Those of you who regularly read this Forum already know that Friday was a pretty good day for me, as I picked up both a Pisa Portugieser as well as the Portofino Moonphase pocket watch you see above.
Most of us are familiar with the 5251 Portofino Moonphase wristwatch, but I have seen or read much less of the 5250 Taschenuhr version. I remember seeing one during the Collectors Meeting in Schaffhausen a few years ago. I believe it may have been Ralph’s but my memory is fuzzy.
MF and several others have written articles about the Portofino, but they seem to focus more on the 5251 wrist model. I have never seen in those articles any firm data or even guesses regarding the number of pocket watch versions that were produced in each of the two case metals or in total.
I’ve known where this watch was for years. I almost bought it at the time I bought my 5251, but financial considerations prevented that. They still do, but sometimes a guy just has to do what a guy has to do!
I hope you enjoyed the photos. If anyone has information regarding the production figures for the 5250, I’d love to hear from them.
Fairly rare pair indeed! While many of us are familiar with the 5251 Portofino Moonphase wrist watch, how many have ever seen its sibling 5250 Taschenuhr?
As is typical IWC, the cardboard outer and leather inner box are understated and give little indication of what lies inside.
Only when one opens the box is the eye dazzled by the beauty within.
This is one of the few times I’ve managed to capture the twinkling stars alongside the moon. Note that the layout of the pocket watch differs from the wristwatch and is the same as that used on the new Vintage Collection Portofino.
The watch was cased in two metals: yellow gold, or, as here, Sterling Silver. The reverse is unadorned and unengraved – smooth as a baby’s bottom!
I’m glad my wrist version has a display back. The pocket watch back is solid and hides a lovely movement.
I could look at this all day!
The 5250 is quite svelte – in fact other than the crown and bow is essentially the same size as the wrist model
Now it’s time to get some photos of the Pisa!
