185 Discussions and CommentsMember since Dec. 17, 2001
Greetings to my old IWC friends,
Ten years ago, I started collecting watches. IWC quickly became my brand of choice. My first IWC was the GST Perpetual Calendar in stainless with rhodium dial, purchased in December 2001 from a great retailer in Chicago. I had just made partner in my law firm, and it was literally the first time in my life when I had a bit of disposable cash to make a discretionary purchase. It is still in my collection and I love it.
Of course, after I took the first plunge, watch collecting then became a healthy (or unhealthy if you ask my wife) addiction. What I described in the preceding paragraph as a discretionary purchase turned into a want and, I rationalized, a need. I needed more IWC's!
For my next addition, I wanted to buy something a bit dressier and more staid than the GST. I read MF's great post on another website about two IWC holy grails, described as pocket wristwatches due to their then enormously large diameter (42 and 46 mm, respectively), the Jubilee Portuguese and the Portofino moonphase Ref. 5251.
Upon reviewing this article, I very quickly became obsessed with the 5441, a limited edition homage manufactured in 1993 as an homage to the original Portuguese models from the 1940's. Up until that moment, every dress watch I encountered had a diameter of around 35mm max, which after seeing the 5441 just seemed downright puny.
I found a fellow collector on the East Coast who was willing to part with a rose gold version, as he had found a complete set in the three metals offered, namely stainless (1,000 pieces), rose gold (500) and platinum (250). The first 125 of each metal were sold in sets of three watches in a beautiful wooden collectors' box. My friend in Virginia was kind enough to include the beautiful wooden display box that the set came with. When I opened up that box upon its arrival, I felt like a little kid by the Christmas tree who just received the best gift ever.
I cherished that watch, but a few years later I had a hankering to acquire a stainless steel version, for I loved the contrast between the stainless case and the gold applied numerals. At that time, I unfortunately could not afford to buy another 5441 and keep the gold version, so I reluctantly sold the rose and acquired a beautiful stainless version sourced in Europe. BTW, am I the only one, or do you find that often, the chase in trying to locate a grail is almost as much fun as owning it?
Over the ensuing years my IWC collection grew, as did my many acquaintances who were also IWC aficionados, including, of course, MF, Dick Liebsen (whichwatch), Dave Ter Molen and many others. I am still proud and honored to call these fine gentlemen (and ladies) my friends. I was lucky enough during this period to acquire the other holy grail that had been on my most wanted list for so long, the 5251.
In January 2009, IWC invited me to a collectors' meeting in Schaffhausen. This was the first time, I believe, that IWC announced its novelties prior to the SIHH show. The Aquatimer was the predominant product line displayed at this event. I met many more collectors at this wonderful gathering of collectors, literally from all over the world. It was a great bonding experience and a chance to realize that there were many other WIS's (Watch Idiot Savants) out there besides the few collectors I knew personally in the Midwest region of the U.S.
About a year ago, I had the opportunity to acquire a full set of 5441's in Europe. I quickly jumped on the chance to realize my ultimate pursuit - the chance to acquire a full set of Jubilee Portuguese 5441's like my friend in Virginia had acquired ten years before when he was kind enough to sell me his rose gold example. Better yet, the set consisted of brand new, unworn examples! I had the entire set serviced at IWC in Schaffhausen, even though they were brand new, as by this time the watches were 17 years old and I figured they probably needed a bit of tender loving care before I took possession.
Since I was fortunate enough to acquire an entire set of 5441's, I sold my stainless piece to another great guy from Philadelphia, which happens to be my home town. I understand that this collector cherishes his 5441 as much as I have always cherished this model.
In concluding this too lengthy post, the 5441 has always been my favorite IWC and, indeed, my favorite watch. This includes some very prominent Swiss and German brands which are typified as perhaps more prestigious than IWC. But this watch IMHO tops them all.
I promised my IWC friends to post some photos when I received the set, but I have been so busy at work over the past several months that I never got around to taking photos until today.
I can say without hesitation to my colleagues out there in IWC-land that if you have not seen this watch in the flesh, please try to do so. I guarantee if you do, you will instantly get the IWC/5441 fever just like I did so many years ago.
So, without further adieu, here is my holiest of grails in the horological world. Enjoy the photos!
5,027 Discussions and CommentsMember since Aug. 9, 2006
An amazing story and acquisition, Rob. It was a pleasure to meet you in Schaffhausen a couple of years ago. I remember our pizza dinner in the Alt Stadt of Schaffhausen. You are a very lucky person to own the set. Wear them in good health.
185 Discussions and CommentsMember since Dec. 17, 2001
Thank you, Bill. I remember some very fun times spent together in Schaffhausen a few years back! It seems like you, Alan and others had a great time again this year at SIHH. Sorry I missed you! Hope to join you next year.
1,888 Discussions and CommentsMember since June 13, 2001Mansfield,Notts,
United Kingdom
Great Collection Rob ....well done
The finding of Holy Grails <u>is </u>addictive. I love to read , and get a great deal of pleasure when one of our collectors here nets a beauty e.g. Dick and his recent acquisition of the PISA Portugueser for example.
I hope your select three gives you great pleasure and service in the years to come.
1,870 Discussions and CommentsMember since Oct. 28, 2002
great story Rob. Congrats on the set, very nice. As you say, the quest to find a good piece can be good fun and brings a lot of excitement. For most of the collectors very recognizable ( allthough not all of us get the Jubliee set ;) ).
2,129 Discussions and CommentsMember since March 22, 2001
Very nice story, Rob. I'm glad to read your post, and see a bit of myself in your desire to find wonderful pieces.
Of course no one will ever know for sure, but I wonder just how many of these 125 original sets are still surviving complete. I would venture to suggest is is less than 75 of them- just a guess of course, but I know of many sets that were broken up! Maybe less than 50.
5,022 Discussions and CommentsMember since May 29, 2003Sarasota, FL,
United States
Rob, I know how busy you are and am glad you finally had time to post these great pics of your triplets. The fact that they were brand new makes it even a better acquisition. I wonder if the factory outlined what service was performed. I assume it was just oiling and overhaul as if the watches were in for a normal service. I hope you are wearing these pieces on a regular basis and not just relegating them to a safe. Congrats on your collection. I'll see it this summer.
Ten years ago, I started collecting watches. IWC quickly became my brand of choice. My first IWC was the GST Perpetual Calendar in stainless with rhodium dial, purchased in December 2001 from a great retailer in Chicago. I had just made partner in my law firm, and it was literally the first time in my life when I had a bit of disposable cash to make a discretionary purchase. It is still in my collection and I love it.
Of course, after I took the first plunge, watch collecting then became a healthy (or unhealthy if you ask my wife) addiction. What I described in the preceding paragraph as a discretionary purchase turned into a want and, I rationalized, a need. I needed more IWC's!
For my next addition, I wanted to buy something a bit dressier and more staid than the GST. I read MF's great post on another website about two IWC holy grails, described as pocket wristwatches due to their then enormously large diameter (42 and 46 mm, respectively), the Jubilee Portuguese and the Portofino moonphase Ref. 5251.
Upon reviewing this article, I very quickly became obsessed with the 5441, a limited edition homage manufactured in 1993 as an homage to the original Portuguese models from the 1940's. Up until that moment, every dress watch I encountered had a diameter of around 35mm max, which after seeing the 5441 just seemed downright puny.
I found a fellow collector on the East Coast who was willing to part with a rose gold version, as he had found a complete set in the three metals offered, namely stainless (1,000 pieces), rose gold (500) and platinum (250). The first 125 of each metal were sold in sets of three watches in a beautiful wooden collectors' box. My friend in Virginia was kind enough to include the beautiful wooden display box that the set came with. When I opened up that box upon its arrival, I felt like a little kid by the Christmas tree who just received the best gift ever.
I cherished that watch, but a few years later I had a hankering to acquire a stainless steel version, for I loved the contrast between the stainless case and the gold applied numerals. At that time, I unfortunately could not afford to buy another 5441 and keep the gold version, so I reluctantly sold the rose and acquired a beautiful stainless version sourced in Europe. BTW, am I the only one, or do you find that often, the chase in trying to locate a grail is almost as much fun as owning it?
Over the ensuing years my IWC collection grew, as did my many acquaintances who were also IWC aficionados, including, of course, MF, Dick Liebsen (whichwatch), Dave Ter Molen and many others. I am still proud and honored to call these fine gentlemen (and ladies) my friends. I was lucky enough during this period to acquire the other holy grail that had been on my most wanted list for so long, the 5251.
In January 2009, IWC invited me to a collectors' meeting in Schaffhausen. This was the first time, I believe, that IWC announced its novelties prior to the SIHH show. The Aquatimer was the predominant product line displayed at this event. I met many more collectors at this wonderful gathering of collectors, literally from all over the world. It was a great bonding experience and a chance to realize that there were many other WIS's (Watch Idiot Savants) out there besides the few collectors I knew personally in the Midwest region of the U.S.
About a year ago, I had the opportunity to acquire a full set of 5441's in Europe. I quickly jumped on the chance to realize my ultimate pursuit - the chance to acquire a full set of Jubilee Portuguese 5441's like my friend in Virginia had acquired ten years before when he was kind enough to sell me his rose gold example. Better yet, the set consisted of brand new, unworn examples! I had the entire set serviced at IWC in Schaffhausen, even though they were brand new, as by this time the watches were 17 years old and I figured they probably needed a bit of tender loving care before I took possession.
Since I was fortunate enough to acquire an entire set of 5441's, I sold my stainless piece to another great guy from Philadelphia, which happens to be my home town. I understand that this collector cherishes his 5441 as much as I have always cherished this model.
In concluding this too lengthy post, the 5441 has always been my favorite IWC and, indeed, my favorite watch. This includes some very prominent Swiss and German brands which are typified as perhaps more prestigious than IWC. But this watch IMHO tops them all.
I promised my IWC friends to post some photos when I received the set, but I have been so busy at work over the past several months that I never got around to taking photos until today.
I can say without hesitation to my colleagues out there in IWC-land that if you have not seen this watch in the flesh, please try to do so. I guarantee if you do, you will instantly get the IWC/5441 fever just like I did so many years ago.
So, without further adieu, here is my holiest of grails in the horological world. Enjoy the photos!
Best,
RDS in Chicago
Bill
Bill
Last edited: 23 June, 2012 - 20:15
Safe travels,
Rob
Cheers,
sc
scfong722@gmail.com
Absorbing story and great watches, it really has sense to collect the three of them - imo.
Congratulations and thank you for posting!
Regards,
Roberto
Last edited: 11 January, 2013 - 11:07
It was great meeting you in Schaffhausen.
Hope to see you more often on the Forum.
Best regards
Argiris
Last edited: 29 October, 2011 - 21:11
The finding of Holy Grails <u>is </u>addictive. I love to read , and get a great deal of pleasure when one of our collectors here nets a beauty e.g. Dick and his recent acquisition of the PISA Portugueser for example.
I hope your select three gives you great pleasure and service in the years to come.
Regards
Ivan
iwcforme
iwcforme@aol.com
Last edited: 11 December, 2012 - 13:27
Congrats on the set, very nice. As you say, the quest to find a good piece can be good fun and brings a lot of excitement. For most of the collectors very recognizable ( allthough not all of us get the Jubliee set ;) ).
tonny.berteloot@pandora.be
Of course no one will ever know for sure, but I wonder just how many of these 125 original sets are still surviving complete. I would venture to suggest is is less than 75 of them- just a guess of course, but I know of many sets that were broken up! Maybe less than 50.
Nelson
Last edited: 15 February, 2011 - 20:21
I know how busy you are and am glad you finally had time to post these great pics of your triplets. The fact that they were brand new makes it even a better acquisition. I wonder if the factory outlined what service was performed. I assume it was just oiling and overhaul as if the watches were in for a normal service.
I hope you are wearing these pieces on a regular basis and not just relegating them to a safe.
Congrats on your collection. I'll see it this summer.
Last edited: 8 November, 2012 - 12:49