Why I bought a Portofino 8 Day 510103

I want to thank you all for replying to a couple of posts I made before buying my new watch. I also thought I would try to explain what made me actually buy it. The first question is why I bought an IWC. I am the only one of my friends with one, Rolex, Breitling, Panerai are all popular. I think the reason is that my Mother and Father both had IWC’s, it may have been a subliminal thing but I always looked at IWC watches in jewellers when I walked past windows. Strangely enough my father wore a Seiko for work and I do too, maybe that is why brands do achieve loyalty without us even realising it.
I half fancied a Portofino Chrono, I went to my AD and tried it on, I liked it but then I saw the 8 Day 5103 in Steel with the silver dial and gold hands, I could not take my eyes of it, it just looked so so right to me, there was something about the design that just made me think I would love to own one. I also felt that there was a sort of tradition about the fact it is a hand wound mechanical watch and that the movement is made In House. I have inherited my Dad’s Cal 89 and I do enjoy the feeling of winding something up which is a piece of timeless precision engineering. It still looks great, it still keeps fabulous time and it is almost 60 years old.
I am not the sort of guy who spends money without thinking about it but I just could not say no to myself, I think this is the first time I have ever really wanted a material item. After a couple of weeks I decided to go back and buy it, the watch had been sold!! I paid a deposit and they ordered one for me, I collected it this week.
Sometimes you just feel delighted with your purchase, this is how I feel. It is unlikely that I will become a collector but deep down I know that I will get many years of pleasure from the watch.
May I thank everyone for your help with my queries and I will keep looking at the boards to see if I can contribute in any way.

What a fantastic purchase and a well reasoned process too. I totally get it.

The 510103 is easily my favourite piece that is realistically within reach.

Such beautiful, understated elegance.

Congratulations on your purchase. May you wear it in good health for many, many years to come. :-)

Werlynne,

Congratulations on your first purchase and what a way to start an IWC collection!

Reading your article reminds me of how I came about choosing the same model for my first IWC. When I first lay eyes on the IW510103, it was almost like love at first sight! and I'm still in love with it!

Wear it in good health and I'm sure you'll be checking the time pretty often.

Congratulations Werlynne,

My 510103 is the most beautiful watch I own - I feel that more every time I look at it or wind it or listen to its beat.

So you don't think you will become a collector??
Good luck resisting the urge!

Regards

Peter

Congratulations on your new IWC!

As Peter rightfully pointed out - "good luck resisting the urge".

Cheers!

Congrats on such a wonderful purchase. Please post some pics when you get a chance.

Todd

Congratulations! Enjoy this new beauty of yours.

I enjoyed reading your story. This is as it should be - a visceral connection that makes your heart beat faster. It sounds like the start of a long relationship!

Please do post some pictures!

Great story, and your choice is a true beauty!

/Anders

Great choice, enjoy it and wear it in good health. I'm sure it will not be the last IWC that you purchase.

Regards,
Kevin

Congratulations on your new watch and thanks very much for the story behind it. Enjoy that beautiful Portofino and wear it in good health.

Kind regards,

Clemens

Congratulations, great watch! Here you see mine. My buying story is the same as yours: I saw it, tried it, went away, returned within half an hour, it was gone and had to be ordered, which lasted four days! Strange, you like the watch even more after such a course of events. Enjoy yours!

Kind regards,
Paul

Congrats! Nice watch!