Today marks a very special day for me. Today marks the day I went for one of my absolute grail watches.
It's the IWC reference 5441-07 for Pisa. It's a special watch for a lot of reasons. Let's name a few.
- I got into watches because my uncle from Switzerland was wearing a cal 854 IWC in steel. When he passed away, I was given his IWC catalogue from the late 90's. In there were the 5441 Jubilee models. I recently discovered a note hidden away in the catalogue which basically said " Food for thought: reference 5441 platinum". This made my realize, I had to go for a reference 5441 sooner or later.
Why the Pisa and not the platinum Jubilee? Well. Let me get to main reason nr 2.
- My grandfather used to live in Milan for multiple years. And Pisa is a Milan retailer. It would link the watch both to my uncle who started my passion and my grandfather who also was a strange but lovely guy. Kinda how I like to describe myself too.
Another main reason. And this is a huge one.
3. The IWC collectors family. Tonny and Mark did a fantastic job assisting me on the forum and in my collection and helped me out with this one too. Sharing the passion with IWC lovers is the best. They are true friends. And I love my friends.
4. The watch itself. The movement is amazing. Caliber 9828. Furthermore I believe that a true Portuguese, like the early ref 325, fits best in a steel case (also why I didnt went for platinum) .
Then it has the long signature and the blue Breguet numerals. And if I am not mistaken it is one of less than a handful Portuguese references with Breguet numerals. It is truly limited. Just 50 pieces and there were great affords being done to keep the profile as clean as possible. No signed crown and no number on the side of the case. Number is on the movement.
It has a slim profile, but with wrist presence like a true vintage feel Portuguese. Finally, white dials are the most versatile. Easy to create different looks with different straps without losing design essence.
I would like to thank my collector friend Mark and Tonny for helping me out and the awesome gent who was willing to sell the watch to me. It's a perfect example with a full set. And on top of that the provenance of the watch is fully trackeble. It's something truly, truly next level.
I still have to check the watch out in person and give it a quick inspection. This being said, the seller is an extremely trustworthy person. It's more of a formality. Let me be clear, I obviously won't do this with any person. But if Mark and Tonny tell you to go ahead , you know you can.
I. AM. IN. LOVE.
Not my pictures.
