As far as scene setting goes, one would be hard pressed to find a more glamorous vignette; Cate Blanchett, Emily Blunt, Zhou Xun, Christoph Waltz and Ewan McGregor (women in pin sharp tuxedos, men in relaxed suiting), luxuriating on the leafy terrace of Portofino’s Splendido hotel and environs. Captured for watchmaker IWC by master lensman Peter Lindbergh, this Italian-flavoured dash of fantasy heralds the arrival of the new Portofino Midsize collection this week, a fine array of watches from the historical horologist brand, which was founded in Switzerland in 1868. It also happily ties in with the brand's growing connection to the film industry, having recently celebrated a partnership with the BFI.  It’s a suitably grand launch of the new range, which comes as part of the Portofino line that the brand introduced to their firmament 30 years ago. The collection marks something a departure from the solid, masculine aesthetic, with watches in slightly smaller dimensions lending a more feminine influence to the timepieces. The Portofino Midsize Automatic Moon Phase in stainless steel is a particularly elegant number, boasting a charming Moon Phase display and a case set with a veritable starry sky of 66 diamonds.  The Midsize Automatic in sapphire glass is a classic, handsome timepiece, with anything from 12 to 66 diamonds set in the dial and a rich, textured alligator strap, while the Automatic Day & Night is a weighty, substantial model in either stainless steel or red gold and a dial with 24-hour display.  The reduction in size chimes nicely with the current vogue for more discreet watches and less bauble-centric bling. IWC's continuing evolution also takes a leap forward this winter with the house’s first New Bond Street store debuting in December, joining the other haute horologists – Breitling, Jaeger-LeCoultre and Piaget to name a few – who’ve made the strip their home. The drizzle of Mayfair in December might be something of a departure from the lapping waters of Portofino, but there's always the captivating campaign to give one a happy lift from wintry reality...
Against a suitably glamorous backdrop and help from the film industry's biggest stars, IWC launch their new Midsize range