A Mechanical IWC Watch For $5,800?  And For A Worthy Cause

For many watch enthusiasts, IWC Schaffhausen has long been synonymous with precision engineering, elegant design, and more – but typically with prices that often require a five-figure or more financial commitment. So, when the brand releases a mechanical timepiece priced at $5,800 — and links it to a cause like Laureus Sport for Good — it’s worth a closer look.  Meet the Portofino Automatic Pointer Date Laureus (Ref. IW359202), created in support of the global foundation that uses sport to empower disadvantaged youth.

With a refined 39mm stainless steel case, an in-house automatic movement, and a vibrant Laureus blue dial, this piece quietly redefines what attainable luxury can look like — especially from a brand like IWC. The understated design includes an analogue pointer-date display at 6 o’clock, where a small hand jumps precisely to the new date each midnight — a graceful complication more typically found on watches costing thousands more. The automatic Calibre 35160 movement inside offers a 50-hour power reserve, and the rhodium-plated hands and indices add visual clarity and polish to the sunray finished dial.

But what makes this watch truly special isn’t just its restrained aesthetics or mechanical value — it’s the story behind it. This year’s edition supports Figure Skating in Harlem, an organization that uniquely combines academics, leadership development, and the athletic discipline of figure skating for young girls in New York City. For over 25 years, FSH has helped girls of color build confidence, communication skills, and futures filled with possibility — far beyond the rink.

With Laureus Sport for Good now celebrating its 25th anniversary, and IWC marking 20 years as a Global Partner, this watch becomes more than a timepiece; it’s a statement of values. It also subtly nods to the late Nelson Mandela’s belief — shared at the first Laureus World Sports Awards — that “sport has the power to change the world.”

Even the caseback engraving reflects this purpose: the Laureus logo alongside a tribute to the foundation’s milestone anniversary. The watch is fitted with a blue calfskin strap and secured by a butterfly folding clasp.