IWC Launches Portofino Midsize Watch Collection During Watches&Wonders

Peter Lindbergh & Zhou Xun

IWC Schaffhausen hosted an exclusive gala dinner, during the recent Watches&Wonders exhibition in Hong Kong, to mark the launch of the new Portofino Midsize watch collection. Among the 250 guests that included watch connoisseurs and celebrities, IWC also welcomed brand ambassadors Cate Blanchett, Zhou Xun, Karolina Kurkova and star photographer Peter Lindbergh – all of whom played leading roles in the Portofino photo shoot.

Held at the Grand Hyatt the guests attending the gala, were treated to a specially prepared dinner, and had the chance to get a close look at the exquisite Portofino Midsize watch collection. With these slightly smaller, elegant, diamond-set timepieces, IWC has added some dazzling highlights to its enormously popular Portofino watch family which fit perfectly with the timeless flair of the eponymous Italian coastal town.During the IWC gala evening, Peter Lindbergh, Cate Blanchett, Zhou Xun and Karolina Kurkova reminisced about the shoot and spoke about their work and their partnerships with IWC Schaffhausen. “IWC really knows how to combine breathtaking aesthetics, technological expertise and the art of savoir-vivre,” enthused Zhou Xun.

Peter Lindbergh told guests how he selects the best photographs from thousands of shots, while Karolina Kurkova revealed her favourite models from the new Portofino Midsize collection and Cate Blanchett spoke about her various projects with IWC. Later in the evening, DJ Jack E provided the music for the after-show party, to which a further 300 people had been invited, and guests partied into the early hours of the morning.