Industry Challenges and Recovery
While 2021 was anticipated to be a prosperous year for watchmakers, the first quarter proved tumultuous. Many watch factories faced unprecedented raids, leading to long shutdowns. For instance, Noob remains inactive. However, good news has emerged as XF, V6, and VS factories have announced plans to resume operations and are currently taking orders, although there may be delays in shipping.
Leading Players in the Market
During these challenging times, only a few prominent factories, including ZF, EW, PF, and PPF, continued accepting orders. Among these, ZF stands out as a leader. The IWC Portuguese replicas presented here are crafted by ZF, known for producing superior replicas compared to their main competitor, YLF, where there is a noticeable quality gap.
Design and Options
ZF has introduced three new Portuguese models: one with a white dial and blue markers, another with a blue dial, and a third with a white dial and golden markers. Personally, the blue dial paired with a black leather strap is quite appealing. These models offer a more straightforward design compared to the Portuguese 7 Days Power Reserve, and they come at a more affordable price, making them an attractive choice for those who prefer minimalist IWC aesthetics.
Craftsmanship and Movement
The craftsmanship of the new Portuguese models is outstanding, as seen in the photos. ZF is a significant player in the industry, and their case finish is top-notch. Their work on AP 15400 replicas competes directly with the esteemed J12 factory, which is renowned for its meticulous case finishing. If ZF can rival J12 in this aspect, their effort in case finishing for the Portuguese models is commendable.
The movement, visible through the sapphire case back, is a standard automatic type with some enhancements on the rotor and plates to mimic the IWC 82200 Calibre. While custom-made, it does not match the aesthetic or authenticity of the movement in the Portuguese 7 Days Power Reserve. Nevertheless, both movements originate from ZF, with the latter offering a closer resemblance to the original.
