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IWC Portofino Watch For 2011

The IWC watch you never see or hear about in America is usually the Portofino. In my opinion, we are a Big Pilot and Aquatimer country - but I digress. The odd member out in the collection was always the Portofino. Not a bad looking watch in and of itself, it was sort of shoved under the carpet but IWC's more distinctive collections. For 2011 the Portofino get's a total rewrite. To me they feel very much like the classic Max Bill designed watches.

According to IWC, the Portofino was always their entry-level model. Not sure if that will still hold true, but it might for some of its basic versions. Interesting enough, IWC is due to debut a whole range of new Portofino watches - not just one or two models. There will be at least 4-5 new Portofino pieces in the 2011 collection.

Available in 18k gold or steel, the Portofino will be 40mm wide and have black or white dials. Models include the Automatic, Chronograph, Dual Time, and the pictured Hand-Wound Eight Days. Inside this latter model is the caliber 59210 manually wound movement that is modeled after a pocket watch movement. It features a very long 8 days of power reserve, along with a power reserve indicator on the dial. Other features include the time, subsidiary seconds dial, and the date. The new deals are attractive. You can see how IWC retained the distinctive Portofino hands (which can be an acquired taste). I do enjoy the rounded case edges and thin bezel that will have the watch looking as large as possible on the wrist. This is also added to by the relatively thin and highly curved lugs. Attached to the watches will be Italian leather straps.

I will look out for details on more of the new IWC Portofino watches as I learn of them. Not sure about prices, but looks like they might be going up from those of the outgoing Portofino models.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch reviews site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: 2011, 8, eight days, hand wound, IWC, portofino, sihh, watch

Stefan Johansson Växjö Mark VIII Watch Line

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

I love it when someone get's to the point of wealth and taste in their life when "starting a watch brand" seems like a good idea. Who wouldn't like their own watch brand anyway? Shows good taste - at least I think so. Well that is more or less what Stefan Johansson did. So here is the Stefan Johansson Växjö Mark VII collection, which has about 15 watches to choose from. It is Stefan Johansson Växjö's largest line, and is a luxury racing inspired watch if I have ever seen one.

Stefan Johansson is a European race car Driver and this shows in the watches. For example, the hour indicators are all racing flags, and little touches on the speak of sport racing. Interestingly enough, unlike some other auto sports watches, the timepiece focus more on racing as a sport than just the cars. This is an interesting touch as most of race watches have design elements all over them meant to look like pieces of cars. Here it is a bit different.

The watches come in a wealth of fun colors and themes. With two movement options, the automatic ETA Valjoux 7750 and 7751. The 47mm wide steel cased watches have a variety of dials, some being perforated, and some have carbon fiber - all embody the track theme well. There are a few women's versions of the watch, but they are also 47mm wide, for the lady who likes things big (with diamonds too)

The hour indicator for the chronograph has a double ring so that you can feasibly measure 24, instead of just 12 hours. Maybe something connected with Le Mans, that Stefan Johansson was a participant in I understand. The watches can also be customized with your name on the caseback sapphire window, and further comes in watch winder boxes. A cheeky collection of timepieces that incorporate some popular elements in a nicely cohesive manner. Average price for the Stefan Johansson Växjö Mark VIII collection watches is about $10,000.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: 8, driving, mark, race, Stefan Johansson Vxj, StefanJohanssonVxj, timepiece, VIII, watch

Orbita Avanti 8 Watch Winder Cabinet

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Orbita, the North Carolina based maker of watch winders, has recently adapted their popular Avanti 12 watch winder line to the new Orbita Avanti 8. It is a well-made wood cabinet (available in two different types of wood - Macassar and Madrona Burl) that comes in either a pedestal or wall mounted unit. Glass doors open to reveal eight programmable watch winder units. Orbita has long since been a creator of enthusiast-oriented watch winder units that make living with a collection of mechanical watches so much more convenient.

The Avanti 8 removed the bottom third row of watch winder from the cabinet. The multi-purpose space can be used to store additional watch items or accessories. I also understand that Orbita has some modules that can fit in this space. Accordingly, the Avanti 8 is less expensive than the Avanti 12. The unit is constructed mostly from wood, carbon fiber, glass, steel, brass, chrome, or gold plated steel hinges. The Avanti units are powered via an AC/DC adapter and is 20 inches tall, by 23 inches wide, and 9 inches deep (weighs in at 42lbs). Although it is priced at about $10,000, it is considered mid-range in the world of quality watch winders from a cost perspective.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: 8, avanti, cabinet, orbita, watch winder, WatchWinder