IntroductionThis is a review on the IWC Portuguese Automatic Edition Laureus Sport for Good Foundation watch (IW500112) which I purchased on 31 July. This is a limited edition of IWC Portuguese Automatic 7 days and is available in 1,000 pieces. In terms of technical features, it is basically the same as Portuguese Automatic Reference 5001 series (IW500107 and IW500109). However, there are significant differences on the dial and caseback. This watch combines a very strong history rooted in mariner and social cause in Laureus Foundation. A very special timepiece indeed!
From historical perspective, IWC Portuguese was first produced in 1939 as a result of two Portuguese businessmen, Rodrigues and Teixeira showed up at IWC Schaffhausen to commission the watchmaker to make a big stainless steel wristwatch with the accuracy of the marine chronometer. The first IWC Portuguese was a high precision wristwatch based on hunter pocket watch movement. This marked the beginning of Portuguese watches incorporating many great technical features and complications. The unique common features of Portuguese watches (at that time) were large and imposing wrist watch with high level of accuracy and precision.
In 2000, IWC incorporated the new calibre 5000 movement into the Portuguese. Among some of the key technical features were the legendary Paellaton winding system and a whopping 7 days power reserve (actually 8.5 days but an innovative mechanism to stop it when the power reserve is low to prevent loss of precision). The current version of Portuguese Automatic retains this excellent in-house movement.
On the other hand, the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation was founded in 2000 by Daimler and Richemont where IWC is one of the global partners. The Laureus Sport for Good Foundation is a non-political charitable organization that believes sport can change the world and make it a better place. The Foundation is implementing programs/initiatives to use sport as the way to get children off the streets, away from crime, drug and juvenile delinquency. It attempts to get them back to school and achieve successful and productive lives. It is a global organization addressing a multitude of social issues via sports in countries all over the world.
SpecificationsWatch: Portuguese Automatic Edition Laureus Sport For Good Foundation (Ref. IW500112)
Limited to 1000 pieces.
Features
Large automatic movement wristwatch with Pellaton winding mechanism, small seconds hand and seven-day power reserve display
Caseback with medallion showing the winning drawing by a 12-year-old child’s "Team spirit" from painting competition organized by IWC.
Watch in stainless steel with blue alligator leather strap with stainless steel folding clasp
Movement
Calibre: 51011
Vibrations: 21,600/h / 3 Hz
Jewels: 42
Power reserve: 168 h (7 days)
Winding: Automatic
Displays: hours, minutes, small seconds hand with stop function, power reserve, date
Case Material: stainless steel
Crystal: sapphire, convex, anti-reflective coating on both sides
Spring: Breguet Spring
Main Dial: Laureus blue
Subdials: small seconds and power reserve silver-plated
Water-resistant: 3 bar
Diameter: 42.3mm
Height: 14mm
Weight: 105 g
The PackageThe outermost box used for shipping is a normal looking box except the shipping label
This special watch also comes with special package. It comes with a unusually big white outer box with both “Laureus Sport for Good foundation” and “IWC” logo.
It also comes with a even bigger size coffee table book from Laureus Foundation called “Let the Children Play – Sport can change the World”. The book describes the foundation’s various programs and also introduces Laureus Sport winners (including Nelson Mandelas Majesty the King of Spain) and the Laureus World Sports Academy members (among them Edwin Moses, Mark Spitz, Boris Becker, Katarina Witt, Jack Nicklaus, Franz Beckenbauer, etc.). It also contains some of the best black-and-white photos that I have ever come across. I read part of the book last night and felt good that my purchase somehow contribute to a good social cause!
Open up the white outer box reveals a black inner box containing the watch. The boxes are made of paper – environmental friendly but not as impressive as the AP or Glashutte. I am OK with the packaging.
Open up the box shows the watch. The metal plate beside the watch is a nice touch showing the watch model and the sequence number of the watch (XXX/1000).
The documentation is fairly standard and simple as Portuguese Automatic does not have very complicated features.
The Dial and Case MaterialsThe dial is an epitome of understated elegance, fine craftmanship, clarity and simplicity. Yet it is never boring. Looking at the dial, one will immediately notice the beautiful Laureus blue dial. Blue was chosen by the Foundation as the color of hope for all the disadvantage children in the world. Blue also happens to be my favorite color! This is one of the key reasons I bought this watch. The hour and minute hands are silver in traditional Portuguese swallow style. I just love the railway track style minute chapter ring. This is another reason I fall in love with Portuguese Automatic 7 Days
The sapphire crystal is coated with antireflective material on both side and this combines with large case make it easy to read the time. I notice, however, that the crystal are mirror-like in certain angle where you can see reflected objects on the crystal surface.
The sub-dials are silver in color and contrasted with blue hands. This gives a distinct look from the normal Portuguese Automatic watch (where the main dial and subdials are of the same color). One may think that it is a chronograph watch from afar. The legibility and readability of the subdials are superb. The attention to details and finishing are also immaculate and top class. For example, the silver dials have circular pattern but it is hardly visible due to its fine pattern. It only shows up in macro shots (see two pics below)!
The case material is stainless steel. It is constructed with two polished section sandwiching a brushed section. With the top section (i.e. bezel) in polished stainless steel, I am afraid that it will sustain a scratch very soon! This construction reminds me of the Seiko's Discusburger but this is a far more elegant design of a burger!
The CasebackThe standard Portuguese has a transparent sapphire back to allow one to admire the beautiful movement of the watch. I am unable to do so for this watch as it is using a solid steel medallion engraved with the winning painting from a children’s painting organized by IWC and Laureus Foundation. The name of the winner is a 12-year old Sri Lankan K.D. Sriyan Chamod Dishan with the painting titled “Team Spirit”.
The engraving is not particularly deep but it is beautifully done and very legible. It also show the serial number, watch number (xxx/1000) and the title “LAUREUS SPORT FOR GOOD FOUNDATION & IWC”.
Since my watch is new, it is still covered with a layer of plastic which I do not want to remove yet. I am attaching a picture borrowed from internet for comparison.
From internet:
Strap and BuckleThe dark blue alligator strap matches very well with the Laureus blue dial. I can't think of any other color that is more appropriate for this watch! The deployment buckle is nice but I don’t find it any better than my other watches (of similar price range). The strap fits my wrist nicely and the watch sits comfortably on my wrist. No complaint here. Perhaps the minor issue I have is the adjustment on the strap is not as good as, for example, my Glashutte. In addition, to release the buckle seems to be less elegant as significant force is required to pull it open. May be I just need to get used to it.
The plastic cover has not been removed from the folding clasp yet!
Crown and OperationsThe crown is signed with "IWC Probus Scafusia" which means "good, solid craftsmanship from Schaffhausen". This character trait shows in every aspect of this watch!
The crown of the Portuguese Auto is of decent size but it is no Big Pilot’s. I was comparing these two at the AD and Big Pilot won. Nevertheless, the operation on the Portuguese is smooth and reassuring. In fact, it is better than most of my other watches. I noticed that for me to wind up from 0 power reserve to Full takes a very short time and not too many turns. This is very impressive and a testament to its efficiency.
ConclusionsI was looking for this piece when it was first announced but I had very low hope of getting it here in Malaysia. The AD also couldn’t provide any positive answer on the availability. It was totally coincidental that just when I was about to order another watch that this one showed up. I knew then I wanted this watch! The question was how much I was willing to pay for it. In the end, I think I got a very good deal for this but it is almost as expensive as a Big Pilot. I am OK with it as I can always get a BP later but this piece is not so common. For that price, one can also get the AP RO but I already have one!
Since my job requires me to travel quite a fair bit, I am beginning to appreciate the advantage of having a long power reserve. I don't have a watch winder and many of my watches will stop after 2 days of inactivity. My Blancpain has 100 hours (which is amazing itself consider it is ultra slim design), AP RO is about 72 hours. This one has 168 hrs of power reserve! So I can leave this at home for a week's business trip and this one is still ticking when I come back! Note: I don't like to take this on the road because it may not be as tough against knocks while traveling (e.g. airport security clearance, etc.)
After spending some time with this piece, I can say that:
* This is one of the most beautiful and elegant watches that I owned. I believe it just beat Glashutte Pano by a whisker
* I will not use this as a daily wear because this is too beautiful to be worn daily!
* I also think that the polished areas will be susceptible to minor hairline scratches if use for daily wear
* It is easy to get the power reserve to the max due to very efficient winding mechanism
* The finishing is top class and the basic operations is smooth
* This watch can be used as a dress watch but it can also be used as casual watch
* I feel good wearing it because it is an unique piece and I also indirectly contributed to a charity organization
* I have always wanted a Portuguese Automatic 7-days and this is the one that delivers more than a basic Portuguese Automatic.
* The 51011 movement is accurate when fully wound. However, it is notoriously inaacurate when the power reserve is low. I notice the accuracy was off by more than a minute after leaving the watch idle for some time and the power reserve runs low. So far, this watch has met all my expectations except may be the accuracy part when the PR is low.
* Obviously this watch has no lume. It doesn't bother me as lume will be out of place on this piece. However, since I was originally planning to get a sport watch with GMT and lume, this means that I have to save for another watch later.
I am hoping more watchmakers will do more collaborations with charity/non-profit organizations. It makes me feel good wearing one knowing that I have contributed somewhat to a good cause. For example, I think VC should work with the Red Cross!
RatingRecommend to Buy: Highly Recommended if you have the budget and can find it
Suitability as Daily Wear: Probably Not
Special: Unique look, beautiful blue dial, caseback engraving and for a good cause!
Price/Value for Money: 6/10 vs normal Portuguese
Reliability: 9/10
Design/Look: 10/10
Case materials: 8/10
Accuracy/Precision: 8/10
Finishing: 9/10
Comfortable to Wear: 8/10
Practicality: 9/10 with large dial, big date and long power reserve
