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My new IWC Portuguese 40 on Santoni calf strap IW3583-04

Phantomtech

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28/12/12
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You can skip my rambling by scrolling straight down to the pictures.

As soon as IWC announced this model I got excited. This was the IWC I was waiting for. I went through about 10 IWC watches in the last couple years and each one was a beauty in its own right but I just couldn’t connect with any of them.

The 5007 was gorgeous to look at but it was a bit too chunky for my wrist. The Big Pilot 5009 dial was too large. The Pilot chrono 3777 sat too tall. The Portuguese chrono 3714 I wasn’t crazy over the case shape. The 5454 was manual wind and I prefer automatic. The Mark XVIII is actually beautiful with a great size and I still have it but I don’t love the date window. In short they were all beautiful but each had some flaw that I just sold them all.

But this watch has the potential to be the perfect IWC. Perfectly sized at 40mm, case shape is same shape as the 5007 which I loved but this is significantly slimmer and sits much better on my wrist! The perfect dial with no date window and the stunningly decorated movement.

ZF did not disappoint. I ordered this the day it was realeased and I’ve been wearing it since I received it (gotta give the Royal Oak Jumbo a rest now and then). It’s been love straight throughout.

The watch feels phenomenal and is an amazing experience to wear at and look at! It’s a piece of art! It’s the perfect size, the dial is amazing in person, the perfect silvery shine that changes from white to tan to silver. The beautiful rose gold hands and numerals are typical IWC perfection. And the movement runs great and silent! The crown feels buttery smooth when winding and also feels very solid. The AR is great with no need for an additional coating.

The rep strap is garbage as usual so all you need for this watch is a new strap! I’m not a huge fan of Alligator pattern straps so I strapped on my IWC calf strap from Santoni and I think it’s a perfect fit and so comfortable! I’m actually using the deployant clasp from the old style IWC watches because my Santoni is sized only for deployant. But this watch comes with the new IWC butterfly clasp which is much more comfortable and doesn’t dig in the wrist and I’ll just have to get a properly sized strap to fit it so I’ll be able to enjoy the new style clasp.

Final word, jump on it if this watch suits your lifestyle!


On to the pics!


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trombone

Active Member
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26/3/06
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Many thanks for the short review. This was the one i waited for.
I already have the blue dial version on order and after your written words i cant wait to get it.
 

ninzeo

You're Saying I Can Sell?
1/12/20
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Nice pics and write up. I am about to order one myself. Is the height truly 13mm? This seems quite thick as compared to gen and it does not give the illusion to be that tall in your pics.

trombone did you get the blue dial in? Care to share some pics? Thanks
 

trombone

Active Member
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hi ninzeo,
here are two pictures of the blue dialed version.
the thickness is exactly 12,76mm, so it is very close to the gen.
it is absolutely my favourite watch at the moment.
the dimensions are perfect.


 

Robin.Hood

Active Member
8/11/17
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hi ninzeo,
here are two pictures of the blue dialed version.
the thickness is exactly 12,76mm, so it is very close to the gen.
it is absolutely my favourite watch at the moment.
the dimensions are perfect.


Wow. Absolutely amazing. I think I am getting it too.

May I ask the lug size?
 

trombone

Active Member
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26/3/06
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What do you mean with lug size?
The straps witdh have to be 20mm.
Or do you mean from lug to lug?
This is 49mm
 

Robin.Hood

Active Member
8/11/17
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What do you mean with lug size?
The straps witdh have to be 20mm.
Or do you mean from lug to lug?
This is 49mm
Thanks mate. Yes, I was asking the strap width(lug size).

Since I have plenty of 20mm straps so it's good to go.

Should I order gold hands or blue hands? Any opinion?
 

ninzeo

You're Saying I Can Sell?
1/12/20
39
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hi ninzeo,
here are two pictures of the blue dialed version.
the thickness is exactly 12,76mm, so it is very close to the gen.
it is absolutely my favourite watch at the moment.
the dimensions are perfect.



Thanks! Appreciate it. Looks great. I am going to order the white dial blue hands I guess
 

Hazelih

Looking Around
9/8/21
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I am very interested to buy this one. Are there any TD that use shipping via EU country. There is a very strict law in Croatia about replicas.
 

Avar28

Horology Curious
7/4/21
18
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That blue one is stunning. Trying to hold off on my next watch but Both look great!
 

Avar28

Horology Curious
7/4/21
18
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Actually, I’m looking at the white dial with blue markers. Has anyone compared the case back with a gen?
 

ShiroTenshi

Mythical Poster
7/12/11
6,782
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seems like a miyota 9015 with sec@6, how stable is the modification to bring the sec to 6 oclock? I believe this sec configuration is not intented by Citizen?
 
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trombone

Active Member
Certified
26/3/06
466
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seems like a miyota 9015 with sec@6, how stable is the modification to bring the sec to 6 oclock? I believe this sec configuration is not intented by Citizen?

I have a blue and white dialed 40mm portuguese and i must say, that the seconds at 6 are a little shaky and move not very smooth. Power reserve is not to good too.
 
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ninzeo

You're Saying I Can Sell?
1/12/20
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I have a blue and white dialed 40mm portuguese and i must say, that the seconds at 6 are a little shaky and move not very smooth. Power reserve is not to good too.

Can you show a little vid demonstrating that?

Also some pics of your watches would be much appreciated. How do you think the blue hands and numerals are?
 

trombone

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Will post Pictures later. White dial and blue hands and indexes are spot on. Very good quality.
 
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ninzeo

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1/12/20
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Does anyone have the version with blue hands and numerals? Would love to get one, but a bit unsure about the finish of the blued hands when they’re painted instead of heat blued