IWC Portuguese Chronograph

[aaznx]

wow.. took my breath away.. what a beautiful time piece!! and the music just fits perfectly

[handelsjan]

@aaznx Thanks! I'm amazed that the video still has a steady amount of 50-60 views each day. It makes me wish I had shot it in HD :-)

[aaznx]

@handelsjan amazing piano, I cant find it anywhere on the internet.

[jcotteri]

stunning

[iwc62]

this is still my favorite watch!

[MrHadinosratlu]

The watch is even better than the music!/Hadi Nosratlu

[TheBubu1997]

the music is beautiful

[barcelonaguille]

thanks handelsjan

[barcelonaguille]

this song is?

[handelsjan]

It's "Terra's Theme" from an acoustical rendition of the soundtrack to Final Fantasy VI (was named Final Fantasy III in US and Europe)

[samgobigs]

I got this watch a few months ago, and it is absolutely stunning! Very few watches can match it's simplicity and elegance. It is a very distinct watch they will stay in style for many years to come. Although expensive, it is worth it! I don't wear it every day, but when I do, the movement is truly exceptional

P.S. I would choose this over Rolex or Omega any day. After trying this one on at a local retailer, it made me Omega look so bland. They are in 2 completely different classes.

[nir993]

I'm also interested in the Omega De Ville Chronograph Co-Axial... "Although based on the Omega caliber 2500, an ETA 2892 derivative, the watch would, remarkably, be supplied with a co-axial escapement and free sprung balance." citated from timezone d ot com

[nir993]

Did some more research on horomundi, watchesforum and breitlingsource. (I wasn't able to post this post with the complete url's. Just google on those forums for IWC Portugese or Caliber 79350)

I'm still not convinced, should I rather go for a Rolex Submariner Date if I want a "exclusive" movement and still be in my 5k budget? It will be my first automatic watch that I will buy and I keep bumping up on the Valjoux movement... Can someone convince me to get the IWC or sth else like Rolex?

[handelsjan]

I considered the Submariner and the DeVille Co-Axial Chronograph as well. I believe the movements are extremely similar in performance, so for me it was a decision made on how the watches looked. I wanted a watch with a discrete elegance to it, yet it still would have "edge".

The Submariner is a bit too rugged in style for me and a Rolex can by some be seen as "bling", and the Omega was a bit boring. The Port Chrono is just perfect.

$5000 for an IWC is cheap! The Swedish list price is $9500!

[nir993]

hmm I think that you are talking about the IWC Portuguese Automatic... that one costs like 9k. That model has indeed a movement from IWC itself.

I'm going to get the Submariner because of the steel bracelet, more practical. When i'm older (23 now) I'm going to get a real IWC with IWC movement.

[handelsjan]

Nope. I'm talking about the IWC Portuguese Chronograph, (model 3714). It has a movement manufactured by ETA Valjoux, shipped to Schaffhausen, Switzerland, where they replace about 50% or so of the movement with inhouse customization. I consider it an IWC movement, as it is so fundamentally different from the original movement (like the timer having snap-back second hand). It also has a deviation per 24 hours significantly smaller than the original. - And yes, it's $9000 in Sweden. (with 25% tax)

[5kmcon1litro]

buy a 5001 moviment. so you have best design and best movement. ;)

[handelsjan]

I've been considering it... Despite the the steel version with black dial having a USD $14320 list price in Sweden (SEK 107000). The 5 day power reserve is remarkable, and the transparent back case is kind of cool :-)

However, from a design perspective, I prefer the 3714. The outwardly curved case and the strict forms that make the chronograph dials contrast the otherwise discretely designed face makes it a complete win for me.

[5kmcon1litro]

@handelsjan so you decide. take what you prefer and forget movement. at the end you have to buy wath give you more emotion. and don't think that the crono is not god, iwc do a lot of change to this movements.

[nir993]

beutifull watch!! I wanted this watch desperatly until I

found out that there is a Valjoux movement in the watch?!

Whats happening to the "Swiss" watchmarket?

Almost every watch has this made in Japan and only quality control in swiss movement so that they can put made in Swiss on their watches!!

Am I really forced to buy a Rolex Submariner or a Cartier for a none Valjoux or ETA movement?

Since when did IWC stat using Valjoux/ETA movements? Weren't they used to make their own movements?

[tchaze]

its a highly modified ETA to an extent it could be considered an IWC movement

[attheodo]

Got mine on Friday! It's really an amazing piece of engineering..! I LOVE it :D

[handelsjan]

I still love mine. But, like sipnordic says, when cash is tight you start realizing what you're walking around with on your arm. But no, I won't sell it until it's absolutely necessary.

I've also noticed that I'm wearing it more seldom when cash is tight, I guess I'm more scared of it being stolen. I spent last week in Rome, and knowing the skill of Roman pickpockets I didn't even bring it. But I do love it. When I'm feeling stressed, I listen to the 4 Hz tick. It's very soothing.

[sipnordic]

Had one once, lost a lot of money and its like wearing a couple of month salary - so off it went - into the distance - and I regret the day I let it go. IWC are the best - understated, stunning. I am saving for a lesser one - the Spitfire XV - worn by Tom Cruise in Vanilla Sky. Simple - but £2500.

[fyjian]

Absolutely stunning. Also extremely expensive, maybe someday...

[qiuqiulu]

Unlike bags or clothes, you can generally spot a fake luxury watch miles away perhaps with the exception of Omega/Rolex. But with IWC, VC, Patek, there is no way they can fake it especially if it's got a clear back.

[handelsjan]

Actually, I've seen a number of VC and Patek replicas with clear backs that are almost indistinguishable to the originals. However, I noticed on many of them that the movement seen through the glass was standing still, apart from a single cog. The jewels seen were most likely red glass or plastic and the fake movement was probably quickly soldered in place. More often than not, they miss details on the watch face, like the shape of the numbers or the minute marks.

[qiuqiulu]

exactly, that's the difference, it's all about the details! especially if you hold a counterfiet in your hand, you can just tell right away, they are so much lighter. also the fake movements have a LOT less moving parts.

[handelsjan]

Hehe, I opened a fake rolex I had bought in Beijing (I call it my 'lolex'). After I removed the glass bottom and the rotor (that wasn't connected to anything except for an axle), I found a layer of circular lead weights inbetween the fake movement and the quartz movement that ran the thing. That impressed me. It took me the whole afternoon of that day :-)

Weight can be deceiving though. My genuine IWC portuguese (the one in the clip) weighs a mere 80g. It was one of the reasons I chose it.

[radicaledward40]

so beautiful....really like the esoteric look of the black on black portugese with the silver markers and hands.

[tom10167]

sorry if you think the Chinese can't fake the words "swiss made" on a watch are sorely mistaken.

If you're asking what's different it's going to be tough to tell. I'd suggest never buying online until you're more comfortable.

[handelsjan]

I concur. If one is unsure of the authenticity of a watch, it is appropriate to ask for an official authentication by a respectable establishment that you can verify (if the watch is not genuine, the seller will in all likelihood not agree to do so). The best way to make sure is however to buy it from an authorized dealer or upscale auction house, though there are several high quality gray-market websites out there I would personally recommend.

[treataza]

How do you tell a GENUINE IWC watch from a REPLICA?

[handelsjan]

No idea. By looking at the stamped certificate and having the case number authenticated by IWC? There are a lot of good replicas out there, but I have yet to see an IWC replica in real life.

[CreativeCritisizm]

I'm sure the chinese have no problem replicating anything since they are given the golden opportunity to make everything, but just check the bottom where it reads "swiss made" if its not there, its a fake, I guess it makes them feel guilty to put "Swiss" instead "Chinese made". HaHa

[vollhorst17]

if you have the watch in your hands Here are some tips:

-Chheck the chrono: If the second is moving smooth and without jumping or choppy (like the quartz (Tic,Tic,Tic))

-Take the watch to your ear, if its ticking like 2 to 5 times a sec, you're sure it is a mechanical mouvement.The ticking is Not like the quartz(Tick,Tick,Tick) (It's Tick,Tack,Tick,Tack)

-Swing the watch in counter- or Clockwise, in bad replicas the hands swing with,in real watches they don't (surprise!).

[handelsjan]

Fortunately my watch (in the vid) is genuine.

Here's another tip though; when you reset the chronograph, the dials snap to 0 very, very fast. you blink, you missed it. Gave me quite a shock the first time around, normally watches based on the generic version of the movement let the hands float more slowly to their origin.

[robbogz]

Final Fantasy VI...Terra's Theme...I can't think of a more appropriate piece for such a beautiful watch. :)

[CreativeCritisizm]

trying to copy "Days of Our Lives"

[handelsjan]

Sorry to disappoint. I have never seen "Days of our lives". If it is similar, it was completely unintentional.

[CreativeCritisizm]

look for "Days of Our Lives" theme song, the beginning section is completely identicle.

[handelsjan]

I agree. I tried to find an elegant piano piece, and Terra's theme did the trick quite nicely :-)