Last year IWC unveiled the IWC Portofino Hand-Wound Eight Days Watch. This is a new watch by Portofino that features the new 59210-caliber created by IWC.  The name of the watch is very self explanatory as manufacturers claim this new caliber will run with precision for eight days in a row.

The watch has a 45 mm case that is 12 mm thick, and its thin lugs and a small crown give it an uncomplicated appeal.  It is water resistant to 100 feet and can look polished and appropriate in a formal black tie event as well as in informal events.

The bezel has clean and simple lines and both the dial and the back of the case are covered by an AR scratch-resistant sapphire glass.  The complete movement can be clearly seen through the crystal on the back of the case.

The real novelty here is the caliber 59210 mechanical movement from Schaffhausen.  This is a new in-house movement spent two years in the making, and is based on the Caliber 50000.  The movement is 37.9mm in diameter, includes 30 jewels and runs at 28,800 vibrations per hour.

The dial is very easy to read with hour and minute markers, and a Roman numeral at the twelve o’clock position.  There is also a date window at the three o’clock position, a small second’s counter at the 6 o’clock position and a power reserve indicator at the 8:30 position.

The Eight Days watch can be found with an 18-karat red gold case and a slate-colored dial featuring solid gold indices.  It is also available with a stainless-steel case featuring a black dial with gold plated indices or with a silver-plated dial and rhodium-plated indices.

The red gold version of the watch is almost twice as expensive as the other two, but all versions include alligator leather straps manufactured by the renowned Italian shoe manufacturer Santoni.  These straps are hand finished and have a patent-leather type patina that enhances the details and the color of the straps.

This is a beautiful timepiece with simple and classic lines.  Let me know if you like this watch as much as I do.