Portuguese Ref IW500114 .... Gentlemen, I need your opinion if I may .

I have an opportunity to purchase a new Automatic Ref IW 500114 ... a watch that I have always admired and wanted.
Unfortunately budget restrictions will require me to sell my beloved Portofino 8 Day ref IW 500103 in order to justify the new purchase.
I love the Portofino and Im very happy with it, although I might add that I wasnt too pleased to hear that the beautiful hand wound movement is now being offered in a Baume and Mercier model that I have read about recently.
However that fact aside I have always had the view that the Portuguese line is a step up over the Portofino range.
I love the beautifully sculptured, more masculine look of the case of the 5001 series and of course that very impressive looking 7 day automatic masterpiece of a engine.
The change over cost is acceptable to me .... Shall I pull the trigger ?
Thanks guys
Neil.
PS ( photos to nudge me over the edge are welcome :)

Neil, it seems you've already made your decision.
I've owned the 500107 and was happy with it until I changed it. ;-)
But for me your Portofino is a winner too.
I think personally I wouldn't do it, but that's really a matter of personal taste.
The Portuguese looks bolder and more masculine. That's correct.
But the Portofino handwound is a well balanced classic that I wouldn't give away for a Portugieser Automatic + extra cost.

Hi Neil,

Tough choice. I prefer the design and automatic movement of the Portuguese but I think your Portofino is a more unique piece. I don't have the stats to back this up but it seems to me that both in quantity and looks, the Portofino is more rare and distinctive (regardless of which watches it shares its movement with). I'm not sure a Portuguese is "a step up" from a Portofino by default but if you prefer the 5001 you should go for it. As always, visiting an AD and trying the 5001 on and comparing with your 5101 may help in deciding.

Thomas

Portuguese has always been my favorite line and a 5001-14 is in my current collection. I'll share a couple of photos here. The movement shot is actually from a 5001-07 that I previously owned.

If you do choose the 5001-14, by all means consider getting a brown Santoni strap for it. The Santoni provides a much different and to me a much warmer, more pleasing look.

Here with original strap:

and here with Santoni:

Hi Neil,
For me, one line represents IWC more then others...Portuguese...
I don't own one of the automatic variants, but, I do consider the 500114 as an option..
last year during a summer vacation in Brissago...I had a day trip to Ascona and there I took these photos...

cheers,
yitzhak

Neil, go for it!
Best,
-Christian

really great pics, yitzhak!
(made my "fever" come again :-)
Best,
-Christian

Thanks Dick,
I was actually intending to do just that, buying a Santoni for the 5001 if I bought it. I love this strap on the Portofino and your 5001 looks so cool with it as well.
Thanks Dick
Best
Neil.

Thanks Tilo,
Well, I`m almost there but your comments are my thoughts exactly as well. The Portofino is a little more unique and this is why the decision is so hard to make.
Cheers
Neil.

Wow, I didn't realize what a difference a strap could make. That brown santoni really highlights the dial markers and makes the watch look much better, IMHO.

Neil, take all the time you need to be sure and then it's only you who will have to make the decision.
I did quite some exchange in my collection over the years, but before I did I was always sure, that I really wanted it. That is a process that needs quite some time. Good luck and keep us posted. ;-)

Thanks for your input and photos yitzhak,
I tend to agree with you in that I have always thought the Portuguese line to be the most recognisable in the IWC range. Maybe thats the wrong expression but its is very "IWC" to me as well.
Decision still pending :)
Cheers
Neil.

Hi Thomas,
Thank you for your opinion.
I have seen and tried on the watch many times, Melbourne, KL, Penang, Singapore when travelling, and of course, Perth.
Im very impressed with all the ADs, always very courteous and helpful.
So I know the watch works for me in all aspects.
Cheers
Neil.

Neil,

It seems you have done everything there is to do except make a decision. :-)

One way to look at it is, the Portuguese is more casual and a bit sportier while the Portofino is dressier and more elegant. Depending on your personal style and needs, maybe one is a better fit. If you need both then there's really only one thing to do... :-)

Thomas

Hi Neil,

not an easy one. I like both watches and sooner or later ( later that is ) I will own both of them. I never thought about selling one IWC for another one, with a limited budget I learned to wait. This is part of the fun and it worked out so far. What I have observed however is that even here in the epicentre of Haute Horlogerie the Portofino is a very rarely spotted bird. On a normal Saturday morning I can count up to 20 5001s but no 5101 at all. I recall one I have seen in March. This more or less reflects the sales figures I think. The 5101 is not for everyone, if you own one already you are one of the lucky few who can wear them with pride. I would not sell this beauty...just my opinion, since you asked...

Hi Neil,

It is a tough decision to sell away something to substitute for another especially something so unique and vintage looking. Portofino is a watch that you do not see it often on one's wrist, thus, it is a lost if you were to sell it. Ironically, it is also not a watch that you will be first to buy for most people but once you starts to admire the watch detail, you will appreciate the vintage design of it.

I would rather grow my watch fund to buy the 5001 at a later stage then to sell the portofino which I am sure you will find it a miss in the later stage of your collection.

Hope to see a wrist shot of your portofino soon.

Cheers!

Hi Neil,

I'm sure you can guess my feelings on the matter - I love my Portofino 8 day, its the most beautiful thing I own.

Don't you have any other (perhaps non-IWC) watches you could sell????

Cheers

Peter

Neil,

I can understand where you're coming from on the 5001. It is one of the most iconic watch of IWC and a true beauty of aesthetic and functionality. Having said that I feel that the Portofino 5101 has a special place in my collection.

I have started my IWC with a 5101. Like you, I was eyeing on the 5001 and have decided to wait patiently and build my funds to acquire it. I just couldn't let go of my 5101.

[](s691.photobucket.com/user/sidestreaker/media/Timepiece/20140126_220925_zps9699e24b.jpg.html)

I can safely say that I'm glad I hold on to it.

Is there anyone who can tell or better show me where to find the watch number of a 5001-14?????

do you mean serial number?

BB

+1
Cheers Chris

I would not give away your (quote) beloved Portofino...It's the über-virus-problem which makes you believe, you could cure it by buying the 5001!

I think you can't. Keep it, wait for 5001 opportunities, safe money, be patient and one day you will be the proud owner of both of them!

Cheers Chris

Yes I mean the serial number, which is the same as on the guarantee card!

Look through the crystal on the back, it's on the outer ring of the movement, not too difficult to find I'd say!