The Journal
Portofino State of Mind
Portofino State of Mind
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2 min
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SINGER-SONGWRITER JACK SAVORETTI TELLS US ABOUT HIS SPIRITUAL AND CREATIVE TIES TO ONE OF ITALY’S MOST ICONIC VILLAGES. A HOMECOMING MADE ALL THE MORE INTIMATE AND ETERNAL BY IWC
“What makes Portofino unique is the people, not the postcards.” Genoese on his father’s side, as well as an adopted Londoner and a professional globetrotter, Jack Savoretti has always been an unconventional songwriter. After almost twenty years in the industry, he has experimented with several music genres, from pop to alternative rock, but has never strayed far from his Ligurian roots or Portofino, the village where he spent his childhood. Just recently he has been working on his eighth studio album, defined by Savoretti himself as “a homecoming”. “After my father died,” says Jack, “I felt the need to reconnect with him and with my roots, to understand what Italy means to me, its true essence.”
SMELLS AND SOUNDS OF PORTOFINO
What is the true essence of Portofino, beyond the stereotypes?
“I always say Portofino isn’t a town, but a neighbourhood. Not just because it's the village where I was born and grew up, where I was baptised and where I made my first friends. It's the people who make it unique. You have to make an effort to get to know them. People from Portofino have a particular energy and charisma, so it’s well worth it. The older I get and the more I travel, the more I realise this is one of the most beautiful places in the world.”
What kind of relationship do you have with the places where you spent your childhood?
“Visceral. In Portofino, everyone knows me and I know everyone. Portofino is in my familial DNA: during the Second World War, my grandmother sought refuge in the mountains around here, whilst my grandfather—who was a partisan—fought for the liberation of Liguria. Every summer, at the top of Rapallo—where we are now—, I’d wind down the window and the smell of fried food and focaccia, the clamour of people and the sound of scooters would all spill into the car. Imagine the culture shock for a boy of 6-8 years old arriving in London. It still happens today. When I come off the motorway and head towards the sea, I immediately open my window to reconnect to those feelings. If I’m far away, all I need to do is unfasten my IWC Portofino and look at the engraving on the case.”
— Jack Savoretti wearing the Portofino Chronograph IW391025
When I asked the [IWC] store manager if it's possible to engrave a dedication for my son in the case, she turns the chronograph over and shows me the engraving already there, a glimpse of Portofino with the church where I was baptized and our first apartment adjacent to the little square. I had tears in my eyes
— The UK-born singer-songwriter wearing the Portofino Chronograph 39 Edition “Laureus Sport for Good” IW391408
LOVE AFFAIR
How significant was IWC’s tribute to Portofino for you?
“Hugely significant. It all happened by chance, five years ago. I had found out I wouldn’t be able to take my son to his first day of school because of a work commitment. I had just decided to find him a special gift when I found myself in front of the IWC store in central London. I went in, saw the Portofino models and tried one on, struck more by the design than the evocative name. When I asked the store manager if it would be possible to have an inscription engraved on the case for my son, she turned the chronograph over and showed me the engraving that was already there: a glimpse of Portofino with the church where I was baptised and our first apartment, near the square. I had tears in my eyes. That’s when my love story with the Schaffhausen brand began.”
What are your most treasured memories?
“In the evenings, I used to play cops and robbers outside from eight until midnight. Every time was like the Champions League final. I remember feeling so safe running around those alleys. I was never scared.”
How should you spend your time in a timeless place like Portofino?
“Portofino should be eaten, drunk and admired. Especially from the sea. Only from the sea can you take in all its incredible colours.”
— The 18 ct 5N gold case back of the Portofino Chronograph IW391025 features an engraving of the village’s harbour
— Portofino harbour and the church where Jack Savoretti was baptised
— Jack Savoretti wearing his favourite Portofino Chronograph in front of the Church of San Martino
POETS IN SEARCH OF SINCERITY
Which musicians take you back to these places?
“Gipsy Kings and Julio Iglesias were the soundtrack of my childhood in Portofino, as well as De André, Lucio Dalla and Battisti. There was a bar which, in those days, used to be called “Lo scafandro”. It’s now called “Jolly” and is still managed by my friend, Mauro. Every year, Mauro would make me a summer compilation with all the hits at the time, plus a few Italian classics.”
If Portofino were a person, what would you both have in common?
“I would say we’re both poets in search of honesty. Sometimes with the help of a glass of wine.”
Do you think you are nonconformist because of your Mediterranean roots?
“Absolutely. Though I don’t see it as breaking the rules, but rather a survival instinct: when I’m in Italy I become very English and vice versa. It’s my own way of protecting myself from the crowd, of always being able to say I’m different.”
How do you feel when wearing your Portofino Chronograph?
“It moves me, literally. I don’t know how many times during dinner with friends I’ve taken it off my wrist to show everyone the church and my first home. It’s like my flag, a symbol of my spirit.”
— Jack Savoretti wearing the Portofino Perpetual Calendar IW344601
— The Portofino Chronograph 39 Edition “Laureus Sport for Good” IW391408 features an engraving of the winning entry from IWC’s annual drawing competition
Soak in that Portofino vibe and dive into the tunes of Jack Savoretti on Spotify.
