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Curious about the Portofino vs Portugieser

 

If this has been asked 100s of times, excuse me for not finding the posts.


I am looking at 2 IWCs that have the same function, a tourbillon. 
One is a Portugieser (IW545801) and the other a Portofino (IW516501). 

I have been looking online to find answers why Portugieser models are (usually) or inevitably always priced higher?
And why Portugieser models are overwhelmingly much more popular?

There might not be definitive answers, but I am curious about what the IWC experts here have to say. 

Some possible reasons I thought of are: in-house movement vs not?? (In this case, both have IWC movements and the Portofino has double parts and jewels)
Manual vs hand wound?? (Both of them are hand wound). 
Better finishing of case and movement of Portugieser??
Portofino is rather big at 45mm vs 42.mm??
Portugieser is more IWC iconic with long history and has a more appealing design??
 Portofino is more of an entry-level IWC (so lacks some things that the Portugieser doesn't have).
Etc. Etc.

Thanks for any input. 

Ron   







This message has been edited by India Whiskey Charlie on 2024-07-21 16:32:13

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15 Comments view entire thread 

I’m in the Portugieser camp. Maybe it’s because

 
By: Champthekid : July 21st, 2024-15:28
of the longer history of the Portugieser versus the Portofino. I like the size difference too (smaller)

Clearly the Portofino is a better value with additional PR and a retrograde date

 
By: India Whiskey Charlie : July 21st, 2024-15:36
But, it's also huge compared to the Portugieser. Everyone has their priorities but personally I would not trade the wearability and the simplicity of the Portugieser for the added features of the Portofino. ...  

The date implementation…

 
By: mdg : July 21st, 2024-19:16
…is a disaster.

For me, the Portofino is more refined.

 
By: amanico : July 21st, 2024-15:44
Huge but more refined. Now, if the Portuguese is more sought after, it is a matter of trend. It is more famous, people prefer which is more famous. Example, Rolex, Patek, AP... Rather than JLC, Breguet and so on. Follow your heart, not other' opinion. Bes...  

In all fairness the Portofino you are referencing in your post is quite different from the one the OP is asking about...😉

 
By: India Whiskey Charlie : July 21st, 2024-15:54

Yes, indeed. But in my mind, the one I posted is a summit of elegance. Even if very huge.

 
By: amanico : July 21st, 2024-16:55

No argument there…😉

 
By: India Whiskey Charlie : July 21st, 2024-17:51

Portofino gets you more for your money here. Which one will keep its value better with time? IWC watches depreciate quite a lot, the Portugieser might remain more popular. Go with the one you like best

 
By: hora12reborn : July 21st, 2024-16:48
and wears best on your wrist.

I am far from being an IWC expert but I prefer the look and design of the Portugieser personally

 
By: Chronometer (aka yacomino) : July 21st, 2024-19:30

Thanks for all the input. (OP here)

 
By: Moka-Tiger (Ron) : July 22nd, 2024-01:40
It's good to hear various opinions. As expected, each of us has our own style and preferences,. I haven't decided on either one, and haven't deicided if I will even get a tourbillion. I was more curious as to the perception of the 2 watches. Here, on the ... 

Portofino has a superior movement based on their own 7-day hand wound caliber. Portugieser has a more pedestrian movement

 
By: loujo : July 22nd, 2024-02:09
One is based on 5xxx series movement (Portofino) and the other 8xxx series. I definitely would choose Portofino over Portugieser. There is no way Portugieser is finished better.

Didn't the Portuguese house the same movement, at a moment?

 
By: amanico : July 22nd, 2024-06:06

For these two particular models, they are not the same. Portofino has 8 day power reserve, Portugieser has 84 hours PR only.

 
By: loujo : July 22nd, 2024-16:43

Yes, for these two. Right you are.

 
By: amanico : July 22nd, 2024-20:44

Thanks for the comment and details about the Portofino

 
By: Moka-Tiger (Ron) : July 22nd, 2024-14:20
I also agree that the movement in the Portofino is a much better one based on the number of parts and jewels (315 parts/38 jewels, although 40 is written on the watchback) vs 159/20 in the Portugieser. That said, I guess it's a matter of taste/preferene t...