Memories of my Pisa Portugueser

Another brand has just announced a watch to honor the last watchmaker of their family. Named the Alfred Jurgensen, the watch to me is actually an honor to one of my very favorite IWC's of all time, the Pisa Portugueser.

Here are pictures of the Jurgensen and the Pisa in approximately the same pose.

There are many things I like about the Jurgensen. I love the vintage lugs and the clean treatment of the subdial. The hands are a Jurgensen signature and the shiny bluing looks nice on them. The movement looks great, though I don't know that any movement will ever be as lovely as the IWC 9828.

But to me there is nothing I have seen that beats the traditional script IWC logo. I wish IWC had never moved away from it. The hands on the Pisa are soooo graceful. And of course IWC long ago perfected those wonderful grainy Portuguese dial surfaces. Probably everyone reading this site knows the story of how Portuguesers originally came to be, and the place the Jubilees (and close kin the Pisa) have held among fans of IWC.

My Pisa is long gone to another home, but I sure haven't forgotten it!

Great post Dick!!!

That Jurgensen is stunning and does in afct have a close resemblance to the Pisa, except for the lugs!!!! LOL

Hi Dick
The Pisa Portugieser along with the Jubilee is without a doubt IWC at its best
This dial design was used before on PW and Ref 325 with cal 74.
It is indeed baffling why the traditional script was abandoned. The best explanation I can come up with is that it was done to accommodate the "millennials" who could not be bothered to take the time to read International Watch Co.

The cal 98, 982 and 9828 are indeed one of the most beautiful movements IWC made.

The Cal 71, however, is a serious competitor for the most beautiful IWC movement.

The Pisa Portugueser is one of my all time favorite IWC watches. I always regret that I didn't have the resources at the time you put it up for sale. The Jurgensen is a beauty. Thanks for posting these pictures, Dick!.

Hi Dick, long time no 'see' and thanks for sharing these outstanding watches and your sentiment on the Portuguese Pisa... I try to stick to IWC but I love that Jurgensen!!!!

Kind regards,

Bob