There is a photograph from the late 1950s, Elizabeth Taylor stepping off a wooden boat in Portofino, the sea shimmering behind her. Locals still tell the story of how she wandered into the village, unnoticed at first, until her laughter echoed through the piazza.
These were the years when Portofino transformed from a humble fishing village into a haven for Hollywood icons, artists, poets, and aristocrats. It wasn’t glamorous in an obvious way; it was effortlessly glamorous.
It was this quiet magic that inspired IWC to create the Portofino line.
A Design Born from Simplicity
In the late 1970s, IWC designers took a vintage pocket watch from the archives and imagined it reinterpreted for the wrist, clean dial, elegant proportions, nothing unnecessary.
That moment became the foundation of the Portofino collection: uncluttered, balanced, and timeless.
The Blue Dial That Mirrors the Mediterranean
The IW356523 features a deep blue dial inspired by the evening waters of Portofino’s harbor; that exact shade of blue just before sunset, when fishing boats float like brushstrokes on glass.
Locals say there’s a moment, right after dusk, when the sea turns the perfect shade of indigo. That is the Portofino blue.
Made for Slow Evenings and Quiet Style
With its polished 40mm steel case and smooth leather strap, this model embodies the relaxed elegance of Riviera life. The slim leaf-shaped hands and minimalist markers capture the purity of classic IWC design.
Inside, a reliable automatic movement powers the watch — precise, discreet, and crafted for a lifetime of wear.
In Essence
The IWC Portofino Automatic 40 IW356523 is a celebration of Italian charm and Swiss craft — a watch that channels La Dolce Vita through simplicity, elegance, and stories shaped by the sea.
