Which Perpetual Calendar?

Valuable IWC lovers,

I currently own a Portuguese Automatic (IW500109) and would love to go for a complication watch next.

I have a deep admiration for IWC, favor the Portuguese Perpetual Calendar but cant decide on which one is more attuned to me:

5032 or 5023? Or is it a really tough case to decide?

One hand, I find 5023 more elegant and classy; one the other hand, 5032 seems to be a perfect Perpetual Calendar function with hemisphere feature and count down to next full moon! That looks quite more sophisticated while the former (5023) looks little bit less messed up and has easily read dial.

By the way, the blue dial on 5032 is just a killer!

I need your ideas on the issue and which one would you pick up anyway?

Which one do you think better for a watch collector?

Fondly,

Emir

Emir,
Great question and i had the same considerations when i purchased my 5032. When i went through the decision process back in December, it came down to a few key things for me.

1. Moonphase with time indication- the 5032 gives you a better point of reference for how many days until a full moon and how many days along are you on the waxing and waning across the 29.5 day spectrum.
2. The face/band combo- the Blue face to me was to die for, and blended so well with the white gold, felt it just had a bit more elegance and timelessness for me personally.

Hope that helps, feel free to shoot me an email and happy to talk live!
thx
paul

oops, here is my email
pboroditsch@gmail.com

Time to renew the "debate" between Mark and Giovanni! :-)

Paul, thank you for your helpful thoughts.

I will be in touch.

David, what would you vote for?

OK, going a bit further for the sake of the argument:

1) The existence of 5023 platinum version makes it more prestigious?

2) Railway styled chapter ring vs pointy?

3) The white dial day phase on 5032 messes the look?

4) Beyond functionality, the moon phase on 5023 looks low-end?

Emir,

I made my decision last December purchasing the 5032 Blue dial and never looked back. IMHO it is the nicest PPC with a perfectly balanced dial and a color unmatched. Good Luck with your decision but I have made my decision.

[](s1127.photobucket.com/user/Mooseman2/media/KJDPPC_zps9a2b2355.jpg.html)

Kevin

Emir,
Look forward to hearing from you. Might have something interesting to discuss.

take care
Paul

I am an admirer of the single moon phase and a sucker for anything with an Ardoise dial -

Try and find somewhere with both options, try them on and walk out with the one that you like the best - don't listen to what anyone here has to say, as we all have our own motivation for buying watches :)

Cheers,

Ben

I like the single moon phase indicator with the stars. A very nice detail.

Either way though, you'll have a winner!

[](s1338.photobucket.com/user/fleekk/media/image_zps4c5eb65e.jpg.html)

IMHO, I feel that both are totally different in terms of look and presentation of the dial.

The 5023 has a Classic & Vintage look due to the railway chaptered ring and of course the Ardoise colored. The sub-dial is easy on the eye with little distraction and if you prefer a subtle and casual look, this is the one to go for.

The 5032 is build to attract attention with the distinctive white ring, seconds sub-dial and of course the undisputable one of the nicest blue dial I ever see. It bring an elegant and sophisticated touch to the watch and it makes all the numerals and hands stand out.

It really depends on what you have collected so far but it will be great if you can have both eventually. Both have it merits and your personality will help you to make the right decision.

It is not what a watch collector should choose but more to what you will want to put it on your wrist. As for me, I admire the watch I wear more than anyone else and not for the sake of what others think or say......

I hope you have make the right decision and look forward to see the wrist shot of your new incoming PPC.

Cheers!

I would have to agree with the "colour unmatched" comment. If it looks this good in the photo's, it must be unreal on your wrist.

And, I don't really think you can go wrong with whichever one you choose. They are all amazing.

@Ben, BIW, KevinJ: Thank you for your ideas and sharing! Beautiful time machines! Either way, I am glad to be in IWC circle for I feel there are not many like minded people outside!

@Fleekk: I really appreciate your comments, kind of ideas that help me get through my decision!

By the way, I believe most of you already read the article about it on Hodinkee:

September 19th, 2012
www.hodinkee.com/blog/just-because-the-iwc-portuguese-perpetual-calendar-in-white-gold-with-a-blue-dial

Below information from B.Clymer is interesting:

"Also, while this watch in white gold with a blue dial is not officially a limited edition, I was told that due to restrictions on the material used to produce this quality of blue for the dial, it is next to impossible to come by and produced in limited quantities. "

I guess you know what I prefer:

The blue dial is a stunner by the way! I like the Ardoise single moon phase Perpetual too but it can be hard to read the time.

Conclusion: you can't go wrong with any of the Portuguese Perpetuals!

Kind regards,

Clemens

Is there a special lens you use to get such clear and detailed close up photos?

These pictures are made with my Canon 40D and the Canon EF-S 60 mm macro lens.

Kind regards,

Clemens