• Apprentice
    26 Jan 2017, 1:48 p.m.

    Hi, I acquired a Portofino 8 Day Big Date Manual Silver Dial from a reputable IWC dealer in the US. However, when I inspected the movement carefully, it is marked "c.59210". This is highly unusual because Big Date was introduced in 2013 with a new "c.59230" movement, but why does my watch contain the older movement caliber? This just does not make any sense. Also my case serial is much higher than my movement serial number, case 5111478, movement 3742030. This is a 12:00 big date dial, not the older 8 day with smaller date at 3:00. Could anyone tell me something about this inconsistency?

  • Master
    26 Jan 2017, 2:18 p.m.

    One possible explanation to the movement: Marketing texts (59230) are not always 100% correct.
    Case and movement serials are independent from each other.

  • Apprentice
    26 Jan 2017, 9:31 p.m.

    Thanks Tilo. But for a $20k watch, this is quite sloppy, no? Do you see this type of errors often?

  • Master
    26 Jan 2017, 10:22 p.m.

    Hello Retro and welcome to the forum. If your watch has the big date display, than it does indeed have a C. 59230. I'm curious to know if the plate that is engraved with the calibre No. is identical to the plate used on the C.59210 and may possibly have been selected by accident when the movement was assembled. I have not heard of this type of error before so would not surmise that it happens often, but given that these watches are hand-made, there is always a slight chance for human error. Had this happened on a fully automated, robotic production line, I would have been more surprised.

  • Apprentice
    27 Jan 2017, 1:21 a.m.

    Thanks Ben. Yeah, I thought so too since big date 59210 is in fact 59230. I've submitted a serial number inquiry to IWC headquarter through the IWC dealership that sold me the watch. Let's see what Schaffhaueen says.. Thx.

  • 27 Jan 2017, 5:05 p.m.

    Hmm...interesting case. Please Keep us posted and a very warm welcome to the Forum.

    Cheers Chris