The best watch for you

Dear MikaJ,

You have already chosen the best watch from an already short...er...shortlist.

"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....."

The IWC Portofino Automatic; probably black dial would add that extra dimension to keep within your criterion of 'simple dial'.....timeless.

Based on your geographical location and budget not to exceed £3000, the accessible choices that fit your criteria above are IWC, Zenith, Baume & Mercier and (perhaps) Montblanc. They all have that simple dial in at least one model in their line-up.

Local availability is also key factor for choosing a brand....for after sales service later.

It is easy to buy any watch (duty-free) but a convenient service centre and local community taste standards may play a role. As a British expat, I recall the "recognised" brands in UK were different from those popular in Singapore (my present location) or in Tokyo (my previous location).

Peer recognition is a factor or you would not be asking the question here, albeit a virtual cloud-based community

It is a hard-fought segment (sub-£3K duty free) so nearly every mainstream brand has offerings there.

I go back to the original choice that you made and were merely seeking community "support" for.....the IWC that is well-represented in UK.

Regards,

MTF

Available on the marketplace

1,375 IWC listings are live on the eBay market and 587 collector listings on the WatchProSite marketplace.

IWC PORTOFINO AUTOMATIC 34 IW357409 34mm PG Green #C1574

10,038 USD

Pre-owned - Good · JP

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IWC Portofino Automatic Diamond Black Dial Unisex Watch IW458102

6,429 USD

New with box and papers · US

IWC Portofino Automatic Silver Dial Men's Watch IW356527

6,188 USD

New with box and papers · US

IWC Portofino Automatic 150 Years IW356518 Limited Edition Men's Watch

6,120 USD

Pre-owned - Good · JP

First high end watch: IWC Portofino Automatic?

By: MikaJ : July 21st, 2013-13:38

Hi all, 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 e...

it matters most that you are happy with it. (nt)

By: Ronald Held : July 21st, 2013-14:19

Take your time

By: Spellbound : July 21st, 2013-16:39

I no longer wear the watches that I bought in my twenties as I always chose watches that lacked a timeless quality. I would say take your time. First of all, a good three hand watch is a great way to start off, and the classic design of the Portofino will...

It's your first one ...

By: nilomis : July 21st, 2013-17:41

No matter what watch you select, be sure that your tastes will change as the time passes. The Portofino is a nice watch but there are so many in this category that is hard to select a single one: Omega DeVille Coaxial Girard Perregaux 1966 Zenith Captain ...

It just so happens there's . . .

By: Dr No : July 22nd, 2013-10:06

. . . a suit able wrist shot of a DeVille on my hard drive, Nilo. Neither my wrist (easy to tell - the guy's wearing a suit!) nor my watch, but my image, taken at a local Omega boutique. The modern DeVille would be a very good call given the stated condit...

Another to consider...

By: SteveW : July 22nd, 2013-01:27

...in the style of the Portofino is one of the Junghans "Max Bill" models. They have a classic look, and are available in the same style as a simple three hand watch or as a two-register chronograph. While I haven't studied pricing, my impression is that ...

do take a look at Zenith

By: Bruno.M1 : July 22nd, 2013-05:54

if you don't like them, buy the IWC But give them a chance if you don't know them well enough They do offer quite a few nice dresswatches for a very acceptable price. Go to their website an look at the different models, you'll find all the prices per watc...

In my humble opinion ...

By: Marcus Hanke : July 22nd, 2013-05:55

... watches like the Submariner or the Planet Ocean go with suit and tie as well as flip-flops would. I know, many are telling the contrary, and many high-ranking CEOs proof their lack of taste every day, when posing for pictures with suit and a G-shock o...

Good call.

By: Spellbound : July 22nd, 2013-07:55

That steel Octo is a very good call. And water resistant to 100m. The steel bracelet is new for 2013, and agreed, no problem wearing this watch on more formal occasions. Alternatively you get the aligator strap. But I suspect this watch is a little above ...

AFAIK, not (far) above the Submariner ...

By: Marcus Hanke : July 22nd, 2013-11:26

... which was also mentioned as an option. If pre-owned is also considered, I saw several offers for unworn Octos (on leather strap, though) for the list price of the IWC Portofino. Regards, Marcus

The best watch for you

By: MTF : July 22nd, 2013-11:59

Dear MikaJ, You have already chosen the best watch from an already short...er...shortlist. :-) "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 shor...

You might like Nomos

By: expwmbat : July 22nd, 2013-12:22

They have designs similar to the IWC Portofino (which you clearly like), but with an in-house movement. And frankly, I think they do better with that design type overall than IWC does. Don't move too quickly past JLC. The Master Control is a marvelous lif...

Great advice, thanks!

By: MikaJ : July 22nd, 2013-12:26

Wow, great advice and nice suggestions, thanks everyone! I have checked out pretty much all watches mentioned here and I was impressed especially with Zenith captain central second - would be within my budget as well. A difficult decision between the silv...

After reading this, it strikes me that . . .

By: Dr No : July 23rd, 2013-11:00

. . . you might be a good candidate for a Grand Seiko. [cazalea's SBGW001 on my wrist] A true manufacture watch and movement, exquisitely finished, sensibly size and beautifully proportioned, and best of all, reasonable cost. There are several models with...

Have you considered the Chopard Manufactum?

By: Ornatus-Mundi : July 23rd, 2013-03:33

This is one of the big news from Chopard during BaselWorld 2012: The Manufactum Collection comes is a classic 38mm case and features a new automatic movement, Cal. Chopard 01.04-C, designed and built in-house, with a sole extravaganza in form of a generou...

Thanks but...

By: MikaJ : July 23rd, 2013-04:17

Indeed a beautiful watch! However, it is over my budget (guess that's due to te gold case).. Also I would prefer a slightly more modern look (it's the roman numerals again).. Thanks for the input in any case!

Decision reached!

By: MikaJ : July 23rd, 2013-11:27

So, after a fair amount of reflecting and trying out several watches, I have mad up my mind. Here's what happened: I went to Omega store, tried on DeVille with silver dial (my favourite one) and really liked it. Also tried the Aqua Terra and Aqua Terra mi...

It sounds like you found a new love...

By: Ornatus-Mundi : July 23rd, 2013-11:54

WELL DONE! I like the way you iteratively arrived at your conclusion and - this is most important - bought the watch the 'spoke' to you. All the 'expert' advice is meaningless compared to the voice of your heart! I am looking forward to your pics and init...

Well done, Mika . . .

By: Dr No : July 23rd, 2013-12:03

. . . as Magnus said, following your heart is always best . . .

Read this thread about Larry's dilemma...

By: patrick_y : July 24th, 2013-11:08

Personally, from your list, I like the Rolex Submariner and I would consider the IWC Portuguese Chrono as well. Consider adding the Montblanc to your list as well.

Fair point

By: MikaJ : July 24th, 2013-11:53

Hi Patrick, I had indeed come across Nomos (referring to the article you linked) - a colleague of mine who was looking for a Calatrava-resembling watch was telling me about it the other day. Several of the Nomos watches seem to offer good value indeed. I ...

Congrats Mika! [nt]

By: patrick_y : July 24th, 2013-15:54