Ticking with Purpose

Imagine a watch that doesn’t simply mark the passage of time, but transforms it.

This is the vision behind IWC Schaffhausen’s latest creation: the Portofino Automatic Pointer Date Laureus.

At first glance, it is a study in restraint; elegant, refined, unmistakably IWC. But within its classic lines and cool, steel silhouette lies a deeper story. One that stretches far beyond horology.

This timepiece is the 17th special edition to emerge from IWC’s enduring collaboration with Laureus Sport for Good, a foundation devoted to changing lives through the power of sport.

And this year marks a milestone: 20 years since the partnership began, and 25 years since Laureus first launched with Nelson Mandela’s now-immortal words: “Sport has the power to change the world.”

Time, too, has the power to change things, especially in the hands of those who know how to use it well.

Set against the Portofino’s iconic 39mm frame is a dial in deep Laureus blue, finished with a delicate sunray brushing that shimmers under shifting light.

The analogue pointer-date at 6 o’clock brings a hint of vintage charm to the modern dress watch, while rhodium-plated details add quiet sophistication.

The movement within, automatic calibre 35160, is engineered to keep rhythm with lives that never pause, offering a 50-hour power reserve.

On the caseback, an engraving marks Laureus’ 25th anniversary; a reminder that this is a tribute to change-makers, past and present.

This year, IWC’s spotlight falls on Figure Skating in Harlem, a programme unlike any other.

Based in New York City, it’s the only organisation in the world that fuses academic mentorship with the athletic poetry of figure skating, empowering girls of colour with the tools to lead, speak, create, and thrive.

Founded in 1997, Figure Skating in Harlem works with more than 200 young women each year, guiding them from classroom to ice rink and beyond. It is grace paired with grit, elegance driven by intellect. A fitting mirror to the watch that honours it.

“This watch is a symbol of what can be achieved when purpose and craftsmanship move together.” says Franziska Gsell, CMO of IWC Schaffhausen.

The initiative has drawn global recognition; most recently from Disney+, where the programme was the focus of a five-part documentary produced by Ron Howard, Brian Grazer and Robin Roberts.

For Olympian and Laureus Academy Member Katarina Witt, the alignment with IWC feels natural.

“There’s something magical about a watch that speaks to both beauty and meaning,” she reflects.

And therein lies the soul of this watch. In a market saturated with limited editions and novelty complications, the Portofino Automatic Pointer Date Laureus quietly transcends.

So imagine a watch that reflects your values, that ticks with purpose, and that, like the young women of Harlem, moves forward with grace.

This is time, reimagined.