2,691 Discussions and CommentsMember since Sept. 20, 2007
wrb75 Wrote:I am a bit annoyed FB was able to post the pics first as well. One would hope a significant target audience of current owners of IWCs who are invested in the Brand via the Forum would get early info on new models / LE.
It's a bit of a stretch to claim this reaches 500M viewers as you have to Like the IWC site to have seen the post, but the principle is the same...post here first.
2,691 Discussions and CommentsMember since Sept. 20, 2007
Ladies and Gents, I agree with the sentiment....it would have been nice for Schaffhausen to first post the pics here!
Bill, thanks for bringing it to us - time is of the essence in most of our daily schedules, and it probably would not have reached me, by way of FB alone, as I give preference when I have the time available, to visit this forum first.
1,931 Discussions and CommentsMember since Aug. 4, 2001
Since this watch is a tribute to Portugal, I believe I should explain the meaning of the emblem in the rotor.
It is part of the shield at the center part of the Portuguese flag. The five "quinas" in the center represent the five Moorish kings defeated by D. Afonso Henriques (the first king of Portugal, 1112-1185) in the battle of Ourique, a decisive battle during the Reconquista. The 5 white dots inside each "quina" represent the five wounds of Christ. The seven castles symbolize the 7 fortified cities D. Afonso Henriques conquered from the Moors.
For the shield in the center of the flag to be complete it ought to have included the armillary sphere, which represents the world that the Portuguese navigators discovered in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries and the people with whom they exchanged ideas and trade.
5,078 Discussions and CommentsMember since Aug. 9, 2006
clepsydra Wrote:Since this watch is a tribute to Portugal, I believe I should explain the meaning of the emblem in the rotor.
It is part of the shield at the center part of the Portuguese flag. The five "quinas" in the center represent the five Moorish kings defeated by D. Afonso Henriques (the first king of Portugal, 1112-1185) in the battle of Ourique, a decisive battle during the Reconquista. The 5 white dots inside each "quina" represent the five wounds of Christ. The seven castles symbolize the 7 fortified cities D. Afonso Henriques conquered from the Moors.
For the shield in the center of the flag to be complete it ought to have included the armillary sphere, which represents the world that the Portuguese navigators discovered in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries and the people with whom they exchanged ideas and trade.
Clepsydra,
Thanks for the explanation of of the rotor disk engraving. I asked MF about its symbolism and neither of us had knowledge at the time. Your information, once again, showcases the value of being a part of this community of Collectors and fellow Forum members.
1,931 Discussions and CommentsMember since Aug. 4, 2001
Clepsydra, Thanks for the explanation of of the rotor disk engraving. I asked MF about its symbolism and neither of us had knowledge at the time. Your information, once again, showcases the value of being a part of this community of Collectors and fellow Forum members.
Hi Bill, Appreciate your kind words. I wish, however, that IWC have included the armillary sphere, not only because without it the shield is incomplete, but also because it would have fit perfectly in that round space, where Probus Scafusia usually goes. While this is unlikely to generate a diplomatic incident, it is IMHO a mistake. The Portuguese discoveries of the XV and XVI centuries are the apex of Portuguese history, and an important part of IWC's marketing strategy. By eliminating the armillary sphere, which represents the discoveries, in favor of the inner part of the shield, representing the genesis of Portugal (some 400 years before the Portuguese turned to the sea) IWC is focusing on the wrong era, diverting from its marketing strategy. In the end, this may not be at all important, as few people will know or care what the Portuguese shield represents. Somebody at IWC ought to have cared and known, though.
3,774 Discussions and CommentsMember since March 28, 2001
Hi Clepsydra,
Thank you very much for your explanation. I learned something about Portuguese history in connection to its flag. Your message also tells me about your love for your country, which is a good sign to me. What can I say, what you write is somehow a bit painful, I wish IWC would have checked. Maybe it can still be corrected, it is only the gold medallion. A Portuguese Portuguese should be flawless.
Kind regards, Paul
What you do may not be so important, but it is very important that you do it well. (my variation of a saying by Gandhi)
5,076 Discussions and CommentsMember since May 29, 2003Sarasota, FL,
United States
clepsydra Wrote: The Portuguese discoveries of the XV and XVI centuries are the apex of Portuguese history, and an important part of IWC's marketing strategy. By eliminating the armillary sphere, which represents the discoveries, in favor of the inner part of the shield, representing the genesis of Portugal (some 400 years before the Portuguese turned to the sea) IWC is focusing on the wrong era, diverting from its marketing strategy. In the end, this may not be at all important, as few people will know or care what the Portuguese shield represents. Somebody at IWC ought to have cared and known, though.
You should send this info to Oliver Siiegle or someone else at IWC. Or hopefully they will read about it here. Having met you, I know you are passionate about the details in watches. And since you are living in Portugal your opinion should not be taken lightly.
Thanks for the explanation about the symbolism. I found it very interesting.
1,931 Discussions and CommentsMember since Aug. 4, 2001
Paul Bloemen Wrote:... A Portuguese Portuguese should be flawless...
A flawless Portuguese would be a first :-)), and not even the Swiss, with their reputation for thoroughness and accuracy, were able to produce one. The era of the Descobrimentos was the apex the history of Portugal but, unfortunately, it has been downhill ever since. I doubt IWC will be able to correct the mistake and add the armillary sphere. From what I was able to understand, IWC's design and production process is not very flexible and does not easily accommodate change. On the other hand, this error may render the watch more collectible, as is the case of misspellings in certain movements. Not to me. I do not intend acquiring this watch.
209 Discussions and CommentsMember since Nov. 16, 2004ashford,
United Kingdom
Wow, what a beautiful watch, thanks for sharing the picture. I normally do not like wearing red or yellow gold watches for myself but this one is a stuuner.
1,931 Discussions and CommentsMember since Aug. 4, 2001
lndblr Wrote:You should send this info to Oliver Siiegle or someone else at IWC. Or hopefully they will read about it here. Having met you, I know you are passionate about the details in watches. And since you are living in Portugal your opinion should not be taken lightly. Thanks for the explanation about the symbolism. I found it very interesting.
I was under the impression Schaffhausen monitored the forum on a regular basis. I recall that, occasionally IWC replied to, or commented on more technical issues, although I have not seen any such participation in a long time. The error in the Portuguese shield is a matter of fact, and not of opinion, let alone my opinion. All IWC had to do to get the shield right was an internet search. I must, however, entertain the possibility that this is exactly how IWC wanted to do it. It is only a watch after all. Much ado about nothing, all over again? :-)) I am in fact passionate about the details in watches, especially IWC's tool watches: Pilots, Ingenieurs and Aquatimers, which I think ought to remain true to their name, and not become expensive fashion watches at the expense of their fundamental characteristics.
Best regards
Mark
Last edited: 16 April, 2013 - 00:36
Bill, thanks for bringing it to us - time is of the essence in most of our daily schedules, and it probably would not have reached me, by way of FB alone, as I give preference when I have the time available, to visit this forum first.
Best regards
Mark
Best regards
Mark
Last edited: 16 April, 2013 - 00:36
It is part of the shield at the center part of the Portuguese flag. The five "quinas" in the center represent the five Moorish kings defeated by D. Afonso Henriques (the first king of Portugal, 1112-1185) in the battle of Ourique, a decisive battle during the Reconquista. The 5 white dots inside each "quina" represent the five wounds of Christ. The seven castles symbolize the 7 fortified cities D. Afonso Henriques conquered from the Moors.
For the shield in the center of the flag to be complete it ought to have included the armillary sphere, which represents the world that the Portuguese navigators discovered in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries and the people with whom they exchanged ideas and trade.
clepsydra
ad fontes...
Last edited: 30 October, 2011 - 22:05
Clepsydra,
Thanks for the explanation of of the rotor disk engraving. I asked MF about its symbolism and neither of us had knowledge at the time. Your information, once again, showcases the value of being a part of this community of Collectors and fellow Forum members.
Bill
Last edited: 23 June, 2012 - 20:15
Hi Bill,
Appreciate your kind words.
I wish, however, that IWC have included the armillary sphere, not only because without it the shield is incomplete, but also because it would have fit perfectly in that round space, where Probus Scafusia usually goes.
While this is unlikely to generate a diplomatic incident, it is IMHO a mistake.
The Portuguese discoveries of the XV and XVI centuries are the apex of Portuguese history, and an important part of IWC's marketing strategy. By eliminating the armillary sphere, which represents the discoveries, in favor of the inner part of the shield, representing the genesis of Portugal (some 400 years before the Portuguese turned to the sea) IWC is focusing on the wrong era, diverting from its marketing strategy.
In the end, this may not be at all important, as few people will know or care what the Portuguese shield represents. Somebody at IWC ought to have cared and known, though.
clepsydra
ad fontes...
Last edited: 30 October, 2011 - 22:05
Thank you very much for your explanation. I learned something about Portuguese history in connection to its flag. Your message also tells me about your love for your country, which is a good sign to me. What can I say, what you write is somehow a bit painful, I wish IWC would have checked. Maybe it can still be corrected, it is only the gold medallion. A Portuguese Portuguese should be flawless.
Kind regards,
Paul
What you do may not be so important, but it is very important that you do it well. (my variation of a saying by Gandhi)
Last edited: 23 October, 2011 - 13:31
You should send this info to Oliver Siiegle or someone else at IWC. Or hopefully they will read about it here. Having met you, I know you are passionate about the details in watches. And since you are living in Portugal your opinion should not be taken lightly.
Thanks for the explanation about the symbolism. I found it very interesting.
Last edited: 18 June, 2013 - 19:31
A flawless Portuguese would be a first :-)), and not even the Swiss, with their reputation for thoroughness and accuracy, were able to produce one. The era of the Descobrimentos was the apex the history of Portugal but, unfortunately, it has been downhill ever since.
I doubt IWC will be able to correct the mistake and add the armillary sphere. From what I was able to understand, IWC's design and production process is not very flexible and does not easily accommodate change. On the other hand, this error may render the watch more collectible, as is the case of misspellings in certain movements. Not to me. I do not intend acquiring this watch.
clepsydra
ad fontes...
Last edited: 30 October, 2011 - 22:05
Regards
Farjad
I was under the impression Schaffhausen monitored the forum on a regular basis. I recall that, occasionally IWC replied to, or commented on more technical issues, although I have not seen any such participation in a long time.
The error in the Portuguese shield is a matter of fact, and not of opinion, let alone my opinion. All IWC had to do to get the shield right was an internet search.
I must, however, entertain the possibility that this is exactly how IWC wanted to do it. It is only a watch after all. Much ado about nothing, all over again? :-))
I am in fact passionate about the details in watches, especially IWC's tool watches: Pilots, Ingenieurs and Aquatimers, which I think ought to remain true to their name, and not become expensive fashion watches at the expense of their fundamental characteristics.
clepsydra
ad fontes...
Last edited: 30 October, 2011 - 22:05