A masterpiece- under appreciated??

In 2000, IWC introduced the cal. 5000 movement- a slow beat movement (18,000bph) with an extra large spring barrel giving it a 7-day power reserve. Thru the sapphire back you can view the heart shaped cam, which we all know indicates the famous Pellaton winding system from the cal. 8541 watches. This in-house movement, which took over four years to develop, was- I believe- the first to showcase the round gold Probus medallion on the rotor.

It was a true milestone, I believe, for IWC, for it took well respected traditions and innovations from IWC's history, and improved on them. The Portugiese 2000 watch was it's introduction, and one I believe might not be so well appreciated as it should be. I love mine- others out there?

Nelson

It's a beauty to be sure. Nice photographs, Herr Herrng.

Stunning, with those high contrast sub-dials!

That watch was destined to become the ICON it has become.

The Portuguese Automatic 2000 (ref. 5000) was a limited edition. In hindsight one could wonder if it had some pilot function for the Portuguese Automatic (ref. 5001) that appeared in 2004: one year later than the Portuguese Perpetual Calendar. Two differences between the 5000 and the 5001 are very visible:
- the 5000 had an acrylic glass, where the 5001 has a sapphire glass: because of this the 5000 was not water resistant, where a 5001 has a water resistance of 3 atm.
- the 5000 had no date, where the 5001 has one. Kurt Klaus told a group of German watch lovers at the SIHH 2008 that the movement of the 5000 was ready to have the date, but that Günther Blümlein decided against is, so the date had to be taken out. The holes for it are in the movement, though. After the untimely death of Günter Blümlein the date came back in for the 5001.

The 5000 is a beautiful watch, but I can fully understand why the unlimited production of the following watch, the 5001, is as we know it.

Kind regards,
Paul

The rotor with the round gold probus medallion is so distinctive/recognisable as IWC. It is one of the best.

The eyes have it. Wonderful piece.
Regards.
Kenneth.

I particularly like the acrylic domed crystal.

Nelson

thanks for sharing nelson. it's these history soundbite posts that help me better understand and appreciate the brand and important pieces like your lovely 5000 (forever distinctive from this moment).

regards,
thang

Agreed, Nelson, it's a great watch. I particularly like the dots around the perimeter of the dial. The more common Portuguese train tracks are nice but I love the dots.

Thanks for this thread Nelson. About a year ago I was about to acquire one. I had it reserved for me, but then I got an offer on the F.A. Jones, and decided for that one.
However, this is still high on my wish list.

I love it, Nelson. Thanks for sharing.

Cheers!

A masterpiece indeed, but definitely not under-appreciated, at least not by me.
Thanks for bringing it to the limelight.

It was a ground breaking watch with a ground breaking movement. Not under appreciated in my view.

Love mine Nelson, herewith your brother..... :)

Cheers,
sc

Nelson, thanks for the great pictures and for reminding us of this special watch.
Someday I will add it to my collection.

Regards,
Kevin

Having a 5001 in my collection I can not understand why no date on its elder sibling and likewise plexi versus sapphire. Never the less it’s a great model and my current weekend watch out of choice is my 5001.

SC, no IWC/mooncake photos?

Cheers!