Long-term Choice - IWC Portugieser Blue Horizon

The IWC Portugieser Blue Horizon watch features an overall blue hue, with an ice-blue dial that has been a popular color for spring and summer in recent years, its cool hue visually refreshing. Unlike most ice-blue dials that strive for transparency, this watch has meticulously crafted its dial. The brass baseplate is finished with a sunburst brush, then coated with blue paint, dried, and then polished with transparent resin—a total of 15 layers—to achieve its exquisite luster www.captainthewatch.is.

The small seconds sub-dial at 6 o'clock continues the overall refined feel, with fine record-like textures surrounding the white markers, echoing the railway track on the main dial, showcasing subtle craftsmanship within its simplicity. IWC's signature leaf-shaped hands and applied hour markers replicate the classic design language of vintage Portuguese watches, exuding retro elegance while maximizing the watch's recognizability.

With a 40.4mm case diameter and 12.4mm thickness, this is considered a golden size for a dress watch, fitting the wrists of most Asian men without feeling heavy. It's also comfortable enough to wear without worrying about it getting stuck in your sleeves. The crown and buckle are both made of 18K gold, enhancing not only the grip and feel but also reinforcing the watch's high-end attributes.

IWC's 82200 automatic movement is one of IWC's mainstay movements. It oscillates 28,800 times per hour and has a 60-hour power reserve. Through the see-through case back, we can see IWC's "woodpecker" winding mechanism and the black ceramic winding gears. The Geneva stripes on the upper plate and the perlage finish on the lower plate are both beautifully done. The skeletonized rotor is engraved with a gold IWC logo, making the movement overall quite aesthetically pleasing.