Comments:
Curious about the Portofino vs Portugieser
If this has been asked 100s of times, excuse me for not finding the posts.
This message has been edited by India Whiskey Charlie on 2024-07-21 16:32:13
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
I’m in the Portugieser camp. Maybe it’s because
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
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.
For me, the Portofino is more refined.
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.
Best, mon ami.
Nicolas
In all fairness the Portofino you are referencing in your post is quite different from the one the OP is asking about...😉
Yes, indeed. But in my mind, the one I posted is a summit of elegance. Even if very huge.
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
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
Thanks for all the input. (OP here)
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 IWC site, from looking at posts from today up to a year ago, I saw not one Portofino.
(lots of pilots and Portugiesers and recently the new Ingenieur) ).
The Portofino might not be popular among the purists, but not seeing any pics seemed like an indication over all,
I will go to see the Portofino tourbillion today in person. Just to have a look.
While the Portugieser tourbillion is defiinitely simpler, it might be "too simple".
I have always liked "bigger the better watches". I assume that is because when I started this hobby,
43mm was the new "small". Then the pendilum has swung far in the other direction these days, so that now 39mm is the new "big".
I don't remember how many 36mm and even a couple of 34mm watches I had. They looked like postage stamps on my wrist.
In that respect the 45mm Portofino is definitely the larger of the two.
Portofino has a superior movement based on their own 7-day hand wound caliber. Portugieser has a more pedestrian movement
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.
For these two particular models, they are not the same. Portofino has 8 day power reserve, Portugieser has 84 hours PR only.
Thanks for the comment and details about the Portofino
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 that keeps the Portugieser popular and higher priced amongs IWC fans (design, size, heritage, icon).
I was able to compare the 2 tourbillions today. I was surprised that the Portugieser looked so plain, while the Portofino, with just the right sized retrograde date and power reserve were much more interesting to the eye. These two design elements were not over the top or "in the way". Very nice.
I was able to compare the 2 tourbillions today. I was surprised that the Portugieser looked so plain, while the Portofino, with just the right sized retrograde date and power reserve were much more interesting to the eye. These two design elements were not over the top or "in the way". Very nice.