IWC Launches New Portofino Automatic Moon Phase 37 Watches
Friday - 09 December 2022
Two indulgent diamond-set bezel variations of the Portofino Automatic Moon Phase 37 watch have been released, one in a luxurious 18ct rose gold case ref: IW659602, the other a polished stainless steel model ref: IW659601. Both beautiful IWC watches have been released alongside an unadorned stainless steel model ref: IW459601 – all of which display the sunlit proportions of the moon, exactly how they are seen in the night sky each evening.
It may be much to your surprise, but the process of developing a moon phase complication in a watch is not a simple one. This is because the moon does not follow an exact 24-hour rhythm. What actually happens is that the moon cycle takes a total of 29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes, and 2.9 seconds to complete. Realistically interpreting this through the dial of a watch is no easy task and thus it makes sense why IWC Schaffhausen’s first moon phase complication, designed by Kurt Klaus was appreciated so much amongst watch enthusiasts. It was developed as part of a calendar mechanism featured in the IWC pocket watch ref 5500 in 1977. After this, more pocket watches with moon phase complications were developed, making the complication one of IWC’s finest horological accomplishments. One particularly popular reference was the Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar 3750 model. Ever since then, the moon phase display has resided at a fixed position within the company’s perpetual calendar watches, as well as IWC Portofino 37 watches, which brings us to three beautiful additions for 2022.
The new IWC Schaffhausen Portofino Automatic Moon Phase 37 watches
The Portofino watch family is no stranger to the popular moon phase complication. In fact, it has been enjoying the feature in the larger hand-wound Portofino watch for some time. Large in size for those with slender wrists, IWC decided to downsize the dress watch to a 40mm diameter for the automatic version before the ladies 37mm version was introduced. In favour of the moon phase indicator, the watch forwent the date window and enjoyed a new kind of symmetry with the moon phase indicator positioned at the northern hemisphere of the dial.
The new IWC Portofino Automatic Moon Phase 37 watches are faithfully designed in the same way as the 40mm men’s versions. The models belong to a collection based on the design of the Lepine pocket watch and take inspiration from the relaxed way of life experienced in the Italian fishing village located in the Gulf of Tigullio, near Genoa. The two diamond-set bezel iterations have a case shape that has been redesigned to accommodate larger round brilliant-cut diamonds. These stones measure a diameter of 1.7mm and sit inside improved settings that enable a better display of fire and brilliance once light hits their faceted edges. The round brilliant-cut diamonds amount to a total weight of 1.2 carats and match the delicate sparkling diamonds located around the hour track of each dial. Both the 18ct rose gold version and the stainless steel version feature silver dials with either gold-plated or rhodium-plated hands to match the finish on their respective cases. The hour track is represented in stick hour markers, whilst the 6 o’clock location alone bears the only Roman numeral hour marker. The polished stainless steel watch with a non-diamond-set bezel is designed in the same way. It features silver-toned appliques and, like the diamond-set cases, offers a beautifully decorated moon phase indication at 12 o’clock. The complication only deviates away from the actual orbit of Earth’s satellite once every 122 years. It shows all the sun-lit portions of the moon exactly how they are seen against a star-lit backdrop each evening.
The new IWC Portofino Automatic Moon Phase 37 watches all offer 50-meter water resistance and are topped by a strong piece of scratch-resistant sapphire crystal glass. The surface of the glass has been treated with anti-reflective technology to assist with a clear glance into the dial at any point of the day or night. The back of the case also features a pane of sapphire crystal. The exhibition feature showcases an automatic movement at work, complete with a gold-plated rotor and blued steel screws. The automatic Calibre 32800, belonging to the 32000 family of movements, has a moon phase indicator integrated into its architecture and performs at a rate of 28,800 vibrations per hour. It also provides an impressive power reserve, once fully wound, of 120 hours and comprises a total of 186 components including 21 jewels.
The 18ct rose gold crafted IWC Portofino Automatic Moon Phase 37 watch with a diamond set bezel is completed on a soft taupe-coloured calf skin strap whilst both stainless steel models are fitted on a dark blue calfskin leather strap. These unique straps all have their own serial number that can be traced back to their origins. All of these bands secure with a pin buckle crafted from either 18ct rose gold or stainless steel and have been stamped with the famous IWC logo.
If you’d like more information on any of the three new IWC Portofino Automatic Moon Phase 37 watches, you can call and speak to a member of our Jura Watches sales team on 01335 453453 or email us at help@jurawatches.co.uk
