A surprising release from IWC this month reminds us that the brand is more than just Big Pilots these days. Something new in the formal Portofino collection may not get the big splashy headlines of their tool watches, but this Perpetual Calendar certainly caught our attention nonetheless. This watch marks the return of a perpetual calendar complication to the Portofino family for the first time in decades, and at 40mm, represents the smallest such example across the brand?s catalog. IWC has always had a knack for their unique perpetual calendar presentations, and this Portofino may just represent the most compelling execution to date. 

Mechanical full calendar watches are, of course, quite complex. Not only in their construction but also in the amount of information they?re charged with presenting to the end wearer in an easily consumable fashion. All the more when attempting to create a svelte formal watch. IWC perpetual calendars may look chaotic at a glance, but are generally quite straightforward in presentation. The new Portofino Perpetual Calendar takes it a step further, reducing the components to only essential information, creating enough space to be easily understood and read at a glance. This level of restraint has paid dividends not just in the practicality department, but also in the overall aesthetic of the watch.
The new complicated Portofino presents a trio of subdials containing all relevant information, and doesn?t let a whole lot else get in t...