At the end it's about sales....
with appropriate margins. Marketing and branding are means to sales.
When I said that I hadn't seen the new models, that doesn't mean that I've not had discussions about them. I've talked to key executives about marketing strategies, potential sales issues, movements, size, prices --lots of issues.
I won't say any more for now. No hints on specific models or designs. But you may wish to reread carefully what I've said (and haven't said).
Regards,
Michael
This post is hidden. You cannot not see its contents.
Hidden by on 8 Nov 2018, 3:59 p.m..
Hmmm...I'm thinking Portofino....
I would definitely reintroduce an optional steel bracelet with the Portofino models.
I wish IWC would do so. Ideally, the Portofino will be my next IWC. But, residing in a subtropical climate (St. Louis, where the humidity matches the temperature in the warm months), I do not relish the idea of the leather band disintegrating before my eyes and therefore insist on a steel strap.
Sounds like a good idea to me (nt)
Thinking about tropical straps for the classics
I am wearing three Portuguese watches regularly the last year, two gold and one steel. I have my gold Saint Exupéry, my steel VC Pilot's watch. All of them on leather strap, only my titanium Inge has a bracelet. Should I only wear my Inge during summertime? I can wear the leather straps as I am lucky, working in a nice office building with climate control. But otherwise I would be stuck. Golden bracelets? No, thank you, I know better ways to spend my money, like buying another watch. Steel bracelets? Well, maybe, but it seems to be not done to wear a bracelet on a Portuguese.
As IWC keeps selling more and more watches to Asia, where the summer is warm and humid, IWC should think about offering good, non-rubber straps for their classical models. They should look smart, and they should wear very comfortable, coping with heat and sweat, feeling cool and dry. Did IWC ever put their mind to it? I think they should, I at least would feel very well serviced, not needing to look around, and having to buy a leather strap that I would not need. This would mean: to buy the watch, and to buy the fitting strap, put together by the AD. Sure, a logistical challenge maybe, but a satisfied customer too.
Kind regards,
Paul, wearing steel VC Pilot's watch
MF has laid out a cogent and "right on" >>>
line of thought as we anticipate the new Portofino line up in 2011. It is a settled marketing segmentation strategy to expand existing lines with the objective to increase total dollar sales and margins. Just as the Portuguese line has expanded from the basic automatic to chronographs, minute repeaters, turbillons, and Perpetual Calendars, so too will the Portofino line expand by adding beautiful designs within the family together with more complications for us to admire and buy. I am not reading a crystal ball on what the new complications may be, but I expect an in-house movement . I agree they will keep the more price driven entry level Portofinos as the base for the Portofino segment. It is great to see the potential for new and better models even at a higher price points. There will be something for everyone.
Bill
What is the current iconic Portofino?
A large dressy HW watch. So, the extent of the line should go that way, with variations. What about a HW watch without moonphase, but with day-date? Is there place for a chronograph? No, but maybe with the KK perpetual calendar? Those wouldn't compete with Portuguese but complete them by offering something different. Keep in mind : flat and large watches. That's the way. And no in-house movement.
My 2 cent.
Jean
To answer your question
I guess the iconic Portofino is the current VC Portofino. Big, flat, hand-wound. But also an expensive in-house movement: the 98xxx seems to be quite expensive to make. So, is IWC going to develop cheaper in-house movements, to use is a wide range of watches? A flat automatic in-house movement with Pellaton seems to be a challenge. Some in-house movement with UTC/GMT and date/day would be nice.
Kind regards,
Paul, wearing steel VC Portuguese
To answer your question
My first IWC was a Portofino 3513, with a stainless steel bracelet closely followed by a 4531 for my wife and a 2010 for me! They are elegant, low profile and original and I love them. I have progressed to Pilot, Portuguese, Ingenieur and Novocento but my first love is still one of my favourites.
I think this is an excellent thread.
Yes I think the pre-2011 Portofino series has been very popular in Asia - I put it down to the lower price as well as the pre-2011 Portofino Chronograph Automatic 378303 easy-identification with wearers: day/date/chronograph functions.
For myself, almost purchasing a 378303 a few years ago - and thereafter not quite 'sold' on it, and jumping at the new Portofino 3910 since seeing it last year, then holding back again, and then finally settling on the Portugese 5001 as my first IWC timepiece.
Its the conventionalism of it that put me off. In the 2011 series, its the thin-ness too. I would love to see a Portofino at least 14 mm thick and with a less conventional design.
