• Insider
    1 Apr 2014, 8:10 a.m.

    After experimenting with ownership of several watch models over the years, I have noticed that I tend to like watches with a moonphase function, especially ones with longer power reserve. This one can well be my ultimate watch because it has everything. And I was willing to sacrifice three smaller watches and add some money to get it last year.

    It is none other but the IWC Portuguese Perpetual Calendar Ref. 5032 :D
    ruckdee.chotjinda.com/watches/portpet0001.jpg

    The 7-day power reserve is more than enough for my needs.
    ruckdee.chotjinda.com/watches/portpet0004.jpg

    It happens to be my first gold watch also because this model is not available in steel.
    ruckdee.chotjinda.com/watches/portpet0006.jpg

    I would not have been able to wear this watch if the lugs didn't curve down this way.
    ruckdee.chotjinda.com/watches/portpet0007.jpg

    Unlike on my previous Portuguese, the newer deployant buckle seems to be fashioned this way now with IWC Probus Scafusia logo.
    ruckdee.chotjinda.com/watches/portpet0008.jpg

    These symbols are seen inside of the buckle. I have a general idea that they are for gold. It's new to me.
    ruckdee.chotjinda.com/watches/portpet0009.jpg

    Not one but two moons for the northern and southern hemispheres. It is interesting to observe how the gold disc is stationary and only the top black plate rotates.
    ruckdee.chotjinda.com/watches/portpet0011.jpg

    The perpetual calendar function was never my goal. But IWC does not offer a Portuguese with a simple moonphase so I had no choice.
    ruckdee.chotjinda.com/watches/portpet0013.jpg

    I will be sure to keep this century slide for the great-grandchildren of my niece or nephews as I don't plan on having one myself.
    ruckdee.chotjinda.com/watches/portpet0015.jpg

    The watch is massive at 44.2 mm. on my 6.5" wrist. This is the largest of my non-sports watch. Too big for me, yes, but by default not by choice.
    ruckdee.chotjinda.com/watches/portpet0018.jpg

    Not sure if IWC changed the length of standard strap. The one I had on my Portuguese Automatic seemed to be longer. I had to use the first hole on that one whereas it is the third for this.
    ruckdee.chotjinda.com/watches/portpet0019.jpg

    This man was washing dog cages only a couple of hours earlier. Now he is seen sporting a sophisticated watch and a proper shirt while waiting for his customer at an upscale hotel.
    ruckdee.chotjinda.com/watches/portpet0023.jpg

    The watch has been with me on a few trips.
    ruckdee.chotjinda.com/watches/portpet0027.jpg

    Over the past six months, it has been to the north and the south of Thailand, as well as Hong Kong and Macau.
    ruckdee.chotjinda.com/watches/portpet0043.jpg

    Most of the time it faces the dreadful reality of Bangkok though.
    ruckdee.chotjinda.com/watches/portpet0045.jpg

    But surely there will be opportunities for the watch to travel more with me in the years to come.
    ruckdee.chotjinda.com/watches/portpet0061.jpg

    Enough has been written elsewhere about this watch where technical aspects are concerned. Let me just add that I chose it almost entirely for the personality match. I am the work from home type and wears polo t-shirt and jeans six days a week. Other choices I considered did not provide as good a match to this circumstance of mine. For example, the JLC Master Ultra Thin Perpetual is more proper and dressier and would not see much wrist time with me. The same is true for the Lange 1 Moonphase and in that case I would have had to sell more watches than three pay for it. That was not something I was willing to do. It was a tough decision all right. But this Portuguese was my choice in the end and I am very happy with how I decided.

    Thanks for looking. It is only once in a decade that I have something this special to share. And here's the watch with the only other IWC in my possession right now...

    ruckdee.chotjinda.com/watches/ingport02.jpg

    Have a nice day :)

    Ruckdee

  • Master
    1 Apr 2014, 9:45 a.m.

    Awesome watch and there are some great photos there. Congrats. Love that second photo in particular.

    Cheers,

    Jarrod

  • Master
    1 Apr 2014, 11:15 a.m.

    Beautiful photos of beautiful watch. Truly breathtaking. Big congratulations !!

  • Master
    1 Apr 2014, 1:03 p.m.

    Spectacular addition to an already spectacular collection. Well done sir!

  • Connoisseur
    1 Apr 2014, 3:20 p.m.

    Congratulations. You made a great choice. It is a beautiful watch and a masterpiece of watchmaking.

  • Master
    1 Apr 2014, 7:35 p.m.

    Wow. Many congratulations. I share your sentiments on the fine attributes and romance of the Portuguese Perpetual.

    Your photos are simply incredible. The close ups of the case and dial are amazing. Thanks for sharing... Please post more, often.

  • Master
    1 Apr 2014, 8:04 p.m.

    Beautiful pictures! Thank you for sharing this special moments!
    Best
    -c

  • Master
    1 Apr 2014, 8:13 p.m.

    superb photos of a stunning watch. many thanks for sharing your passion.

    congratulations on your perpetual acquisition, may you wear it in long good health!

    regards,
    thang

    p.s. not too big on your wrists at all...

  • 1 Apr 2014, 9:02 p.m.

    Nice story. And as others mentioned already, I like this beautiful pictures as well. Who knows, maybe we can arrange a GTG in BKK in the future? I will be back in Thailand this year in November.

    Cheers Chris

  • Connoisseur
    2 Apr 2014, 8:22 a.m.

    Ultimate watch for a gentleman! I hope to add IW502307 in a few months.

    Congratulations!

  • Insider
    2 Apr 2014, 8:26 a.m.

    WAIKATO7: You must be the first to have seen this post. Thank you, Jarrod. Surely I will be wearing this watch on some days while visiting the southern island of your beautiful country later this year. I can picture myself taking silly wristshots here and there already.

    MARIAN42: I must say I have a good macro lens to help me achieve these results. Thank you, Marian.

    MARK: You are too kind, Mark. Thank you. The watch did come at a price. I had to say goodbye to my previous Portuguese Automatic in black, a JLC Grande Reverso Ultra Thin Duoface and an Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra. But I am quite sure the move is worth it.

  • Insider
    2 Apr 2014, 8:30 a.m.

    PADJ: Thank you, Mike. Now I must learn how to be careful when swinging my arms about in public places. I hit the buckle on a steel guard rail once already. I was lucky it was the buckle and not the watch itself.

    ARDOISE: "Romance" is the word that escaped me. I was trying to think, but couldn't, until you said it out for me. Regarding photo, as said above, the macro lens is my savior and I bounced the flash off either ceiling or wall to help bring out the details. There is one usable pic for every five or six missed pics I must say. But I managed to get all the shots I wanted in the end.

    CESUS: Thank you, Cesus. Hope there wil be more to follow, possibly in the long-standing "Where has your IWC taken you?" thread.

  • Insider
    2 Apr 2014, 8:33 a.m.

    MANORAC5: That's great! I know a few friends in Bangkok who likes IWC, mostly the Pilot watches though. An IWC GTG would be awesome. Let's make it happen. I will try to have my e-mail address listed under my name on this forum. But just in case I fail there you can write me at ruckdeec@gmail.com. Thank you.

    GIOVANNI AMBROGIO: Thank you! I hope to be able to contribute more to the forum in the future.

    EMIR ULKUMEN: I had to look up the number because I have poor memory. Now I know which one it is. I thought about that one as well but I have never had a gold watch before so I chose the colord gold. Surely I will have the opportunity to congratulate you in the coming months.

  • Insider
    2 Apr 2014, 8:43 a.m.

    TEEVEETEE: A reassurance from a fellow watch lover means a lot. Thank you for the PS on size and wrist. Here are two more shots I can find readily.

    From one of those brief weekends out of the city...
    ruckdee.chotjinda.com/watches/portpet0060.jpg

    And another on a rare occasion in business attire...
    ruckdee.chotjinda.com/watches/portpet0063.jpg

  • Master
    2 Apr 2014, 3:12 p.m.

    Congratulation to your new PPC and I must say your photos reflect well of the rose gold with black dial combination. I really love the countdown indicator for the next full moon which is not found in other PCs.

    Wear in it good health and look forward to your next acquisition.

  • Master
    2 Apr 2014, 5:14 p.m.

    Ruckdee - simply stunning photos of a stunning watch, cingratulations indeed!

    I made the similar leap almost three years ago, a silver faced PPC in rose gold was and is my only gold watch - and I still adore it as much today as when I got it. It is always a pleasure to put on the wrist. And if you need any further confirmation, the size looks just perfect for you!

  • Master
    2 Apr 2014, 8:01 p.m.

    Wow, great story and no brand makes perpetuals as IWC do! Many congrats on this special watch and thanks for your superb photos!

    Regards,

    Bob