IWC Portofino Chronograph

About This Watch

The IWC Portofino Chronograph IW391036 brings the sophistication of a dress chronograph to IWC's most elegant collection, now powered by the in-house caliber 69355. This represents a significant upgrade from the previous generation, which used an externally sourced base caliber, giving the Portofino Chronograph genuine manufacture credibility. The 42mm case is slightly larger than the time-only Portofino, but the polished finish and thin bezel maintain the collection's dressy character. The silver dial features two subdials in a vertical layout — running seconds at 6 and 30-minute counter at 12 — which mirrors the Portugieser Chronograph's arrangement, creating a visual link between IWC's two most refined collections. The column-wheel chronograph mechanism ensures crisp pusher feel, while the Pellaton winding system with ceramic components provides durability. The Portofino Chronograph occupies interesting territory: it offers essentially the same in-house chronograph technology as the more expensive Portugieser but in a simpler, more modern dress-watch package. For those who find the Portugieser's railroad chapter ring and Arabic numerals too ornate, the Portofino's clean baton indices offer a more contemporary alternative without sacrificing mechanical substance.