IWC Portofino 3550-01 Moonphase & Date

Produced for just two years, from 1984 to 1986, the IWC Portofino ref. 3550-01 is one of the earliest automatic moonphase wristwatches from @iwcwatches.

Many confused this reference with 3512, which is a similar watch with date only (no moonphase).

With such a short run, an estimate of only a few hundred pieces exists.

Measuring 34mm in diameter and just 8.5mm thick, it’s rendered in 18k yellow gold case, champagne dail with a moonphase at 12 and a date at 6. Quietly elegant, mechanically interesting, and slim enough to slide under your cuff with ease.

Inside beats the Caliber 3755, based on the ETA 2892-A2 and fitted with a moonphase and date module, reliable, refined, and a testament to IWC’s resilience during the post-quartz years.

This is discreet watchmaking at its best. 🌙

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