Vintage Collection Portofino crown issues

Dear all,

My beloved VC Port which I rarely get to wear, due to its being serviced constantly, now came down with crown malfunction issues for the third time.

Instead of using my local IWC service center here in Korea, I decided to send it to Hong Kong, hoping they could do a better job.

Hong Kong reported back that they suggest changing to a new crown design.
So here is my question:

What does this new crown look like? How does is fit the case, design wise?
How is your experience with it?

All feedback much appreciated!

Niels.

Apart from the moon complication, the movement is the same as of the other handwound movements of the three Vintage Collection watches lounged in 2008. I have three of those watches, never encountered any problems with the crown, or problems at all. Some movements are a bit stiff when winding, that is a problem with the Portofino, as the crown is small, thus difficult to grab. I know of one forum member who changed the original crown to a different, bigger one. But I don't know about a different, new crown design. Was suggested that it was about the looks or about something technical? The movement, also used in the Portuguese Handwound, is discontinued, so it seems strange to me that there would be a new design. Given all the comments lately about service, maybe foremost in your part of the world, I would send the watch in somewhere else: I certainly trust the service organisation in North Western Europe. This, because until now no issues about the crown are known to me. Good luck, your issue is one I would like to avoid.

Kind regards,
Paul

It would be a great service to devoted IWC buyers if the answer would be the direct link, not always "search the archives" - since the moderator is substantially paid by IWC.

Here are pictures of the crown replacement for my VC Portofino. It was a great upgrade.

[](s95.photobucket.com/user/wbarker75/media/Portofino/DSC_6780_zps6749e175.jpg.html)

[](s95.photobucket.com/user/wbarker75/media/Portofino/DSC_6758_zps7dcd7df7.jpg.html)

[](s95.photobucket.com/user/wbarker75/media/Portofino/DSC_6757_zps5e302a94.jpg.html)

Original crown.

Have to agree Bill. I think that new crown is actually an improvement to the overall look. At least it looks that way in the pics. More practical too.

Cheers,

Jarrod

Dear Bill,

Thank you for posting pictures of your upgraded VC Portofino.
That was helpful and has led me to decide to upgrade, too.

A good day to you, and to the rest of the IWC community!

Thank you,
Niels.