IWC’s Portuguese series has always been favored by watch enthusiasts for its classic design and excellent performance, and the latest generation of Portuguese 7-day chain (referred to as “Portuguese 7”) has become the focus of the formal watch market with its thinner, more refined design and strong movement performance. This watch not only continues IWC’s consistent high quality, but also further enhances the wearing experience and visual beauty through detail optimization. So, is this new Portuguese 7, with a public price starting from 99,000 yuan, worth buying? This article will give you a comprehensive analysis from the aspects of appearance design, movement performance, wearing experience and purchasing suggestions.
1. Appearance design: thinner, more refined, more retro
The new Portuguese 7 has been comprehensively upgraded in appearance. The overall style is more elegant and retro. The thickness has been reduced from 14.1 mm in the old model to 12.9 mm, and the wearing comfort has been significantly improved. This change is due to IWC’s thinning of the bezel and bottom cover, and the upwardly raised box-shaped mirror, which not only retains enough vertical space to accommodate the 52000 series movement, but also gives the watch an “antique watch” retro charm.
Changes in disk details:
- 3 o’clock power display disc : The red part of the old model has been cancelled, and only the 7-day numbers and grids are retained, making it appear more concise.
- Small seconds at 9 o’clock : The track pattern has been removed, leaving only the 60-second numbers and scale, making the overall look cleaner.
- Paint process upgrade : The new dial has as many as 15 layers of paint, reaching the decorative level of top watchmaking brands, showing a floating effect and excellent texture.
Whether it is a steel case or a gold case, the new Portuguese 7 shows the exquisiteness that a high-end formal watch should have, and can be called the “king of appearance”.
Analysis of advantages and disadvantages:
- Advantages : The appearance is thinner and more retro, and the plate details are exquisite, suitable for formal occasions.
- Disadvantages : Although the thickness has decreased, it is still slightly thicker than other formal watches.
2. Movement performance: stable and reliable, optimized in details
The new Portuguese 7 is equipped with the IWC 52011 automatic movement. This movement maintains the performance advantages of the old model and still has a 7-day power reserve and a vibration frequency of 28,800 times per hour. However, IWC has made many improvements in details:
- Balance cock adjustment : A new splint with a “cross-type” shape has been added to make the balance wheel escapement more visually complete and beautiful.
- Nickel-phosphorus alloy escape wheel : The hollow nickel-phosphorus alloy escape wheel processed by photolithography (LIGA) technology is not only lighter in weight, but also has excellent anti-magnetic capabilities, improving operating efficiency.
- Pellaton winding system : The iconic “woodpecker winding” continues, with ceramic winding gears and pawls ensuring durability.
In addition, the decoration of the movement is also extremely exquisite. The automatic rotor is brushed with radial patterns, and the plywood is decorated with circular Geneva stripes and fish scale patterns. The overall design is symmetrical and regular, which is very ornamental.
How is the quality?
As one of IWC’s flagship movements, the stability and decorative craftsmanship of the 52011 movement have reached the top level in the industry, fully in line with its high-end positioning.
3. Wearing experience: both comfortable and practical
The new Portuguese 7 offers two options: crocodile leather strap and steel chain to meet the needs of different occasions. The addition of the steel chain makes this watch easy to control in casual occasions, while the leather strap is more suitable for formal occasions. The folding buckle design improves the convenience of wearing and also enhances safety.
Which one is the best?
- Steel shell model : The public price is 99,800 yuan, which is more cost-effective and suitable for daily wear.
- Gold case : The public price is 195,000 yuan, with a stronger sense of luxury and suitable for business or important occasions.
4. Buying advice: Where to buy? How much? Is it worth buying?
The public price of the new Portuguese 7 is 99,800 yuan for the steel case model and 195,000 yuan for the gold case model. The price is the same as the old model, showing the sincerity of the IWC brand. For consumers with sufficient budget, this watch is undoubtedly an excellent choice for high-end formal watches. Since it is a popular model, it is recommended to purchase it through brand stores or authorized dealers as early as possible to avoid premiums in the secondary market.
Attached are purchasing suggestions:
- If you are looking for high cost performance, it is recommended to choose the steel shell model.
- If you have sufficient budget and focus on luxury, you can consider the gold case model.
- Novices need to pay special attention: there are many imitations of IWC watches, so be sure to check the anti-counterfeiting logo and limited edition number.
Summary: Which one is best? How to choose?
IWC’s new generation Portuguese 7-day chain watch has successfully attracted the attention of many watch enthusiasts with its thinner and more refined design, stable movement performance and rich configuration options. If you want to own a high-end formal watch that can not only show your taste but also adapt to a variety of occasions, then the new Portuguese 7 is definitely worth considering. However, due to its high price and strong market demand, you need to be fully prepared before purchasing.