First IWC purchase. Which one?

This should do the trick on the Portofino PC

Kyu, welcome to the forum from my side also.

Here my 2 cents.

Try to find a brand new Ingenieur ref. 322701.

Picture taken from this forum ("Show me your ingenieur" post - Courtesy of Dimer van Santen)

Best value for money - imo.

Thank you everyone so much for your recommendations.

I see that most people favor the pilot and the vintage ing.

I should clarify..
What initially drew me to the brand was the older AT Cousteau diver watch.
Which let me to falling in love with the Portuguese collection.
Then the Big Pilot.
After the realization that the Yacht Club and the Big Pilot are just way out of my budget, I had cut it down to the AT white face or the AT Blue Chrono.

I've had multiple chronographs before and I gota come off clean and say, I've almost never used the function.
But what draws me to the chrono is the day date and the fact that i'd want my first IWC to a bit more complicated than just the running seconds and a date.
But also liking the simplicity of the white face.....

sighh..

The best dilemma to have ever!

Kind of steering away from simplicity also because I currently have a BR03-92 which is for sale by the way. and just picked up a PAM380 and these watches are toooo simple..

WHAT DO I DO!!!

Many thanks, not entirely sure how you managed it, as I followed the kind advice offered by SHING, but ended just with the URL string, but no picture, however it was done thank you, and I hope that you can share in the beauty of new, (to me) IWC. Just need IWC Customer Service to 'come up trumps' with some extra links for the bracelet, then I can wear it!
Cheers, DAVID2001

Hi Kyuhur, hmmmm...

this falls within your budget, but unfortunately is found only in Switzerland, and isn't exactly a classic white dial, nor an AT, but to me and a few others, it really is a very special watch...

or how about this classic, though u would have to hunt for a good deal...

sorry to add to the confusion !

Shing, two great alternatives to consider!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ img]i1049.photobucket.com/albums/s400/DAVID20012/IMAG0045.jpg[/img]

Hi David,

The code you paste into your message should look as showen above (of course without the space in the first img-tag)

Great watch btw.

Hi Shing,

Would love to know more on that first one, can you elaborate?

Thanks!

...but if you dont pick this one, dont worry - it's destined for Alans collection too!

Whilst they are still avaialble - I'd suggest the vintage Inge as the engagement watch. It will never go out of fashion.

jeronimo,

more details at this link, as shing mentioned only available in switzerland:

regards,
thang

Hi Thang,

Thank you very much, its great to learn more about IWC from you guys!

Shame I'm a bit far from Switzerland right now...

Hello again, as I posted a few days ago, I recently purchased a Portofino Perpetual calendar, (circa 1998), pictured elsewhere in this string, stunning watch, and as said, awaiting IWC to find me some extra links for the bracelet, (watch this space). But can anyone say why IWC stopped making this PC with the Portofino collection, and now only make it within other models in the collections. Seems a strange decision not to try and include a Perpetual Calendar across all of the Brand. Awaiting informed replies with great interest. Cheers, David.

Good morning everyone!

Thank you so much for the suggestions.
So a quick little update.

Was at my local boutique in Beverly over the weekend, must've spent a good hour or two talking to them, trying on watches, and all the good stuff.

And aquatimer...I dont know anymore..
Don't get me wrong, it is definitely a good looking watch but I don't think the design will last very long in my opinion.
It won't be something I can see myself wearing in say 20 years from now.

So taking the advice of many of you here, I eyeballed the new mark xvii and I gotta admit..good looking watch.
Very simple, very clean.
Always loved the Big Pilot but with a fairly small wrist, big pilot will never happen.
So what better alternative than the mark to slap on my wrist.

Hope to get it soon and post some pics for you guys!!

Pilot is always a good choice. The wait makes it all the better.

Hi David,

I'm with you. And asked before on this watch, on the other hand love mine...:)

Hi Vahalis, Great looking watch. I am looking for a Portofino and love the dial on yours! Could you tell me a bit about this dial? Was it specfic to a year or model? Does it have a name or Ref. number? Thank you for your time,John

this is the reference 3541 I believe.

this is useful - and I think the workbook search works best on Internet Explorer

www.weeber.biz/IWC/Workbook/search.html

1. Portofino Perpetual Calendar Ref.3541 - Workbook 1996/97

2. Portofino Perpetual Calendar Ref.3541 - Workbook 1995/96

3. Portofino Perpetual Calendar Ref.3541 - Workbook 1994

Dear Master Shing,Thanks so much! You guys are great!! I am looking to buy my first IWC and you all are so helpful and knowladgeable you are making it a much more fun and comfortable experience. I just hate bring the wrong watch home if ya know what I mean?