Actor Michel Cymes spotted wearing a IWC

Michel Cymes, France's most recognisable television doctor and media personality, was spotted on set wearing an IWC Portofino Chronograph — a piece that sits comfortably at the intersection of classical dress watch and serious complication. The sighting aligns perfectly with Cymes's understated public persona: no flashy sports watch, just a thoroughly considered Swiss timepiece that rewards those who know what they're looking at.

The watch in question appears to be the IWC Portofino Chronograph reference IW391036, identifiable by its deep blue sunburst dial, applied white-gold-toned hour markers, and the characteristic day-date aperture positioned at 3 o'clock — a subtle but important distinguishing feature over earlier non-date Portofino chronograph variants. The 42mm stainless steel case wears a polished and brushed finish, with the distinctive Portofino pusher layout flanking the crown at 2 and 4 o'clock. The dark brown alligator leather strap with a pin buckle completes the ensemble with appropriate formality.

Powering the IW391036 is IWC's calibre 89361, an entirely in-house movement featuring a column-wheel chronograph mechanism, flyback function, and a 68-hour power reserve — specifications that place it firmly in serious complication territory. The movement was introduced as part of IWC's broader push to develop proprietary calibres across its dress line, replacing the earlier Valjoux-based movements and giving the Portofino range genuine manufacture credibility. Beating at 28,800 vph, the calibre offers smooth sweep and chronograph precision consistent with daily wear.

Among collectors, the blue-dial Portofino Chronograph occupies a sweet spot: it is formal enough for boardroom wear, technically accomplished enough to satisfy the mechanically curious, and restrained enough to avoid the status-signalling that comes with more conspicuous luxury brands. It is, in short, a watch for people who buy watches rather than buy into watches.

On the grey market, the IW391036 trades at a modest premium or discount to retail depending on condition and provenance, making it accessible relative to IWC's Pilot or Portugieser lines. For Cymes — a man whose professional life orbits precision and credibility — the Portofino Chronograph reads as an entirely authentic choice.