Think about a watch. A limited-edition model from one of the most respected brands in the Swiss watchmaking industry Switzerland, built with high quality materials and excellent craftsmanship, compatible with your suits and sports-casual outfits, has a complication movement but far from being complex… Here we are with the IWC Schaffhausen Portofino Hand-Wound Moon Phase Edition “150 Years”.
IWC Schaffhausen’s SIHH 2018 collection has received both positive and negative feedbacks from the authorities. The limited production models that were put on the market only by changing the color of the dials had caused comments that the brand did not do its job well enough. While I support that approach for some models, I have a completely different opinion for the model that I have here now. The elite-built and moon-phased version of the Portofino Collection has been a model that has attracted my utmost interest since the first day it came out. The model, which succeeded in accumulating many nice details under the same roof thanks to its case proportions and movement features, was able to be both stylish and practical at the same time. The only comment I can make for the Portofino Hand-Wound Moon Phase Edition, which has achieved a stunningly finished blue dial as introduced at SIHH 2018, is “a more refined version of an already perfect timepiece”.
The model is offered in a stainless-steel case measuring 45mm x 13.2mm which do not look like they belong to the type that the model is classified in on black and white, but the experience on the wrist is completely different. Thanks to the naive design concept of the Portofino Collection, the model is very comfortable and stylish. The case is equipped with scratch resistant sapphire crystals on both side and it is water resistant to 30 meters / 3 bars. Thanks to the double AR coating on the front sapphire crystal, the beauty of the blue dial is clearly visible. The date display window is located at 3 o’clock and the small seconds counter is placed at 6 o’clock while the fascinating moon phase indicator is present at 12 o’clock.
IWC Schaffhausen Portofino Hand-Wound Moon Phase Edition “150 Years” is powered by the fully manufacture Caliber Ref. 59800. Hand-wound movement offers a power reserve of 8 days (192 hours) when fully wound. The large diameter of the model is also related to that massive power reserve. Even better, it is possible to monitor the remaining amount of power reserve, which is one of the essential features with such high-power reserve timepieces, via the indicator at 9 o’clock. The moon phase module, which requires adjustment once every 122 years, is undoubtedly one of the most remarkable details about the model.
There are two different stainless-steel versions in the collection available with a blue or a white dial limited to 350 units per each. There is also a 18K pink gold case with blue dial version that is limited to 150 units only. All models are available with a tang buckles in line with the case material and alligator straps manufactured by Santoni.
