The luxury Swiss watchmakers have the perfect gift to last a lifetime

IW459004_mood.jpg

Photo courtesy of IWC Schaffhausen 

Watchmakers naturally have a preoccupation with time. The ebb and flow of the past and present feed into their craftsmanship, forming foundations embedded in history and using the innovative technology of the future. For luxury watchmakers, the focus also turns to timelessness: how a watch will wear for years, not just practically but stylishly, too.

“The Portofino Automatic 37 responds to a current market trend, but at the same time draws on our past,” says Goris Verburg, Managing Director North East Asia for IWC Schaffhausen. Since 1868, the Swiss watchmakers have featured a signature mother-of-pearl dial and diamond-set bezel, making their watches instantly recognisable. It was a quest for timelessness that led to the design of the Portofino range: responding to the 1970s market of mass-produced and trending quartz watches, IWC met the demand for simple and quality timepieces. The Portofino range has its roots in the IWC Lépine pocket watch, and the design was adapted for a simple and sleek wristwatch. Launched in 1984 in the town of Portofino on Italy’s Ligurian coastline, the Portofino range was born. Relaunched in 2014 with four new midsize timepieces featuring smaller 37 and 40-millimetre cases, have become a classic wristwatch, embodying the idea of a little everyday luxury.

IW458107_LIFESTYLE.jpg

Photo courtesy of IWC Schaffhausen

In three stunning designs, the Portofino Automatic 37 collection features a 37-millimetre case, precious metals and a unique astrological design. “Our take on luxury is a modern one,” says Christian Knoop, Creative Director at IWC Schaffhausen. “For us, it is discreet and unpretentious. The Portofino collection has retained the clean lines for which it has become so well-known and so popular. It is underscored by the mother­-of­-pearl dials, as well as those with a sun­-pattern finish, both of which give the watches a wonderful depth and life of their own.”

IW459004_mood.jpg

Photo courtesy of IWC Schaffhausen

The white gold and white diamond encrusted Automatic Moon Phase 37 depicts the entire moon phase on a black lacquer-painted dial sparkling with precious stones. Also available with a white dial in red-gold and stainless steel, the starry design of this watch has endless appeal. For the Portofino Automatic Day & Night 37, a warm red-gold or stainless steel case can be chosen for this 24-hour day and night display – perfect for a person on the go. The Portofino Automatic 37 is the slightly smaller model of the classic Automatic design, available in 12 variations of red-gold and stainless steel, and with or without the diamond bezel. This pure and simple design has been a favourite through IWC history, and the stunning sun-patterned dial gives an air of enduring sophistication.

IW459101_LIFESTYLE.jpg

Photo courtesy of IWC Schaffhausen

It is this kind of timeless design and quality craftsmanship that makes the Portofino Automatic 37 Collection the perfect Christmas gift. For simple elegance that will last a lifetime, look no further than this classic timepiece.