The unique charm of the IWC Portofino Hand-Wound Eight Days blue dial watch replica lies in the fact that its owner can choose a fixed weekday for winding it. IWC revamped its Portofino series, which debuted in 1984, in 2011, which does not seem that long ago but for an industry in which reinvention can occur several times within a decade, the longevity of its classical design almost qualifies it as timeless.
Blue Dial
The unique charm of the IWC Portofino Hand-Wound Eight Days watch replica lies in the fact that its owner can choose a fixed weekday for winding it. The dial itself displays a not-quite-symmetrical but distinctly harmonious arrangement on its midnight blue field, it is also the timelessly elegant dial design that adds to the popularity of this classic piece. The applied indices and the Roman “12”, the small second, the power reserve indicator, and the date display, create a balanced and harmonious appearance. In this version, IWC combines for the first time a deep-blue dial with a delicate Milanaise bracelet made of stainless steel. This combination lends the timepiece a distinctive look, and also provides a unique wearing sensation.45 mm Case
Compared to IWC’s sportier options, like its Pilots (which took the spotlight at this year’s SIHH) and Aquatimers, the IWC Portofino watch replica is suitably dressy albeit not shy or overly subtle: the case dimensions are a very contemporary 45 mm in diameter and 11.7 mm thick, with a gleaming mirror-polished finish. The bezel is thin to allow for an expansive dial, and frames a somewhat low-slung sapphire crystal with only the slightest hint of curvature. The profile is an elegant one, with the shiny case middle tapering off into the very thin teardrop-shaped lugs, which call to mind those of early pocketwatches converted by owners into wristwatches by soldering wires to the case.Calibre 59210
The movementof IWC Portofino Hand-Wound Eight Days watch replica is the IWC-manufactured 59210 caliber have an 8-day power reserve, but could theoretically run for 9 days. The extra day in reserve ensures that the movement maintains as constant a driving torque as possible and continues to run precisely. The movement is stopped mechanically before the reduced torque can cause it to start running inaccurately. This also means that the owner can safely wind the watch once a week. The indexless balance has a frequency of 4 hertz (28,800 beats per hour) and, together with the Breguet spring bent into shape in accordance with age-old watchmaking tradition, helps to make the watch exceptionally accurate.Black Alligator Strap
The black alligator leather strap with tone-on-tone stitching — crafted, as are most IWC straps these days, by the maestros at the Italian shoemaker Santoni — completes the picture, fastening this big watch to the wrist with a basic pin buckle of polished steel, which is engraved with a small and subtle IWC logo. A knee-jerk reaction here might be wishing the strap was of blue leather instead, reflecting the dial color as on so many of the blue-on-blue timepieces of recent years, but I give thumbs up to the choice of black, which gives the IWC Portofino watch replica a more classic versatility that a more monochromatic look would not; I wore it with black, navy, and gray suit jackets and it accessorized perfectly every time.
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