For many decades now, the former fishing village of Portofino on the Gulf of Tigullio near Genoa, Italy, has epitomized the laidback way of life of southern Europe. The classically elegant Portofino watch family is a subtle reflection of this lifestyle. The history of the Portofino watch family began in the late 1970s. Back then, IWC noted a steady demand for timeless, classic models. The elegant IWC Lépine pocket watch, Reference 5201, served as the basis for the new watch collection: the dial was rotated through 90 degrees and the movement was equipped with a moon phase display. And that was it: the new “pocket-watch-style wristwatch” Reference 5251, which was unveiled in 1984, went by the name “Portofino”. Since then, the Portofino collection has been one of IWC’s most successful watch families – an expression of understatement and good taste.