My homage to the Vintage Collection Portofino

The historic fishing port of Portofino was founded by the Romans and originally called Portus Delphini, or Port of the Dolphins. It became part of the Republic of Genoa after 1229 and existed as a fishing port for centuries. It has now given way to Tourism as the main attraction. Portofino is just south of Genova and North of La Specia on the Gulf of Genova.

[](i95.photobucket.com/albums/l156/wbarker75/Portofino/PortofinowithMap.jpg)

You only have to take a quick look at a picture of Portofino to appreciate the beauty of the place.

[](i95.photobucket.com/albums/l156/wbarker75/Portofino/PortofPortofinoPicture.jpg)

Two years ago I spent some time in Portofino sampling the various restaurants surrounding the small harbor. It is a stunningly beautiful place as is IWC’s Vintage Collection Portofino Hand Wound wrist watch reference 5448, which I will refer to as the VCP.

IWC introduced the VCP at SIHH 2008 to pay homage to the Giant Portofino Moonphase watch Reference 5251 introduced in 1984. This reference was produced in small quantities until the end of the 1990’s and now enjoys a cult following as one of the icons of its era. Its Giant size of 46 mm in the 1980’s was a revolution in wrist watch sizes as were the Portuguese models. In effect it put a pocket watch on one’s wrist.

You only have to take a quick look at the Original 5251 and now the VCP to appreciate the simple beauty of both of these timepieces.

[](i95.photobucket.com/albums/l156/wbarker75/Portofino/TwoVintangePortofinoPictures.jpg)

When I first saw Michael Friedberg’s SIHH write up and photos of the Vintage Collection offerings, I knew I had to have the VCP. Although I also own a Portuguese Perpetual Calendar, this one has a special simple elegance in its design. And of course, it has the traditional and expected “Probus Scafusia” fine craftsmanship from Schaffhausen. The VCP at 46 mm is 2 mm larger than the PPC and significantly lighter, 85 grams vs. 145 grams for the PPC.

[](i95.photobucket.com/albums/l156/wbarker75/Portofino/DuelingMoonphases.jpg)

Homage part 2

The VCP is also thinner at 11 mm than the PPC’s 15.6 mm.

[](i95.photobucket.com/albums/l156/wbarker75/Portofino/StackedMoonphases.jpg)

The VCP has been on my arm for only a few days and my appreciation for its beauty grows each day. The dial is the epitome of simplicity. The small seconds hand at 6 o’clock is in perfect harmony with the Moonphase disk at 12 o’clock. According to IWC the VCP corrected a “charming flaw in the 5251’s movement”. That movement drove a Lepine pocket watch which for technical reason put the moon phase at 3 o’clock and the seconds subdial at 9 o’clock.. “But, from a watchmaker’s point of view was not quite right” according to IWC’s literature. The new VCP corrected that design anomaly. According to IWC the VCP “has undergone another fundamental optimization: the display precision of the lunar phase has been increased considerably, and now deviates from the actual lunar sequence by only one day in 122 years. The lunar phase can moreover easily be corrected via the crown”.

The Breguet hands, the Moon Disk, and background stars are a bright and reflective silver. These are very elegant against the deep back dial. The slim Roman numbers add distinction and a bit more formality to the design.

[](i95.photobucket.com/albums/l156/wbarker75/Portofino/Portofino10after2CU.jpg)

[](i95.photobucket.com/albums/l156/wbarker75/Portofino/PortofinoMoonDiskCU.jpg)

Homage part 3

I spend almost as much time looking at the movement through the crystal display back as I do starring at the dial. The large diameter allows excellent viewing of the caliber 98800 based on the original Jones caliber 98 movement. The nickel silver plated three quarter plate is beautifully decorated. Your eyes are immediately drawn to the large balance wheel with Breguet spring and the elongated index. “Portofino” is engraved on the bezel of the back as you can see.

[](i95.photobucket.com/albums/l156/wbarker75/Portofino/PortofinoLogoonBezel.jpg)

I can look for hours as the balance wheel oscillates and the pallets tick away the time:

[](i95.photobucket.com/albums/l156/wbarker75/Portofino/PortofinoBalanceWheelandCock.jpg)

The VCP has 18 jewels. The movement vibrates at 18,800 /h, 2.5 hertz. The power reserve for this hand wound movement is 46 hours.

[](i95.photobucket.com/albums/l156/wbarker75/Portofino/BalanceWheelCU.jpg)

I marvel at the elongated index:

[](i95.photobucket.com/albums/l156/wbarker75/Portofino/PortofinoBalanceCockCU.jpg)

The Probus crown.

[](i95.photobucket.com/albums/l156/wbarker75/Portofino/PortofinoCrownCU.jpg)

I am truly enamored with this 140 Anniversary Portofino Hand Wound watch. Even at 46 mm it fits my wrist perfectly. This will be a permanent part of my collection.

[](i95.photobucket.com/albums/l156/wbarker75/Portofino/PortofinoWristShot_edited-1.jpg)

If there are any errors in the technical descriptions, I apologize in advance and expect the experts will chime in to set the record straight.

Thanks for taking time to read this review.

Bill

brilliant

thanks for sharing bill.
great pics but the best one is the one on your wrist. looks amazing.
i think it might have become my favourite IWC.
i can't wait to get my vintage case now - long wait ahead.
enjoy your watch.

Well Done Bill...A Triple Treat. (nt)

A Triple Crown in posting

Hello Bill

Very impressed indeed by your photos and text. Thank you.

                 Best regards
                   Argiris

I have the feeling

that you are in love with this watch.......I hope that your wife wont get too jealous.

Wonderful story Bill.

Andrew

My homage to the Vintage Collection Portofino

Bill
That is a truly beautiful watch, thank you for your great photos.

The more pictures you post the...

more likely it is that I will purchase one. It is a great looking watch.

An essay in watch-love! And I don't blame you >>

It looks great and fits your wrist perfectly. Well done.

Ross

Great review Bill!

What a stunning timepiece you have there. Thanks very much for the side by side pictures with the Port Perpetual.

Enjoy your new watch and wear it in good health,

Clemens

But how do you liike it? Man, the

love comes pouring forth. Great watch, along with a superb writeup.

Sometimes...

it's just too difficult to write appropriate responses. I am working off an I-touch away from home and it's not easy to participate fully. So, Bill and Michael I feel I can understand how thrilled you both must be with the VCP and the PRT. Enjoy.

Kind regards

Ralph

Incredible Portofino action. Thank you.

Great homage to the Vintage Collection Portofino!!

I love it!

Thanks Bill and you're getting a stunning collection!

Greetings, Martijn

well done .....

this watch is growing to me.

Very nicely done Bill...>

So, the big boat in the harbor was yours???

Cheers from Isobars.

That one is just the dingy, my yacht

is anchored out at sea being too large for the harbor. LOL.

Bill