IWC Portofino Chronograph 39 Edition Laureus Sport For Good Watch Review
Monday - 16 May 2022
The new Portofino Chronograph 39 Edition “Laureus Sport For Good” watch from IW Schaffhausen marks the manufacturer’s 16th wristwatch in support of the charity and comes in the new downsized 39mm diameter debuted just last year
Much to the surprise of big watch lovers, IWC Schaffhausen is making the downsizing of some of its most popular luxury wristwatches an actual thing. Last year the XXL Big Pilot watch from IWC shrunk in size from its bold and daring 46mm to a much more manageable 43mm diameter and in the same fashion, the IWC Portofino Chronograph watch was offered in a compact 39mm. The decision to do this supported the realisation that not all wrists can pull off a beefy, broad watch. It shows that IWC Schaffhausen’s approach to watchmaking is flexible and interchangeable when the need arises. The Portofino watch collection by IWC pays homage to the quaint and relaxed Italian fishing village on the Amalfi coast. Directed towards those who frequent the village and enjoy the lifestyle to suit it, the IWC Portofino has proved itself a popular choice amongst those experienced or new to IWC watch collecting. Speaking of the Portofino watch – IWC Schaffhausen now marks the 16th watch released in honour of the Laureus Sport For Good Charity. Read on if you’re new to the organisation and the work it does. In fact, read on anyway.
The Laureus Sport For Good campaign is a global organisation that believes in the power of sport and its message of empowerment across the globe. It aims to propel the concept that sport has life-changing effects on even the most vulnerable and disadvantaged. The empowering of children regardless of their background, their ethnic origin or their walk of life has become a strong global message that each year reaches a broader scope thanks to those that back it, such as IWC Schaffhausen. Founded by Richemont and Daimler in the year 2000, the Laureus Sport For Good organisation supports 250 sports programs in over 50 different countries. IWC Schaffhausen who has now been involved in the organisation since 2006 releases its 16th special edition watch – this time a 39mm Portofino watch with a deep blue dial and a sophisticated leather band.
Downsizing a watch like the Portofino is not as easy as it sounds. Having taken into consideration the entire design of the dial, not to mention the internal structure of the watch - the new re-sized case meets new proportions across the display to give an overall more compact yet balanced dial. The new IWC Portofino 39 Chronograph Edition “Laureus Sport For Good” watch is crafted from stainless steel and is exclusive to a production run of just 1000 pieces worldwide. As with all Laureus Sport For Good watches from IWC, the new watch boasts a specially engraved caseback depicting an image that became the winning entry to this year’s drawing competition organised by IWC. The drawing, which features hands united together as equals, was created by 15-year-old goalkeeper, Jatin Maihan who plays for Rurka Kaian Football Club in India.
Celebrating the Laureus Sport For Good charity’s signature colour, the rich blue dial of this new IWC Portofino 39 Chronograph watch provides a contrasting backdrop against the silver-coloured elements seen in the hour track, the hands and the chronograph details. The dial boasts a bi-compax chronograph layout with sub-dials arranged on a North-South axis. A 30-minute sub-scale resides underneath the 12 o’clock location, whilst the small second dial features at 6 o’clock. A flash of red can be seen in the 30-minute and 60-second makers respectively, whilst the rest of the display boasts refined central hour and minute hands, stick-like indexes around the hour track, and a needle-fine chronograph central second hand. These features, together with the IWC Schaffhausen lettering at 3 o’clock and the chronograph lettering at 9 o’clock, are all protected underneath a sapphire crystal glass lens with anti-reflective and scratch-resistant properties. Additionally, the 12 and 6 o’clock locations on the hour track are also represented by traditional Roman numeral hour markers – a signature design element seen throughout timepieces from the Portofino watch collection.
Inside the new IWC Portofino Laureus Sport For Good watch is the Calibre 73950. The automatic chronograph calibre is based on the tried and tested Valjoux 7750, which produces a 44-hour power reserve and beats to the rhythm of 28,800 vibrations per hour. The movement is adorned with traditional Cotes de Geneve and perlage decoration but is, in the case of this design, impeded by a closed steel caseback.
Limited to 1000 pieces worldwide, the 39mm Portofino Laureus Sport For Good watch from IWC Schaffhausen is expected to sell out soon. To produce a more compact Portofino case size, much more than case dimensions have been considered and this is clear in the clever design of this new IWC Laureus Sport For Good edition. The reconstruction of the case and all features on the dial combine with piston-style pushers and polished effects around the case to create this new stylish limited edition Portofino watch in more wearable proportions. It makes for a perfect investment piece for those who have followed the story of the Laureus Sport For Good organisation from the beginning and the role in which IWC has actively played in its success. The model comes complete on a stylish black calfskin leather strap with a stainless steel buckle engraved with the IWC logo.
For more information on the watch, you can check out the full spec of the timepiece here online or call and speak to a member of our Jura Watches sales team on 01335 453453
