These Timepiece Designs Are Rimmed With 78 Diamonds and Encased in Gold

Aesthetically pleasing and incredibly accurate, the latest IWC Schaffhausen timepieces from its Portofino collection are something to behold. For over 30 years, Portofino watches have been celebrated as classic Italian-style timepieces that are highly complex in nature yet modest in appearance. To extend the popular collection, the Swiss watchmaker has released two stunning new models: the Portofino Hand-Wound Tourbillon Retrograde and the Portofino Hand-Wound Moon Phase. Both watches are equipped with an eight-day power reserve and dark brown alligator leather straps specially crafted by Santoni.

IMAGE COURTESY OF LUCERNE

The new Portofino Hand-Wound Tourbillon Retrograde

The Portofino Hand-Wound Tourbillon Retrograde is the first model in the collection to feature a tourbillon, a complication which allows the watch to achieve to-the-second precision as the mechanism continually rotates to counteract the pull of gravity. It also includes a retrograde date display, which moves from the first to the last day of every month in a small arc.

The Portofino Hand-Wound Moon Phase, on the other hand, was created as a tribute to one of the collection’s original pieces, the Portofino Hand-Wound Moon Phase (Reference 5251) from 1984. The remarkable moonphase display was integrated into the Portofino Hand-Wound Eight Days model for the first time, making for a more beautiful and functional piece. Easily readable, the dial featuring the moonphase display only needs to be adjusted once every 122 years. For those who prefer automatic watches, IWC has also updated their popular Portofino Automatic Moon Phase 37. Gorgeously rimmed with 78 diamonds and encased in 18-karat red gold, the model is available with a dial-in either silver or mother of pearl. Greenbelt 5, 756.0821

This story was originally published in the November 2017 issue of Town&Country.