IWC Portugieser Automatic 40mm: A Collector's First Look at Ref. IW3583

Key Points from the Discussion

• The IWC Portugieser Automatic 40 represents a step in the right direction for IWC, offering a second attractive option in the preferred 40-41mm case diameter, joining the classic Portugieser Chronograph.
• While appreciating the combination of brushed and polished finishes on the original Portugieser case, one collector expressed a preference for a yellow gold case at 40mm, suggesting it would be a 'killer classic dress watch'.
• The original Portugiesers were thin, manual-wound watches, leading some to suggest that IWC should have fully embraced this heritage by creating a new manual-wound caliber with a closed caseback and the old logo on the dial.
• The smaller 40mm case size makes the new Portugieser Automatic very appealing, with collectors eager to see wrist shots.
• The introduction of a 40mm Portugieser Automatic addresses a long-standing desire among collectors for a smaller, more wearable version of the time-only Portugieser.
• The new 40mm Portugieser is perceived as slightly more casual due to its sub-seconds complication, contrasting with the more dressy nature of earlier, thinner Portugieser models.