IWC Portugieser Automatic 40: the Perfect Watch? (ref. IW358305 )

The IWC portugieser automatic 40 is one of the hottest introductions of 2020. But is it worth its hefty price tag?
Price
€ 7200 euros / $ 7250
Reference
IW358305
Size
It has a 40,4mm 30m water resistant steel case. This new size closely resembles the original Ref. 325 from 1939, which measured 41.5 millimeters.
Movement
The in-house calibre 82200 has 60 hours of power reserve and it consists of 224 components. It can be seen through the glass caseback. The finishing is nicely decorated, with some Geneva stripes and perlage.
#IWC
IWC was founded in 1868 by the American Florentine Ariosto Jones in the Swiss village Schaffhausen. The manufacture is located right next to the Rhine river, that initially was used to power the factory. It is now owned by luxury conglomerate Richemont.
Why I chose it
I didn’t think I would ever actually say this, but… I really do think they made the perfect watch. And when it comes to having a perfect everyday watch… On the wrist, it definitely shows its worth. It’s out there, without shouting out loud. It’s also got a firm presence because of its thickness. To me it is very clear they did everything, considered every detail to give this watch its great personality.
About Fresh Faces
Promising independent, well-informed real-life watch videos. And if possible with some fun.
I’m a watch enthousiast and professional with 10+ years of experience, who stubbornly believes watches should be intelligent, clever and arousing.
Independence guarantee
All of my reviews are made independently. Watch companies do not get to see the video before it is published.
All of the watches are borrowed from the watch companies and returned as soon as necessary. No covert advertisements are accepted without mentioning.
If the watch company in question does have specific wishes, I always mention this in the video.
Voluntary gifts such as financial support by fans are appreciated and accepted.
My wrist size
17 cm / 6.7 inch
You're invited to follow me here as well: / watchthefreshfaces
#iwc #portugieser #iwcportugieseautomatic40 #watches

[@snaan78]

I previously planned to buy a blue Jlc Reverso, but after watching this video, I liked the IWC portuguese very much and I thought that I would change the plan and go to the portuguese

[@WatchTheFreshFaces]

Now that's an interesting one! I used to own a Reverso (Duoface) but sold it because it didn't get much wrist time. Now ever since doing this review, I'm considering buying a Portugieser as well. I honestly think it would get much more time on the wrist. It's just such a complete watch, fits any day or style.

[@drnick40]

IWC has a unique design language indeed. The Portugeiser in particular has the perfect proportions of a classical masterpiece.

[@an_kan]

Excellent review! I own the white dial jubilee chrono, and i just realised through your review, that the blue dial is also very very beautiful.. I believe i will not regret buying it..

[@WatchTheFreshFaces]

Thanks! 🙏 Oh this one is still on my mind every day… quite sure I’ll pull the trigger on it soon 😄😄

[@coffeeboyclips1973]

Tried on the green, was stunning, I'm not loaded so can either get the mark 20 in blue or Portugueser, feel like the mark 20 is a better all rounder but the portugieser looks super classy.

[@mahdi9207]

I love this video mate, learned a lot on this particular model of IWC . Instant subscribe :)

[@WatchTheFreshFaces]

Very glad to hear you liked it... and welcome! More goodness to come and please don't hesitate to share your opinions!

[@user-oc8cl9rd9y]

As usual, fantastic content

[@WatchTheFreshFaces]

Thank you so much for your kind words!

[@stefanievanworkum1990]

👌thanks for the review!

[@WatchTheFreshFaces]

Always welcome! 😁

[@raymondvdb2286]

Very well made review, thanks!

[@WatchTheFreshFaces]

Thanks 👌 I honestly wanted to buy it afterwards 😂

[@nomanor7987]

IWC is awesome

[@WatchTheFreshFaces]

Absolutely. I still want this watch! It's really stuck in my mind

[@denbo74]

I’m strongly considering this watch. I thought I liked the white but the blue looks gorgeous!

[@WatchTheFreshFaces]

Well, definitely go for it I'd say... It really is a very impressive watch that always hits rhe right note I'm honestly very very much considering this one or the chrono, and thats only because I think a good chrono is missing from my collection 😁

[@riadrasimi9958]

I love everything about this watch except the prize!

[@WatchTheFreshFaces]

Hahaha yeah loving watches is a painful way of life ;)-

[@jantoniotjhang]

what watch are you wearing

[@jaegermeister1968]

The IWC is a very elegant watch, but what very thin watch is there on your wrist?

[@WatchTheFreshFaces]

Oh yes that’s my Zenith Captain Elite! Still one of my favourites 😁

[@sergeyzerkin8029]

Nice video ... but I don’t get is it similar or not to the eta movement ?

[@WatchTheFreshFaces]

That's a good question, thanks for asking! The real answer is actually no, not at all. For various reasons, IWC started developing and producing in-house movements again about a decade ago. Because it's utterly useless to completely reinvent the wheel, they took a long hard look at the architecture of the ETA (one of the most reliable movements ever made) and then made their own movement. They added a larger power reserve, some ceramic parts, the Pellaton winding system, a completely new rotor, they enlarged the diameter, etc. If you ever have the chance to compare both movements with your own eyes, then one thing will occur as well: IWC 'skeletonized' the movement a little bit, really showing more of the movement. Finally, it's good to note it's definitely not an ebauche movement (a fully premade movement from a third party). In all, I'd say it has become a real IWC creation that has not much to do with the ETA in the end...

[@jiajianhou426]

could be my next watch lol. could be.

[@WatchTheFreshFaces]

Should be! ;-)

[@rayutwenty-four6753]

Do you know if the IWC Caliber 82200 in this watch is based on the ETA 2892A2? Thanks!

[@WatchTheFreshFaces]

That's a good question, thanks for asking! The real answer is actually 'not entirely yes, not entirely no'. For various reasons, IWC started developing and producing in-house movements again about a decade ago. Because it's utterly useless to completely reinvent the wheel, they took a long hard look at the architecture of the ETA (one of the most reliable movements ever made) and then made their own movement. They added a larger power reserve, some ceramic parts, the Pellaton winding system, a completely new rotor, they enlarged the diameter, etc. If you ever have the chance to compare both movements with your own eyes, then one thing will occur as well: IWC 'skeletonized' the movement a little bit, really showing more of the movement. Finally, it's good to note it's definitely not an ebauche movement (a fully premade movement from a third party). In all, I'd say it has become a real IWC creation that has not much to do with the ETA in the end...

[@rayutwenty-four6753]

@@WatchTheFreshFaces Thank you for the response. So, it wouldn’t be any different from a car company making its own engine based on a similar architecture as another car maker. Instead of buying pre-made engines from a third-party. Where can we find the information saying that it is based on an ETA? We can conclude solidly then, that the IWC Caliber 82200 is by no means an ETA movement but purely in-house. More power to your channel!

[@WatchTheFreshFaces]

Yeah indeed, quite right! Or more accurately, to tune the engine to a point that it really is a completely new engine. A bit like Aston Martin did a while ago with their V12 engines based on the Ford V6 engines.

[@rayutwenty-four6753]

@@WatchTheFreshFaces Would you be able to share the source where it says that the IWC caliber 82200's architecture is based on ETA 2892A2. The only place I saw where this was written is on a website called WatchWiki, which also does not show where it obtained such information. IWC's website does not say if the architecture was based on another movement, unless I missed it. Thank you again!

[@WatchTheFreshFaces]

@@rayutwenty-four6753 No online source. I remember it being discussed at the time of the introduction in Schaffhausen, but that's a couple of years ago.

[@DutchBulldog]

I liked the close up shots of this watch (you could have added more shots of the dial and the hands though). However, it is a shame that you did not reference the source from which you got the interview fragments with the CEO of IWC: Time+Tide. Because of this it feels like half of this video was pure plagiarism.

[@WingZeroCustom001]

Does this have to be a dress watch, I wonder if you could wear this in more casual outfits ? As a daily driver?

[@WatchTheFreshFaces]

Well, good question! I actually do think it fits very well with a T-shirt as well, or even a sweater. It lifts the outfit up without being garish at all.

[@robertsullivan4773]

Late to this video but am interested on IWC. But you hit the nail on the head when you hinted at it as a negative. It's a lot of 💰 for a three hander with a nicely finished movement but nothing great.

[@WatchTheFreshFaces]

Thanks! Yeah still stand by those although I must say I’m still madly in love with it. Still think about buying it… such a good looking watch 😍

[@robertsullivan4773]

@@WatchTheFreshFaces 😆 so am I an I'm looking at the new perpetual calendar 42mm. But you only live once and you should only buy what you love and screw the price if you can afford it.

[@sergeyzerkin8029]

What are you actually wearing

[@WatchTheFreshFaces]

In this video, I'm actually wearing my Zenith Captain Elite! One of my favourites. I actually quite recently wrote this article on it: monochrome-watches.com/hands-on-new-2020-zenith-elite-40-5mm-collection-vs-predecessor/

[@tompattinson5784]

Do you know the lug to lug measurement?

[@WatchTheFreshFaces]

Meh forgot to measure that! So stupid, sorry about that. As soon as I have one, I'll let you know!

[@Rovertt]

I don't have firsthand information on this, but I'm told that the lug-to-lug measurement on the IWC Automatic 40 is 48.5mm.

[@WatchTheFreshFaces]

@@Rovertt Thanks for sharing!

[@WilliamButtel]

Hmmmmmm Its good but ima slight snob i wish it wasnt based on an eta... in house and manufactured movement such a grey area lol

[@WatchTheFreshFaces]

Yeah definitely. Understand your point!

[@qwertyman9560]

Then you won't like the Omega co-axials either.

[@WatchTheFreshFaces]

@@qwertyman9560 I do! Great concept and I think Omega really did wel by doubling down on mr. Daniels's initial concept 👍

[@Jay-xr3sb]

Too big for the style, its all dial. 100% would have bought it at 38mm.

[@WatchTheFreshFaces]

Thanks for sharing your view! Yeah, you could actually be right about the 38mm... maybe they'll go for it in the future... let's hope so

[@christaries576]

Yes, and it's also a little bit thick considering it's a 3hander and an inhouse movement and it only has 3 bar waterproof.

[@constantinmiron6980]

The watch is for the price of 7,7k unacceptable!