BY HARLAN CHAPMAN-GREEN
IWC is a bit of an odd one for me, so much so that I think I say it in nearly every IWC I’ve reviewed. Two or three of their watches click with me instantly, while others miss the mark entirely. I realise that this is personal, but hey, I’m the one writing here. The new IWC Portofino Chronograph 39mm “Laureus Sport for Good” watch has me sitting on the fence, let’s take a closer look.
Like most watch manufacturers these days, IWC has got some “wholesome good” undertones to its watches, but this one specifically focuses on “Laureus Sport for Good”, a global organisation dedicated to encouraging youngsters across the globe to get a head start in life while also helping them overcome violence and discrimination. Interestingly, it was set up by two major conglomerates, Richemont and Daimler, rather than individuals. It must be doing good, though, as it’s claimed that Laureus Sport for Good has helped improve the lives of over six million children in over 50 countries.
IWC’s past watches for this charitable foundation have been blue to some degree. The last edition had a blue dial, blue ceramic case and blue strap and was accompanied by a lot of watch bloggers making Eiffel 65 jokes. This watch is a little more subtle than the last, with a polished stainless steel case measuring a discreet 39mm and a blue dial. The Portofino is separated from the other collections by its sophisticated hand shapes and subtle, vintage-inspired details such as the pushers for the chronograph.
Powering it is the calibre 79350, which is based on a Valjoux 7750 workhorse that has a 44-hour power reserve and a 4Hz beat rate. You can’t see that movement running, however, as a stainless steel caseback obscures it with an engraving of hands coming together. This design was drawn by 15-year-old Punjabi Jatin Malhan, a goalkeeper for his local football team.
IWC will make 1000 of these in total, and they each cost €6450.
Visit IWC here.
