Bahrain, 25 May 2015 – Swiss luxury watch manufacturer IWC Schaffhausen and its long-standing partner in Bahrain, Asia Jewellers, will be jointly hosting an exhibition of the elegant Portofino Midsize collection in Bahrain’s Moda Mall from 23 to 29 May 2015. This exclusive travelling exhibition will run until the end of June and make stopovers in other Middle Eastern cities, such as Doha & Beirut.  Watch collectors and connoisseurs are invited to step into the luxurious and timeless world of the Portofino Midsize collection.

From Portofino to Bahrain
A lounge created specifically for the Portofino Midsize exhibition transports visitors to the Italian coastal village of Portofino. IWC brand ambassadors, supermodels Karolina Kurkova and Adriana Lima, were photographed for the Peter Lindbergh shoot in Portofino in May 2014 and presented the watches while wearing tuxedos, a look that is both modern and timeless – the perfect complement to the new Portofino collection. Commenting on the collection, Karoline Huber, Brand Director of IWC Schaffhausen Middle East & India, says: “Portofino as a fishing village has charmed numerous visitors and celebrities over decades, while Portofino as a watch family has established itself as an integral part of IWC’s history. We are really happy to showcase the Portofino Midsize collection in the wonderful cities of the Middle East.”  

Pure Elegance
Catering to watch lovers who prefer a slightly smaller timepiece, the Portofino collection is characterized by simple, timeless designs that have led this watch family to become one of IWC Schaffhausen’s most successful. Some exceptional timepieces from the collection that will be on display include the Portofino Midsize Automatic Moon Phase (Ref. 4590), which to the delight of many watch lovers brought back the popular moon phase display in the 2014 Portofino collection. The timepiece presented here is the 18-carat white gold version (Ref. IW459004) with 90 diamonds set in the case, a black alligator leather strap and a black lacquer dial set with 84 diamonds. This model is fitted with a 35800-calibre movement. The Portofino Midsize Automatic Day & Night (Ref. 4591) with 24-hour day/night display and a second time zone combines discreet luxury with the suave urbanity of a new, mobile generation. It is the perfect watch for people who do business worldwide, for jet-setters and night owls, and here is displayed in stainless steel (Ref. IW459101) with 66 diamonds set in the case, a dark blue alligator leather strap and a white mother-of-pearl dial set with 12 diamonds, and features a 35700-calibre movement. Finally, the Portofino Midsize Automatic (Ref. 4581) in its 37-millimetre case is offered in four red gold and six stainless-steel versions and is available with or without a diamond-set bezel. The timepiece on show here (Ref. IW458107) features an 18-carat red gold case set with 66 diamonds, a lilac alligator leather strap and a silver-plated dial and is fitted with a 35111-calibre movement.