Le Petit Prince on it and the blue dial stood out. I also like the tan strap because it works with tan shoes and this kind of an outfit. It looks great with jeans, but it’s really for wearing with tan stuff.

First Ferrari memory?
When I was about eight, my father had a friend who was an architect. His name was Bill Shillingford and he turned up at our house in a white Dino 246 GTS, which is the Targa one. I remember being taken for a drive in it. It had burgundy-coloured carpet and velvet carpet dash. It was just sex on wheels. My other profound Ferrari memory is doing 300km/h in a 575. It was the first car I did 300km/h in.

I’d had an eye on IWC Pilot’s watches in general, but I’d lived in Paris for four years and had an emotional connection to Paris, so this version with Le Petit Prince on it and the blue dial stood out.

Cindy Sargon – Rolex Day-Date

Why this one?
This is actually not what I’ve been wearing lately. I like a vintage watch because it’s a bit more unique. My husband has a vintage ‘Pepsi’ GMT and I’ve been wearing it all the time. But he put the links back in and now it doesn’t fit me. I like the gold and I like the colour of the dial. It’s dressy.

My husband has a vintage ‘Pepsi’ GMT and I’ve been wearing it all the time. But he put the links back in and now it doesn’t fit me.

Tom Kilmister – Tissot PRS 516 Automatic

Why this one?
I like black watches for a daily and I like that it has a little bit of a motorsport flavour. I’m obsessed with motorsport. I also really like Tissot as a quality brand for a good price; a lot of their watches would make good dailies.

I like black watches for a daily and I like that it has a little bit of a motorsport flavour.

First Ferrari memory?
I’m going to throw it back here. 1996, Michael Schumacher losing to Damon Hill. I was seven at the time. My earliest memories of life are going to bed at 6pm so we could get up and watch Grand Prix racing. My dad is just obsessed with it. So, Schu losing to Damon Hill and then to Villeneuve in 1997, and then losing back to back to Häkkinen, before winning five straight himself from 2000 to 2004.

Roberto Malizia – Creux Automatiq, Ghost Shadow CA-02

Why this one?
I got it from the founder of the brand, Dane Rumble. It reminds me of a black panther actually. No, not the movie, the animal! I love it. I wanted something black that could go with sportswear and with casual, so this is spot on. They’re making 100 pieces only, which makes it a bit more unique. They’re doing well these boys, so I’m going to support them.

I wanted something black that could go with sportswear and with casual, so this is spot on. They’re making 100 pieces only, which makes it a bit more unique.

James Want – Sinn 856 UTC

Why this one?
I wanted a Dual Time because I was travelling a lot. I didn’t want something big, so the 40mm appealed. I like the tegimented steel, I like what Sinn are doing, and it’s black. When you see somebody with a Sinn, and they see you, it’s a thing. You give each other a look across the room.

When you see somebody with a Sinn, and they see you, it’s a thing. You give each other a look across the room.

What are your thoughts on the Portofino?
It’s open-top motoring. I quite enjoyed the California T. I don’t mind a bit of a convertible. It’s like the Rolls-Royce Dawn, it’s designed for the outdoor lifestyle and has a beachy feel.