IWC Schaffhausen have added a complete calendar complication into their stunning range of Portofino dress watches. The IWC Portofino Complete Calendar watches, which come in stainless steel in reference IW359001 and elegant 18ct rose gold in reference IW359002, deliver the day, date, month and moon phase on one refined cream white display.
No complication represents IWC’s approach to complex movement engineering quite like their calendar complications. Their perpetual calendar movement in particular is renowned for being ingeniously created by Kurt Klaus in the 1980’s, bringing together 100 arranged parts to ensure a high level of autonomy and user-friendliness. The IWC perpetual calendar complication not only displays the date, day, month, year and the moon phase but automatically recognises the different length of the months including leap days. The moon phase display is so precise that it will deviate from the actual phase of the moon by just one day after 577.5 years. The IWC complete calendar complication, the very same used in the new IWC Portofino Complete Calendar IW359001 & IW359002 watches, is slightly different. It is less complex in its construction and needs to be adjusted in months with less than 31 days when the date needs to be manually set.
If you’d prefer the autonomy of the perpetual calendar complication, IWC have already launched a duo of IWC Portofino Perpetual Calendar watches here. But, as you may have noticed, with a more complicated movement comes a higher price tag. The IWC Portofino Complete Calendar watches are perfect for those that still want the mass of functions on the dial but at a more accessible price point. These designs make history as the first IWC Portofino watches to feature the newly developed complete calendar movement, boasting just two beautifully engineered subsidiary dials at the 12 and 6 o’clock positions for presenting the calendar functionality.
The first of the two sunken subsidiary dials on the new IWC Portofino Complete Calendar IW359001 & IW359002 watches is positioned at 12 o’clock and presents a colourful moon phase aperture at the very centre and a single feuille-shaped gold hand pointing to the day of the week on a snailed border. On the opposite end of the silvered dial, the 6 o’clock counter uses two hands, the shortest to indicate the month and the longest to display the date. The rest of the dial matches much of the design tropes of previous IWC Portofino watches with elongated golden markers and Roman numerals and two elegant gold hands at the centre for the hours and minutes. A third central hand stands out in blue for the seconds. It’s important to note that the stainless steel reference IW359001 uses gold-plated hardware on the dial while the 18 carat gold IW359002 reference elects matching solid gold hands and markers.
Powering the calendar complication of the new IWC Portofino Complete Calendar watches is IWC’s in-house Calibre 32150. Automatic winding and complete with the 69-part calendar module, it ensures a healthy 72 hour long power reserve and comes with a pawl winding system and silicon escape wheel and pallet fork. The movement is housed within the typical IWC Portofino case with short straight lugs, a simple knurled crown at 3 o’clock and sapphire crystal glass on both the front and back. The watch’s dimensions come in at 41mm in diameter and 11.8mm in height. The stainless steel IWC Portofino Complete Calendar IW359001 watch completes its timeless appearance with a blue calfskin leather strap while the IWC Portofino Complete Calendar IW359002 watch in 18ct gold elects a dark brown leather band.
If you’d like to learn more about the IWC Portofino Complete Calendar watches and shop the collection for yourself, head over to the Jura Watches website here. Alternatively, get in touch with the team by calling 01335 453453 or send us a message at help@jurawatches.co.uk.
Specifications:
- Case Size: 41mm
- Case Material: Stainless steel or 18ct rose gold
- Bezel: Fixed
- Glass: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment
- Crown: Non-screw locked
- Case Back: Exhibition
- Water Resistance: 50 metres
- Movement: IWC Calibre 32150 automatic winding with calendar module
- Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, day, date month, moon phase
- Power Reserve: 72 hours
- Jewels: 21
- Frequency: 28,800vph
- Dial: Silver with gold-plated or solid gold hands and markers
- Strap: Blue calfskin or brown calfskin leather
- Buckle: Folding
- RRP: £9,200 (Steel), £17,800 (Gold)
- Limited: No
- References: IW359001 & IW359002
