For years that I am dreaming of purchasing the Portuguese Chronograph Automatic (IW371401). But Why does it have to be so expensive!
I feel like I will only be able to buy it after retirement.
Could anyone explain what makes this watches so expensive?
First, these watches are of high quality in every respect, every detail is perfect. Second, the Portuguese family is high class, there are several very special watches like the Perpetual Calendar and some Tourbillons, so you pay a premium for a Portuguese: there is not quite a strong relation with the actual cost to manufacture such a watch. Third, quite simply because they sell for the price: the Portuguese Chronograph is a huge success for a lot of years right now. In fact, this watch is relatively cheap when compared to the other models. But we might tend to forget that it still is quite an amount of money, some could live a few months of it, I could. Thank you for reminding me.
Kind regards,
Paul
Karma Peter, indeed as Sunflower articulates - quality has it's price.
But therin also might lie a reprive for your predicament. Given that they are quality watches - why not consider a used model? In general, most people that originaly buy such a watch - do so, fully apprciating the value and beauty of these watches and typically the reason why the used ones come onto the market, is becuase those owners wanted to trade-up to a newer / different IWC.
There are some excelent used IWC's out there - and whilst they too command a high price (another sign of a quality prodcut) - most certaily cheaper than a new watch.
Know also, that there is zero stigma attached to procuring a used IWC. We all do so!
Best regards
Mark
Hello Mark,
I have no problem in buying a pre-owned watch... But I hear so many stories regarding fake watches. I myself cannot tell the diference between them.
Hi Paul,
the chronograph is actually a simple ETA movement... no complex complications.
I have my doubts also that if it is handmade, or machine made.
I've checked the actual prices of the ETA movement, and simply cannot understand the prices applied to the IWC watch.
It is, as you say, premium priced.
On these troubled days we live in Portugal.. I see a slim probability for me to own it :(
I am not quite sure about the simple ETA movement. At least it is modified to move the seconds hand, and lose the hours counter, the date and the day. And I understand that some other modifications took place to improve quality. Whatever, it doesn't contradict what I mentioned about high quality and being perfect: it is a very reliable movement.
Having a product that deserves a premium, that people are very willing to pay: that is a manufacturers dream, making a lot of money. The clean design of the Portuguese Chronograph is very appealing to many, to you too. So yes, if you really want it, you either bite the bullet by paying its very well deserved price, or you buy a pre-owned one, paying a bit less. Or you must just admire it a bit longer from afar. I don't own this one, but I can tell you that about any IWC Portuguese has great personality, looking great and noticeable without shouting around. They are fantastic watches.
Kind regards,
Paul
If you don't value it, you shouldn't get one. If you might value it, I think you should try to learn why it's expensive. I would not value a computer by seeing how much the plastic and metal cost, and I would not value a watch by looking at how much a cheap basic movement costs.
You need to learn what is done to the movement, the case and the dial. The dial itself can cost 100s of Euros or more, and so can the straps. And you can find cheaper dials and cheaper straps, if that's what you want. Or cheaper watches.
What we are talking about is craft. You need to spend time studying what's done --on casemaking, dial making, movement design/finishing/assembly, etc.
Marketing lingo aside, you're paying for exclusivity with any luxury brand plain and simple. Yes, you're getting a very high quality watch, but, you're paying a huge premium just to own a watch that most people can't afford..
You are also paying for an item that isn't mass produced.. Some brands are able to mass produce at a large scale, yet, still charge a huge premium so you can have the label on your watch.. This is just the fact with luxury brands - you have to pay to play so to say..
As Michael mentioned, if you don't value it, you shouldn't get one. If you can't afford it, there is no point in putting yourself in a financial bind for a watch.
It's more like a Frustration...
I Love it, I wish to buy it... But then I Rationalize the issue... It's more than a year's savings... And in the end, it's a Watch, like many others.
Will I regret it after buying?
I guess, I can't affort it at this time of live... I'll keep dreaming till I can.
sorry for the whining.
P.S.
I've check the prices for pre-owned watches... And strangely, they charge even more than the new ones...
Karmapeter,
among the pre-owned IWC´s such as your wanted 371401, there are nearly new ones variying to more used ones. So is their prices also depending on the ´wear and tear´, but ..... finding an older IWC (for a p+rice that suits you) send it over to IWC for an overhaul and it is like new.
When you don´t overhaul it, it is still an IWC, and presuming it is working properly, it most likely outlive you and you pass it to your grandchild.
Thanks for the tip...
Any recommendations on sites where I can find (real) old IWC watches?
Karma Peter
You must also consider the value of the IWC brand. A premium brand will always be able to command prices higher than simply the value of the component parts of its product.
Unfortunately, very often the premium image of a brand is created by the people who aspire to its products but cannot afford them, think Mercedes Benz or BMW.
I hope you find a way to own one soon, perhaps a good used one.
Regards
Alan
Usually I am not a fan of the chronographs but there are exceptions... 3714 is one then. It is the real beauty. If my budget would have allowed me it would be my IWC starter. BUT, one should never give up, especially his dreams, because you never know. A few years ago I couldn't even dream about it. Just be patient. Because as was written by Michael, budget is not everything. You need also the mind come to you. And if you really want it, you shall get it. And you will not regret for sure.
Or may be you will. When you will be buying another IWC... ;o)
I am with you, Peter.
BTW, the second exception is the Top Gun Miramar :o)
The quick answer is, from the epic film Raising Arizona, "The price isn't what you say it is, it's what the market will bear."
Put simply, IWC can charge such a fee for their product as there are many customers who will gladly pay.
What are the end users getting for their money: prestige, a beautiful piece of mechanical art, craftsmanship, quality, service, and value. As you've seen in the used watch market, IWCs hold their value quite well although you'd be hard-pressed to take my Portuguese hand-wound off my wrist!
It is correct if some of you say that you pay for a premium brand, the image, a highly engineered watch, a classical timepiece that is successfully on the market with only minor changes since more than 15 years now.
But in that period of time it doubled the price and that's what I don't like about it. It wasn't a bargain when it was introduced. It is an outstanding watch and everyone who wants one proves she has good taste.
And that is where people with a regular income like you (and me) will get lost in their connection to IWC. It is a premium brand for premium incomes. I'm a proud owner of two IWCs with the ETA based movements. And that's it. There won't be another one because I just cannot afford it. I'd really love to buy some more but it gets more and more out of reach for me and you. And as quickly as you can raise your money for the desired watch, the prices go up in that period. But that's only your problem (and mine).
Tilo
Price is what you pay. Value is what you get. In our modern western society exists another term that comes to mind, while reading all the above lines and comments: surplus value.
The price of the Portuguese - or of any other high end watch for that matter - is a matter of personal principle. Do you value the watch that much in order to be deprived of something else? Are you financialy capable of purchasing the watch and not be deprived of anything else? Some people buy houses, some buy yachts, some buy cars, some buy clothes, some buy watches. And some can afford to buy all of the above and not care about the money they cost.
No watch, or any premium product, can justify it's price, on terms of craftsmanship or materials used etc. It's this added or surplus value that our society has created for them that makes them expensive. People buy a high end watch, in order to aquire status, or to feel unique, to show they are succesfull in their professional lives. Others buy it simply because they can. And a few romantics buy it because they value it for it's mechanics and classicism.
Whatever the case maybe, the real question is not whether the Portuguese is expensive or not, but what are your true values in your life? And if these include the Portuguese then the surplus value of this or any other product is irrelevant.
You have to "understand" the watch first and everything else will follow.
And, bottom line, if you cannot afford it, you shouldn't get it. If you only need to have one watch in this price range, the Portuguese Chrono isn't it (from the IWC lineup, go for a Pilot's Chronograph or an Aquatimer).
Well, not all people will get lost in their connection to IWC, IWC thrives. So, IWC will be in the realm of the more wealthy part of the population of the world. I don't see a problem here, it is quite OK that the richer people have their desires and emotions on goods that some other people cannot afford. Should those wealthier people say "I don't like it, I don't do this" just because other people cannot share that pleasure? That is even a bit hypocrite, and nonsense to me. I can afford a nice watch of IWC, but not some expensive tourbillon or Sidérale: so what? I am happy for those that buy that tourbillon if they feel passionate about it, and I am happy for me for what I can buy once in a while. And after all, I did it myself, it were my decisions to do something expensive here, and to do something not so expensive there. I don't drive a car, that helps tremendously.
Kind regards,
Paul
I agree with Paul.. Everything is relative..
$10,000 to some is nothing, while everything to someone else..
IWC creates objects of desire.. If the object was easily achievable, it wouldn't quite have the same feeling when you put it on your wrist..
Some people purchase luxury items such as an IWC, Rolex etc when they've accomplished something.. They are able to look down at their wrist and not only tell the time, but, be reminded that they have succeeded and to appreciate what they have..