In 2014 luxury Swiss watchmaker IWC Schaffhausen extended the Portofino watch family with a number of models in 37-millimetre cases, making the ever-popular line more attractive to watch lovers who prefer a timepiece with slightly smaller dimensions. The diamond- set Portofino Automatic Moon Phase 37 models are now joined by a new version that celebrates understated luxury in a polished stainless-steel case. Apart from this, the Portofino Automatic 37 welcomes another two beautiful watches with diamond-set bezels. Injecting more colour into the collection are a model with a blue dial and blue leather strap and another version featuring a silver- plated dial and raspberry-coloured leather strap.

The moon phase display is not only a thing of striking beauty. It also serves as a reminder that long before the days of mechanical timekeeping it was the moon that dis- played the passage of time for all to see. The moon phase display is integral to the Portofino watch family’s identity, like the Roman numerals, feuille hands and convex front glass. Back in 1984, the original Portofino itself was equipped with a moon phase display. This model was produced un- changed in very small series until the late 1990s. Last year, IWC Schaffhausen reinstated the moon phase display complication in the Portofino collection. Following on from last year’s diamond-set models is a beautiful, purist-in- spired timepiece devoid of diamonds on the case, whose meticulously polished, mirror-finished surface has a special luxury and elegance of its own. The Portofino Automatic Moon Phase 37 (Ref. IW459007), with its 37-millimetre case, represents the subtle luxury unique to the popular watch family. The design of the moon phase display is clas- sic: the moon itself rises and sets behind a foreground of clouds. The softly shimmering mother-of-pearl dial with its 12 diamonds creates an attractive sensation of depth and underscores the clear design of the dial. “Iridescent mother- of-pearl enjoyed enormous popularity in the 1950s and 60s,” explains IWC Schaffhausen’s Creative Director Christian Knoop. “The material, which is produced by the pearl oyster, was a firm favourite with the stars who helped to make the resort of Portofino so famous back then. We took our inspiration from their accessories.” The Portofino Automatic Moon Phase 37, water-resistant to 3 bar, is powered by the 35800-calibre mechanical automatic movement. The moon phase shown in the display can be set to “2 o’clock” using a correction button. The central seconds hand is stopped using the crown and the sapphire glass has an antireflective coating on both sides. The watch is secured to the wearer’s wrist by a green alligator leather strap by Santoni. Exclusively for IWC, the luxury Italian shoemaker also produces leather straps that take on a wonderful patina with individual nuances of colour.