In recent years, the replica watch market has continued to gain popularity, especially the IWC Portuguese Series Seven-Day Chain (referred to as “Portugal Seven”), which has become the favorite of many watch lovers due to its classic design and elegant temperament. As the two giants in the field of replicas, APS Factory and ZF Factory have launched their own versions of Portuguese Seven watches. Today we will compare these two watches in depth from multiple dimensions such as appearance, movement, and wearing experience to see which one is more worth buying.
Appearance design: optimized details, the new model is more modern
APS factory’s new Puqi has undergone many optimizations in appearance. First of all, the dial design adopts a new “track pattern” element. The small dial on the left is threaded, and the right side has a grid texture, making the overall visual effect more refined. At the same time, the red decoration on the power reserve pointer has been removed, making it look more simple. In contrast, ZF factory’s old Portuguese 7 retains the classic red embellishment, and the overall style is more traditional and attractive.
As for the glass mirror, the APS factory uses pot-lid sapphire glass, and the raised design makes the dial more three-dimensional, while the ZF factory continues the arc-shaped design, which looks more low-key. In addition, the thickness of the new model from the APS factory has been reduced by about 1 mm, making it thinner and more comfortable to wear.
Movement performance: upgrade and stability coexist
Both watches are based on the Dandong 7750 movement, but the new model from the APS factory is upgraded to the 52011 movement, while the old model from the ZF factory is equipped with the 51011 movement. Although there is not much difference in basic performance between the two, the balance wheel design of the new movement has been changed to resemble a butterfly shape, and the splint polishing and ruby exposure treatment are more refined, improving the overall texture.
However, it should be noted that the original Portuguese 7 has a 7-day power reserve, while these two replicas can only provide about 3 days of power reserve. For daily wear, this gap is not obvious, but for watch friends who pursue the ultimate replica experience, it may be a bit regrettable.
Wearing experience: both comfort and practicality
In terms of straps, both watches are equipped with cowhide straps with crocodile leather textures on the surface, which are thick and durable to the touch. However, the new watch strap from the APS factory is slightly harder and requires a certain amount of time to break in to achieve optimal comfort. If you pursue a higher wearing experience, you can upgrade to an alligator leather strap later, and the softness and fit will be significantly improved.
In terms of buckle design, the two watches remain consistent, both are standard folding buckles, which are easy to use and stable. There is no obvious difference in the handle part, ensuring consistency of operation.
Summary: Which one is more worth buying?
- New APS Factory Puqi: Suitable for users who pursue thin and light design, modern style and movement upgrade. Its pot-shaped glass and racetrack dial design are more innovative and suitable for watch enthusiasts who like to try new things.
- Old model ZF factory V5 Portuguese seven: Suitable for those who love classic design, red accents and eye-catching style. Its arc-shaped glass and small grid texture make it more elegant and suitable for formal occasions.
No matter which one you choose, IWC Portugieser VII is a formal watch with both good looks and performance. I hope this comparison review can help you make a more informed choice!