So what did you expect, Shakepeare? At least I’ve got some pictures of the new Vintage Portugueser, as well as some duos with my Jubilee.
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I have grown accustomed to IWC’s SIHH releases not being available until Fall. When I began to read reports of the Vintage Series arriving in Spring, my anticipation grew. Shortly thereafter, when I heard they were at a dealer in my city, my anticipation spiked. I had to see them! A few days later, as I waited for the train downtown, I was conflicted. I love Portuguesers, but short term financial needs made this a fairly inconvenient time to buy an expensive watch.
As I rode, practicality took hold, and I pretty well decided thus would be a looking but not a buying trip. That practicality held tight – until I held the watch in my hands. What can I say? I was weak.
I find this face wonderfully attractive. The great vintage look, in a watch with modern technology, is a winning combination in my book. I think the numerals are applied, but IWC does such a good job on embossed numerals, I’ve been fooled before.
As is common with shiny silver hands on a black or dark blue dial, legibility can be somewhat marginal. The watch is fairly reflective. I personally think a good Anti Reflective coating would have helped.
See the little round spots on the crystal? No, not bubbles in protective plastic. I waited for the rain to stop so I could take pictures outdoors in natural light. A breeze shook some raindrops out of the tree above me, and I didn’t notice them until I was posting this! Man, just when I remember to wipe fingerprints, set the watch to 10:10, shield out reflections…..
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The watch uses the in-house movement recently introduced in the F.A. Jones model. This is an intelligent choice, given the historical theme of the watch and series.
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When I first went to see the Vintage series and in particular this model, I liked the face but wasn’t truly sold until I turned it 90 degrees and saw that unmistakable profile. Oooh baby! I have a shot of this same profile along with my Jubilee Portuguese further down in this post, and you’ll see the striking similarity.
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Probus Scafusia indeed, and so says the crown.
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Here’s that little devil inscription.
It has been reported on this Forum that only the prototypes and early production pieces bear the inscription “Portugieser 1939”. Apparently that was quickly changed, and most of the production pieces do not carry the year, but rather just the model name.
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All pieces also carry the wording “Edition 2008” on the display back. It is hard to capture in a photo, but you can see the wording engraved circumferentially above the more easily seen “18 jewels” running to a point above the “s” on “Slow”
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Part 2 in next post
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