IWC

This IWC Minute Repeater has been my grail watch for many decades. Today I made a short trip to Milano to catch this beauty. Some old friends of my collection which have proved to become „(almost) safe queens“ had to go for it. And this feels so good and ...  

Congratulations! That's a beautiful and rarely seen bird!

Yes, I have been hunting it for quite a time to find a piece in excellent condition for a reasonable prize. Love too look at it. 🥰 ...  

Very graceful, indeed.

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I had some sleepless nights before I was able to catch it.

Great watch. I like your collection strategy core word: “purity and simple” Don’t quit get the word: “reduction” (just teasing every wallet has its limits) I fully understand what you mean with it but since I’m an eternal optimist I would perhaps use “con... 

With "reduction" I referred to the amount of watches in my collection. It´s about 20 pieces at the moment. For many of us this is still a "small collection" but for me it´s burdening when I have too many things I don´t use adequately (a luxury problem - I... 

My dear friend, I belief we are trying to say the same thing using different words

Sublime avatar, by the way!

Big congrats to a beautiful looking and surely sounding IWC.

Due to its very special construction (the repeater function is sandwiched between the dial and the movement) there are perhaps MRs that sound louder. But for me it has one of the best dials ever. It’s so pure and powerful at the same time. Cheers Thomas ... 

Always have loved the clean look of this watch. The movement looks lovely too. Happy for you. Enjoy it! Vte

Here is a first shot o the movement: And at the moment I enjoy extremely. Feels like heaven. I know it’s just a product, a thing, not a living being. But... 😎 Best Thomas ...  

Yes, it is the Platinum version in the 2nd generation with still the historic pocket watch caliber 9520 and therefore the subdial at 9 which I prefer to the actual model. The hand wound movement runs at 18.000 bph. I love to wind it. It feels rich and dee...  

If I come to Italy often one day is sufficient for me to get a power pack of joie de vivre. Food for the soul...

Milano was easier to reach (1:05 hours by plane).

A very elegant piece despite its size that I’ve always admired. What an accomplishment to own a MR. enjoy!

Yes, indeed! Mission accomplished. 😊 I have to confess that there were hard and fundamental decisions to make before I was able to get this one of my grail watches. Among others also my Patek 5146G had to go. I simply didn’t feel the same as for the MR. A...  

I still can hardly believe my luck! Cheers

And bravo on the consolidation efforts; not an easy thing to do but seems like you took a big step here.

Yes, my first consolidation efforts have been successful! And I have to confess that it was very easy and there are no regrets until now which is a good sign. Years ago I sold a special Reverso and this still hurts a little from time to time. I also got t... 

I feel completely the same from the first moment I saw a picture of this piece of art more than 20 years ago. For me it also radiates great power and ... yes ... peace. Best Thomas ...  

I have to write down all adjectives I associate with this watch and are rushing through my head when I look at it. Cheers Thomas

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Yes, these curves are ... hot! I just wish I had your or Jocke’s talent of making pics.... ...  

Thank you, dear friend! 😊 ...  

All the best, Alex

Here we go again. 😊 ...  

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I LOVE this first generation with the old IWC logo. The curved writing fits very well to this complication and makes this MR even more ... poetic and .... romantic. It´s a pity you let it go. Even if your JLC MR in Titanium might sound better. ;-)

this grail piece. Can’t believe my luck! Best Thomas

Congratulations! I need to do more research on this beauty! I definitely would let some pieces go to fund this one.

Yes, for me it was definitely worth letting some watches go. I have read about it everything I was able to find. There isn‘t so much written about this special Portugieser. One interesting article is about the whole history of this reference (starting wit... 

Very informative and now I'm doing research on this reference as well as the ref. 5240 from 1995. They seem to share the same movement(?) differing in the crystal (sapphire vs. acrylic), case material (platinum vs. white gold) and the IWC logo (new style ... 

Yes, you are right. The first two generations (5240 with plexi glass and the old logo and 5242 with sapphire and the new logo) use the same movement. You see it immediately if you look at the dial where the subdial is positioned at 9 instead at 6 (like on... 

I haven't been able to find a platinum 5240 either, but I did find a NOS unworn WG one. And of course, the price matches the condition 🤣 I would follow in your footsteps to get the best example as possible, but it's not going to be soon 😉I'm going to have... 

Perhaps it can be faster than you would expect if you find a seller who agrees to make a trade in combined with cash as extra charge. My observation was that prices are starting to raise now. Perhaps I swirled up some dealers and they realized that there ... 

I sent a reply PM 👍

Hope this will help a little bit! Good luck!! 😊 Best Thomas

My two issues with this watch are its rather impressive case size and the small second´s position at 9 o´clock

Yes, it has a case size of 43mm. But wears very comfortably. Just arrived at home and will make some more pics during the next days. I prefer the subdial at 09:00. As far as I know the 1. (with the old IWC logo) and the 2. generation (my MR, already with ...  

I have to say, I am working extra highly motivated this morning! Cheers Thomas ...  

Yes, of course! I haven’t combined these two aspects rationally until now. I just like the position of the subdial at 9 more than at 6. And I know that it has to do with the historic movement. Best Thomas

I could stare for days at this dial.... And thanks a lot for your nice feedback! ☺️ ...  

The shape of the case & slider and the dial are so clean, that no other watch can match. Enjoy your Porttugieser, it llos superb! I bought mine for the looks of the watch, not for its sound. GEO

Where is the tourbillon hidden?? Haven´t found it so far... LOL. Yes, the dial and the case construction are to die for. The sound is very nice but could be louder. This is owed to the modular construction of the MR where the module with the repeater func... 

you again for a most superb and elegant timepiece. I am also beginning to adhere to your philosophy regarding "consolidation " I am very happy for you. best Tony

Especially since I value your taste and style very much. I think, everybody has to find his own way. For me it is definitely the right decision to consolidate. As I believe to understand you, it might also be your way. If I reflect on your collection (as ... 

“The second - perhaps more important - reason for letting watches go is that I feel better with less watches that I really love and continuously wear. “ I think there is a lot of value in reducing a collection to a few beloved pieces. The question is how ... 

quite easy. If I don’t FEEL any joy when I look at a certain watch or wear a certain watch or if I hesitate to take it out of the safe because I rather prefer another watch and all this happens over a period of at least 12 months this watch becomes a cand... 

Thank you very much for the suggestion. It’s excellent

😊

Love and joy are still going on. 😊 Best Thomas ...  

Magnificent

Yes, it is now 10 days after my purchase and I still can’t believe my luck. And although accuracy is not the first point when you look at this watch I have to say that it also holds time extremely well ( 1 to 2 sec per day). Best Thomas ...  

True grail 😀👍🏻

I could make pics on and on and on and on and... Thank you for your kind words! Thomas ...  

Many thanks in advance. Thomas

This particular model is also one of my favorites! Too damn classic and perfectly sized 👌🏼 Wear it in the best of health Laurent

😊

I never knew IWC made a minute repeater. By the way and accuracy of 1 to 2 seconds per day is excellent. My most accurate piece is Patek 5146 annual calendar Which is 1 to 2 seconds per day. Wear it in the best of health. It’s an amazing legacy piece. Tha... 

Yes, the accuracy is amazing. In the meantime it is 3 seconds .... a week!! All the best Thomas

This watch represents the good old times of IWC like no other.

And the solid quality as well as the whole appearance are breathtaking. Best Thomas