IWC

First things first, apologies if this message goes to the wrong corner of the forum - haven't been too active on this forum and struggled to find a proper place for IWC related questions.

On to the complication: I am about to make my first "high end" watch purchase and am considering IWC Portofino Automatic and am looking for expert opinions (which I am sure there are several available!) in terms of 1) am I making a "smart" decision and 2) would you actually recommend some other watch, based on my description below:

Background: I own a few years old Longines DolceVita which my parents gave me. A nice dressy watch, nothing too fancy but has got the job done at work. Outside work (in settings where I would fear the watch taking a hit) I just use a retro Casio G-Shock. I know. Please bear with me on this one!

Why do I need a new watch: I would like to have a physically larger watch than the Longines and I would also like it to be an automatic watch that feels "higher end". I feel I need something more "elegant" than what I currently have.

When will I used the watch: Probably mostly at work and during weekends. Not when doing sports, not when chopping wood at my summerhouse or similar

What watches have I considered so far:

1. Rolex Submariner: I felt this would be a great cornerstone for any watch collection and can be worn in any setting. However, I feel it is perhaps a tad too mainstream to me and the price is above my budget thanks to Rolex's recurring price increases. Although it isn't a particularly large watch, it somehow felt awkward on my quite small wrist.

2. Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean: also great all-round watch, nice size, great movement (apparently) and in my view at least as good looking if not better, than the Sub. Value retention-wise maybe not as good as Rolex but if I wanted to invest, a watch would not be on my list anyways. In terms of size, the Planet Ocean wears quite high and this might be an issue as I would be wearing it most at work when I wear a suit.

3. JLC Master Control: very different style compared to the two above but, although a great classic looking watch, for some reason I'm not too keen on it. Somehow it feels like an older person's watch. Might get it one day in the future, though! Size felt very good and the finishing is simply, well, delicious.

4. IWC Portofino: Great classic lines, looks timeless (important for a man of my age, 29, and would like a watch that "looks right" on me now and in the future), very simple dial (just the way I like) and probably would fit situations where I'm in suit or in shorts & polo shirt! Also the price seems quite reasonable at 2,700GBP (duty free). Firstly I found the watch perhaps too dressy but, in all honesty, even if I bought the Planet Ocean, I would not wear it in "high risk" situations anyways. That's when my G-Shock comes in and I don't care if it should get smashed.

So, as said, currently I'm going for the Portofino - not sure whether it'll be the silver or black dial but let's see.

It would be great if you could let me know if my thinking makes sense from your point of view - have I omitted something? Should I be considering something else as well? How good value for money do you see the Portofino being?

Many thanks,

Mika

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