Help with buying first IWC

Hi All,

I'm new to watch collecting and I'm in the market to buy my first IWC.

I'm taking a trip to HK in the coming weeks and have spotted a Portofino 391008 for sale that I've fallen in love with (s1079.photobucket.com/user/cameron_lee3/media/ICW%201_zpsljboll4o.jpg.html?filters[user]=145159018&filters[recent]=1&sort=1&o=2).

The only problem is that the watch doesn't come with a box or paperwork, and I'm quite scared in buying a watch without fully knowing it's authentic. All my previous watches have come from AD's, but this is from a large 2nd hand dealer called KEN's Watches.

Could anyone give me some advice on how to authenticate the watch?

Many thanks in advance,

Cameron

The money involved is quite substantial. So, I myself always buy at an AD, and I think this is a very good idea. Second hand, no papers, a seller you really don't know very well? Stay away! Apart from being a fake, all kinds of things could be wrong with the watch, you could be very sorry for the money you were supposed to save for other purposes.

Kind regards,
Paul

Welcome to the forum and good luck with your first IWC watch. Lots of watches are sold second hand without box and papers. That does not necessarily indicate that the watch is fake. The lack of B/P should be reflected in the price though.
The dealer Ken Watches runs four shops in HK and is well known. Have a search on the internet and you will get a lot of comments from previous costumers.
Jens-Kristian

Hi, i also think Portofino is an excellent choice to start collecting IWC. Having said that if you can stretch your budget, a Portugieser is a finer watch. If you are travelling to the Far East the best place to buy your watch would be from an AD in Malaysia. Due to devaluation of the currency in recent months, you can get very good deals. AD's are normally registered for VAT refund through companies such as Global Blue and you can get a further 4% back (less administration cost) on top.

I agree with the previous comment that not all watches without Box and paper are fake but it is always better to buy from reputable dealers plus the fact if you ever decide to sell it, it is easier if it has box and paper.

Best of luck and bon voyage.

Hi, Having just purchased my first IWC I am so glad that I bought from a AD as you have the reassurance of authenticity. I also made sure I bought local as if anything occurred I would have a good point of contact as their existing customer.

Just before I purchased mine, I did fly though Terminal 5 at Heathrow and they offered everything VAT free.

Personally I went for the new Pilot Chronograph, fantastic watch and lots of compliments.