IWC watch advice

[sidicks]

I've been thinking about purchasing a new 'special' watch for some time:

I've got a classic looking but cheap watch for casual use and I currently own a Breitling Montrbrillant which I wear to work and which I've had for over 15 years.

Although I do like the look of some of the latest Breitlings, they are not sufficiently nice (or different from my current watch) to justify the cost, but I have seen a few IWC watches that I like the look of, so thought I'd ask the experts on here for their thoughts.

I'm buying the watch to wear, not as an investment, but i will be easier to justify the outlay if, in the opinion of the experts, the watch is likely to maintain its value due to the underlying quality of the mechanism etc!

The watches I'm looking at are:
IWC Portugieser Chronograph:
IWC371415 (steel case, white face, gold numbers, black strap)
IWC371447 (steel case, black face, silver numbers, black strap)
IWC371446 (steel case, white face, blue numbers, blue strap)
(I also like the rose gold models, but they are much more expensive)!

Any thoughts from people in the know about these particular models?

RRP looks to be £5,900, so what 'cash' price should I be paying and where do i recommend i buy from?

Any suggestions for similar watches in size / appearance / quality / price etc?!

Cheers.

[12TS]

Standard PH answer is Dom. Looks like about £1200 off

http://www.hackettwatches.com/hw/items/PART95RSZU

Been for sale for a while, so they take a bit of shirting it would appear.

[Whitean3]

If it helps, I have a 371447 (Black/Black); it's actually on my wrist right now. I bought mine in mid-2012 and got a frankly ridiculous deal from the US for a brand new watch. Having looked at the ad for the one Dom H has for sale, I'd say that you'd be doing very well to get a new one for 4800 now; my experience when looking was that they weren't really going down in value too much (not enough to justify going 2nd hand) but after a year or two, maybe there is a decent saving to be had. The 37144x (with deployment rather than buckle strap, 37143x) was too new back in 2012.

I didn't buy it for an investment expecting it to go up in price; but likewise, did not want it to plummet in value like a stone. Quality wise, it looks nice and the finish on the case and dial is lovely. But I'm not entirely convinced about the quality of the movement. Mine went back under warranty as the rotor detatched; it feels a lot flimsier than my Rolex GMT II.

It is also strange that I hankered after the IWC for a couple of years before taking the plunge; but I just didn't warm to it when compared to the GMT that usually sits on my wrist- like I said, felt much flimsier (and noisier) where the Rolex can take all sorts of abuse. I also discovered how much I valued having a date wheel, luminous markers and the GMT 24H hand. That said, it looks so special on the wrist!

I've had the GMT in for a service and the IWC has been my daily for the last few weeks and I guess it has grown on me some more with regular usage. This would definitely be a heart rather than head purchase i think! Good luck OP, hope you can find a deal that suits

[rsbmw]

I'm not typically into gold, but the white face / gold numbers is my favourite watch - beautiful.

[sidicks]

rsbmw said:

I'm not typically into gold, but the white face / gold numbers is my favourite watch - beautiful.

I do think it's a beautiful watch, yet something is steering me towards the blue one...

[gun12b]

I like this one...........

[Zod]

The 7 Day Reserve Portugieser isn't a chronograph and is rather more expensive, but it's the one to have. I looked at both and had to go with the power reserve version (blue).

[R8Steve]

I'm considering selling my IW371202 if you decide you want to go second hand.

[mikeveal]

If you wish to retain value, buy second hand, not new.

[sidicks]

Zod said:

The 7 Day Reserve Portugieser isn't a chronograph and is rather more expensive, but it's the one to have. I looked at both and had to go with the power reserve version (blue).

The 'one to have' by virtue of its in-house movement?

[Zod]

sidicks said:

Zod said:

The 7 Day Reserve Portugieser isn't a chronograph and is rather more expensive, but it's the one to have. I looked at both and had to go with the power reserve version (blue).

The 'one to have' by virtue of its in-house movement?

I'm not that much of a watch snob. I just think it's an interesting watch.

[sidicks]

Zod said:

I'm not that much of a watch snob. I just think it's an interesting watch.

It was a question, not an accusation!

[Zod]

sidicks said:

Zod said:

I'm not that much of a watch snob. I just think it's an interesting watch.

It was a question, not an accusation!

Sorry, I just meant that I don't get hung up on the movement question.

[Gio G]

sidicks said:

rsbmw said:

I'm not typically into gold, but the white face / gold numbers is my favourite watch - beautiful.

I do think it's a beautiful watch, yet something is steering me towards the blue one...

I would go for the blue also, think it looks terrific.

G

[twoblacklines]

I was told to only buy the horizontal chrono Portugieser's if I wanted to sell on in the future. The verticals aren't as good movements apparently.

[Zod]

twoblacklines said:

I was told to only buy the horizontal chrono Portugieser's if I wanted to sell on in the future. The verticals aren't as good movements apparently.

The horizontal is the Power Reserve version. It's not a chronograph. The two dials are seconds on the left and power reserve on the right.

[graeme4130]

gun12b said:

I like this one...........

I've been wearing an Aquatimer the same as that for the last 2 and bit years, pretty much every day
Apart from the crown failing (probably me manhandling it when pulling it out), it's been very reliable and it's very comfortable

[twoblacklines]

Zod said:

The horizontal is the Power Reserve version. It's not a chronograph. The two dials are seconds on the left and power reserve on the right.

My bad. Still, different, inhouse movement though right?

[gf15]

I got my IWC371446 (steel case, white face, blue numbers, blue strap) from Dom H. a couple of years ago. Really pleased with it and feels a very special well made watch. It is quite plain and not too big so I should not tire of it.
It is my keeper.

[sidicks]

gf15 said:

I got my IWC371446 (steel case, white face, blue numbers, blue strap) from Dom H. a couple of years ago. Really pleased with it and feels a very special well made watch. It is quite plain and not too big so I should not tire of it.
It is my keeper.

That's exactly why I like it!

I'm gonna wait until bonuses are declared then hopefully buy one - might even get one of the Tudor "Rose" ladies watches for my wife if Dom will give us a good deal!