A visit at the IWC boutique at the Bon Marché in Paris

Nov 30, 2014,03:26 AM
 

The Bon Marché is a famous store located on the left bank of Paris. Several months ago, the luxury watches department was redesigned allowing several high end brands to create their own corners/boutiques with their own image rules. I have to confess that I was seduced by the outcome of this reorganization since each brand managed to define its specific universe without forgetting, overall, a good balance between  large and more confidential companies.

IWC is one of the Richemont brands which have their own boutiques at the Bon Marché and further to an invitation to discover the new Portofino Midsize collection, I had the pleasure to visit this point of sale located in one of the more active shopping areas of Paris.

Even if the purpose of the invitation was to have a closer look on the collection which was unveiled at Watches & Wonders, I couldn't resist to have a look on some other watches.

Let's start with the two new Red Gold versions of the Portofino Chronograph.

This Chronograph becomes now available with this Red Gold case and two dial versions: slate or silver.

The interest of this new metal is to bring more elegance and a warmer touch to the Portofino Chronograph which appears to be, at least in my mind, to an alternative to the Portuguese Chronograph... but this time with date and a day displays.

The watch features a 42mm case and is powered by the 75320 movement (44 hours of power reserve, 4hz) which is, I believe, a Sellita SW500 caliber with the IWC specifications.
 




The dial finishings are flawless and the perceived quality is excellent thanks to the very thin applied details and the outer rings of the two main subdials:




The convex sapphire glass nicely matches the watch which offers a very good legibility. The two details I appreciate the most are the shape of the pushers and of the hands. The movement is not visible due to the use of a solid caseback with an engraved view of Portofino. It is a good idea since the 75320 is more famous for its efficiency and reliability than its beauty.

Due to the quite thin bezel and the large dial opening, the Portofino Chronograph looks a bit larger than its 42mm diameter. It is a point to consider.




After the slate dial version, here are some pictures of the silver dial one.

Obviously, due to its lighter dial colour, this version looks even larger than the other one.












We stay within the Portofino family with some representatives of the new Midsize collection which was unveiled a few weeks ago at Watches & Wonders. Sadly, my fav watch of the collection, the Automatic Moon Phase, was not available. But hopefully, I could handle the Automatic Day & Night I also appreciate.

The question I have in my mind is to understand the strategy from IWC with this collection. Actually, IWC is felt as a very "male" brand and I can even say that this testosterone is a part of the DNA of the brand. And I don't even talk about some previous ads!

The Portofino Midsize collection has clearly the objective to expand the customers base of IWC with watches more dedicated to ladies. But IWC plays it with subtility. They don't clearly introduce the Portofino Midsize collection as a "Ladies' collection". In fact, it can also appel to men who look for more delicate and refined  watches with some precious details like the set bezels or the diamonds on the dial.

The watches pictured below feature 37mm cases, a diameter which was, not a long time ago, the usual size for dressed watches.

The Automatic Day & Night is dedicated to the people who travel or who work with remote offices thanks to a second timezone display.

I like the lay-out of the dial which nicely integrates the day&night display thanks to a 24 hours inner ring.

The Portofino family air is highlighted thanks to the case shape and of course, the hands and the two large roman figures on top and on the bottom of the dial.


Here is the stainless-steel version with MOP dial. It offers some nice blue details reinforced by the blue Santoni strap:








The Portofino Midsize Automatic Day & Night on the wrist of the Manager of the boutique. It looks good on her wrist!




We stay in the same atmosphere with these two versions of the Portofino Midsize Automatic. 10 different variations of this watch are available: silver or slate dials, set bezel or not, diamonds on the dial or dot indexes, red gold or stainless steel case. Even a milanese mesh bracelet is available!

Of course, we find again the elements which make these watches members of the Portofino family:








The choice of the use of the diamonds: 66 diamonds on the bezel or 12 on the dial. Both watches are using Santoni straps:




Like it is often the case with the Portofino collection, I like the combo slate dial and red gold case:

 








So diamonds on the dial or on the bezel? When put on a lady's wrist, it is difficult to choose! It is a matter of taste but I prefer the 12 diamonds on the dial. They remain discreet and the watch is at the end less ostentatious wile keeping its precious side.






 
I couldn't leave the boutique without putting on my wrist one of the main watches of the brand! Here are two stainless steel versions of the Portuguese Chronograph. Year after year, it remains an iconic watch of the industry and one of the most appealing chronographs thanks to its dial lay-out, the applied figures and the large dial opening which gives it a strong presence on the wrist.








I would like to thank a lot the staff of the boutique for the warm welcome.

Fr.Xavier

This message has been edited by foversta on 2014-11-30 03:36:59

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A visit at the IWC boutique at the Bon Marché in Paris

 
 By: foversta : November 30th, 2014-03:26
The Bon March is a famous store located on the left bank of Paris. Several months ago, the luxury watches department was redesigned allowing several high end brands to create their own corners/boutiques with their own image rules. I have to confess that ...

Nice presentation Fx as usual

 
 By: Mark in Paris : November 30th, 2014-04:16
I always had a little soft spot for the Portofino line as it has a nice elegant style. Maybe they should now offer to that watch a "nicer" movement. Thanks for sharing :) Cheers, Mark

Thanks Mark for your words!

 
 By: foversta : November 30th, 2014-13:25
Yes... me too I would be happy to see more actual in-house movements in the Portofino line. It deserves them. Fx

Rive Gauche vs Rive Droite and is IWC better?

 
 By: MTF : December 1st, 2014-06:00
FrX I always get my Left and Right bank mixed up in Paris because in my mind...it is North and South edges of the River Seine :-) I did not know there was 'shopping' on the Left Bank since all the luxury hot spots I know are on the other side viz. Opera, ...

We have some nice " spots " on the left bank.

 
 By: amanico : December 1st, 2014-06:11
Left bank is much better... The Latin Quarter is on the left bank, the soul of Paris too... Money in on the right bank. ;) Best, Nicolas

I'm glad that IWC released a "feminine" line ...

 
 By: nilomis : December 7th, 2014-13:39
Despite that they deny trying to maintain the "ingeneered for men" motto. I explain the reason: Finally I could give a IWC watch to my wife (now she owns 3 Portofino watches) and this placates my conscience because I own some. Thanks for the presentation ...