JCF81
112
Dial design of IWC Portuguese Chrono
This watch is held as a classic by many in the IWC line up. It's a watch I admire very much but never really got to acquiring yet. Before the prevalence of in-house movements, my excuse was the 7750 movement. Then most recently they went "in-house" and now the cost of entry has gone beyond reasonable for me (at least in SRP terms). Still, once in a while I go to the website and admire it.
Today (yes after all those years looking at this reference) I spotted something peculiar. It has to do with the symmetry of the markers in the dial.
Maybe this has been discussed before?
I don't quite understand why the position of 4 and 8 were changed eventually. 4 sits closer to 5 than to 3. Same with 8 to 7 than 9.
As early as 3714-17, the ones with full blue markers (applied?) have this asymmetry, while those with partial blue markers (painted?) have maintained symmetry.
The earlier chrono/ rattrapante models were able to maintain proper symmetry. The 4/8 position seem to have changed around 2003/2004 and have carried on to this date.
Asymmetrical example:
Symmetrical example:
I wasn't bothered by the cut numbers at 12 and 6, but I wish IWC would correct this 4 and 8 positioning.
Surely, if the Portuguese Automatic 40 has gotten it right despite the subdial at 6, the Portuguese Chrono deserves the same.
Dial design of IWC Portuguese Chrono
This watch is held as a classic by many in the IWC line up. It's a watch I admire very much but never really got to acquiring yet. Before the prevalence of in-house movements, my excuse was the 7750 movement. Then most recently they went "in-house" and no...
Big ask here, but could you photoshop the 8 and 4 into slightly higher places so we can see the difference?
I wonder if it's like Michelangelo's David's hands being out of proportion for visual effect?
The 3rd photo in my post shows exactly this.
And compare it to the first photo. It’s a small detail, but watches are all about details right?
I didnt catch it for so many years.
And yesterday it just popped. Unfortunately IWC has also brought this on its individualised Portugiesers. www.watchprosite.com
Since you posted this I can’t unsee it at it now bothers me. :-)
You are right, that the 40 mm automatic looks a lot more in harmony Still don’t know why they changed it. Enjoy!