The IWC Portofino Complete Calendar features an exciting brand first
Borna Bošnjak- New calendar module debuts in the IWC Portofino Complete Calendar
- Available in stainless steel or 18k 5N gold
- IWC also introduces a new Portofino Pointer Date in 39mm
If I asked what the first watch you think of is when I say IWC, I wonder how many would name the Portofino. I certainly wouldn’t, but it isn’t for the brand’s lack of trying. The Portofino line has been continuously updated with improvements in case design, new complication and new sizes, with the likes of the new Perpetual Calendar and 37mm Portofino Automatic. Bridging the gap between the highly complicated Perpetual Calendar pieces and the simple three-handers, IWC is introducing a new duo. The IWC Portofino Complete Calendar takes a new module, developed by IWC and built by ValFleurier, and integrates this classical complication into IWC’s most classical offering. Simplifying things even further, we also have the IWC Portofino Automatic Pointer Date, in a slim 39mm case that’s more in line with the Portofino’s dressy intentions.
IWC Portofino Complete Calendar
Let’s begin with an explanation of the most novel of the novelties. Unlike a perpetual or annual calendar, a complete calendar merely relates to the way the information is displayed. For a calendar to be complete, it must feature a day, date, month and moonphase – the Portofino above has all, thanks to a new module that debuts in this model. The silver-plated dial is made vertically symmetrical by the two sub-dials, housing two indications each. The top is occupied by a high-precision moonphase, encircled by the day of the week indication. On the opposite side of the pinion, IWC places the date and month indicators. I’m a fan of this vertical layout, and the finishing of the subdials, rimmed in gold to match the plating of the hands and indices. It’s worth noting that on the 18k gold variant, the indices are solid gold, rather than plated. IWC also continues to insist on using Roman numerals at 6 and 12 o’clock, even though they’re heavily truncated in the Portofino Complete Calendar.
At 41mm in diameter and 11.8mm in height, this Portofino follows IWC’s trend of dressier watches in larger sizes, even though the trend has slowed down in recent times. With elongated, curvaceous lugs and a heavily domed sapphire crystal, the Complete Calendar will command plenty of presence on the wrist, in either stainless steel or 18k 5N gold. The cases are fully polished, keeping in tradition with the Portofino’s dressier aesthetic, paired with either a blue or taupe calfskin strap for the steel and gold models, respectively.
Turning the watch over, the open caseback reveals a look at the new 32150 calibre. Manufactured for IWC by ValFleurier, it features the new complete calendar module, consisting of 69 components and with separate gear trains for each display. This means that each display can be set independently via the crown or correctors embedded into the case. As it is not a perpetual or annual calendar, you’ll have to manually adjust the movement every month with less than 31 days. Setting the date to 31 on any final day of the month will cause all the other displays to automatically advance around midnight. Spec-wise, the 32150 features a healthy 72 hours of power reserve with a pawl winding system with some pleasing decoration, though I must say, it does look quite small through the open caseback.
IWC Portofino Complete Calendar pricing and availability:
The IWC Portofino Complete Calendar is available now from IWC. Price: A$15,600 (stainless steel), A$31,000 (18k 5N gold)
| Brand | IWC |
| Model | Portofino Complete Calendar |
| Reference Number | IW359001 IW359002 |
| Case Dimensions | 41mm (D) x 11.8mm (T) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel (IW359001) 18k 5N gold (IW359002) |
| Water Resistance | 5 bar |
| Dial | Silver-plated dial with gold plated hands and indices or solid gold indices |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire with double-sided AR coating |
| Strap | Calfskin in blue or taupe |
| Movement | IWC 32150 calibre, manufactured by ValFleurier |
| Power Reserve | 72 hours |
| Functions | Complete calendar, hours, minutes, seconds |
| Availability | Now |
| Price | A$15,600 (stainless steel) A$31,000 (18k 5N gold) |
IWC Portofino Pointer Date
Bridging the gap between the three-handed pieces in the Portofino collection and the more complicated calendar stuff, we have the IWC Portofino Pointer Date. The look will be mostly familiar, though the open plane of the silver-plated dial has been reduced by the inclusion of the 6 o’clock date sub-dial. With 39mm in diameter and 10.8mm in thickness, the Portofino Pointer Date is sized perfectly for a smart or business casual everyday wearer.
Some of the thickness is surely shaved off by the exclusion of a display caseback, beneath which IWC houses the automatic 35160 calibre, based on a Sellita SW300. It’s a solid, if unspectacular, performer, with a 50-hour power reserve, beating at 4 Hz.
This view also gives us a look at the quick-release spring bars on the factory calfskin strap, helping with the versatility even further.
IWC Portofino Automatic Pointer Date pricing and availability:
The IWC Portofino Automatic Pointer Date is available now from IWC. Price: A$8,050
| Brand | IWC |
| Model | Portofino Automatic Pointer Date |
| Reference Number | IW359201 |
| Case Dimensions | 39mm (D) x 10.8mm (T) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 5 bar |
| Dial | Silver-plated dial with gold-plated hands and indices |
| Crystal(s) | Convex sapphire with double-sided AR coating |
| Strap | Brown calfskin |
| Movement | IWC 35160 calibre, Sellita SW300 base |
| Power Reserve | 50 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, pointer date |
| Availability | Now |
| Price | A$8,050 |