Bokey TimeHello everyone, I am Bokey. Today, I will talk about the ZF factory’s V2 version of Portuguese Chronograph. A previous authenticity comparison was done for this Portuguese Chronograph with blue hands. Friends who are interested can browse the “Authenticity Comparison” column on the website. As for why another review is being done today? Recently, many watch enthusiasts have been asking about the version issues and some details of this Portuguese Chronograph. Therefore, a more comprehensive review is done again. First, let’s briefly talk about the manufacturers currently making this IWC Portuguese Chronograph replica watch. Top factories such as YL factory, 3A factory, ZF factory, and TG factory are making it. Even N factory has launched the IWC Portuguese Chronograph. But currently, for the genuine new model, the best version in the replica market is undoubtedly the V2 ultimate version Portuguese Chronograph produced by the ZF factory, which is also the star product of the ZF factory! Of course, if you want to buy the official old version, model IW371417, then Bokey recommends YL factory. In the Portuguese Chronograph product line, the Portuguese Chronograph of YL factory and ZF factory are on par. YL corresponds to the genuine old model IW371417, while ZF corresponds to the genuine new model IW371446. The thickness of both factories is synchronized with the genuine one at 12.3 millimeters. Now let’s introduce in detail the specific upgrades of the ZF factory’s v2 Portuguese Chronograph.
First, let’s take a look at the genuine parameters: IWC Portuguese series IW371446 watch (Portuguese Chronograph with blue hands), price 58700.
How is the ZF factory’s IWC Portuguese Chronograph?
In terms of the front appearance, the dial size ratio is the same as the genuine one. Upon careful observation, it can be found that due to the thinner movement, the height of the inner circle of the dial is consistent with the genuine one. This is unattainable by all previous versions and can also be used as one of the bases to distinguish the ultra-thin Portuguese Chronograph from other versions. The revised ZF factory’s IWC Portuguese Chronograph has won the favor of many people with its ultra-thinness. I believe this is also the reason why the genuine Portuguese Chronograph is loved by many watch enthusiasts in addition to its own reputation.
For the dial, silver plating process is used. The silver dial is matched with burnt steel blue willow-leaf-shaped hands, which are crisp and neat.
In the light, the burnt steel blue hands are sometimes black and sometimes blue, very textured. The chronograph large second hand and the regular minute hand of the ZF Portuguese Chronograph are both curved downward and stretched along the edge of the mirror. This is also one of the details synchronized with the genuine one.
The sapphire mirror material is treated with double anti-glare blue film, very clear, and its transparency is not inferior to the genuine one at all. Here is a brief note. Most of IWC’s watch models have anti-glare blue film treatment. This coating process is currently more widely used in the eyewear industry, mainly to increase transparency.
Will the ZF Portuguese Chronograph be obviously fake at a glance? How is the workmanship specifically?
In terms of the digital scale, some minor upgrades have been made. It doesn’t have the feeling of being cut off in one stroke as in the previous old version. The edges of the numbers in the new version are polished very smoothly and have high reflectivity!
The font printing is relatively neat and oily.
Is the reflection of the small dials of the ZF Portuguese Chronograph obviously fake at a glance?
Let’s take a look at the two small dials on the top and bottom. As we all know, the two small dials of the old version have very serious reflection and the CD pattern is also relatively rough. This time, the ZF factory has also made upgrades and improvements. The CD pattern of the two small dials has been made more delicate, eliminating the obviously fake phenomenon.
The reset of the chronograph large second hand and the chronograph minute hand is also relatively accurate.
What’s the difference between the v1 and v2 versions of the ZF IWC Portuguese Chronograph?
The overall diameter of the watch is 40.9 millimeters, the thickness is 12.3 millimeters, and the weight is 81 grams. This thickness is also a major breakthrough of the ZF factory’s IWC Portuguese Chronograph V2 ultimate version. As watch enthusiasts who have bought the Portuguese Chronograph before know, the old version of the ZF factory’s V1 had a thicker body due to movement limitations, which was a flaw of the Portuguese Chronograph. After measurement, the size of the ZF factory’s Portuguese Chronograph V2 ultimate version is consistent with the genuine one.
ZF Factory V2 Ultimate Edition Portugieser Chronograph Weight – On-Site Photos by Bokey
The watch case is made of 316L stainless steel. This watch case is not one-piece. Like the genuine one, ZF uses a three-piece installation design scheme, which consists of the bezel, middle case, and back cover for installation. Unlike the one-piece press installation of the previous old version. This directly solves the problem of gaps due to improper pressing. The middle case uses a brushed process with uniform and fine brushed lines. The bezel is polished and very bright.
Are there any flaws in the v2 version of the ZF Portuguese Chronograph?
The crown and two chronograph buttons on the right side have been corrected. The crown in the middle is slightly higher than the chronograph buttons on both sides. Previously, some watch enthusiasts used a small trick to distinguish between genuine and fake versions. That is, to judge based on whether the two buttons on the left and right and the crown in the middle are on the same horizontal line. But now this method is useless for the ZF factory’s Portuguese Chronograph V2 ultimate version. The engraving on the crown of the ZF factory uses the relief process like the genuine one. The crown pattern of the ZF factory is a little larger than the genuine one, but this part is still very difficult to detect unless it is compared with the genuine one one by one.
The back cover is made of stainless steel. The middle part is brushed and the edges are polished. The brushed part has clear and regular textures. The polished part is engraved with watch serial numbers and other fonts. The size and strength of the fonts are just right, deep and powerful. Since it is a non-transparent back style, the back cover needs to be unscrewed to see the movement.
What movement does the ZF factory’s Portuguese Chronograph have?
After removing the four screws on the back cover, we can see that the ZF factory’s IWC Portuguese Chronograph V2 ultimate version uses the customized 7750 movement from a Dandong factory. Some watch dealers also call it the self-produced “A75390” movement. This movement achieves the purpose of reducing thickness by removing the chronograph hour hand module through modification. In addition, removing the chronograph hour hand module also greatly reduces the problem of malfunctions caused by chronographing. In the previous replica market, this replica watch of IWC Portuguese Chronograph all used the Shanghai 7750 movement. Although it realizes all the functions of the genuine one, it has a fatal flaw, that is, the movement thickness is about 2mm thicker than the genuine one and it is very prone to quality problems. This time, the ZF factory uses the customized 7750 movement from a Dandong factory, completely solving these two problems and greatly improving stability. According to my personal sales experience, the repair rate of this watch is about 2%, that is, about 2 out of every 100 need repair.
There are no other engraved logos on the movement and the automatic rotor. So this is a customized version of 7750, not a self-produced A75390. Through the pictures, we can see that the structure is the same as the unmodified 7750 movement. The main change is still in the chronograph hour hand module on the front of the movement. Here, it will not be disassembled for everyone to see as it is relatively time-consuming and laborious. This is also the key component that determines the ZF Portuguese Chronograph V2 upgraded version. Only when the movement size is consistent with the genuine one can the corresponding size shell be made.
There are also engravings on the inside of the back cover. The ZF factory also carefully replicates in places that cannot be seen. This must be praised!
The strap is made of cowhide material and is available in dark blue and black. Watch enthusiasts who pursue perfection can contact Bokey to purchase and replace it with a crocodile leather strap. As for the color, the genuine one is also available in dark blue and black. Just choose according to personal preference.
The buckle has a high degree of restoration. This V2 version has upgraded the process again, greatly enhancing the polishing and brushing inside and outside the buckle. In terms of engraving, the “IWC” on the ZF factory’s watch is a little thicker than the genuine one. The “IWC” and English letters on the inner buckle are all made by relief process (Note: the yellow part is the protective film), while the small factory version is laser etched. Through this point, it can be directly distinguished whether it is a ZF factory’s Portuguese Chronograph. Of course, it is also necessary to comprehensively compare some of the details mentioned above!
Is there a V3 version of the ZF factory’s IWC Portuguese Chronograph?
Answer: Currently, the latest version of the ZF Portuguese Chronograph is the V2 ultimate version. This version was also upgraded by the ZF factory in 2017. The manufacturer has also given the answer in the promotional copy – “ZF factory’s V2 ultimate version Portuguese Chronograph”. Then why do many merchants in the market say there is a v3 version? In fact, this is a marketing method out of nothing. It is to earn traffic and sell products better. This is the same as saying there is a v6 version of the ZF factory’s Portuguese Seven. No matter what version you buy, as long as it is the latest ZF factory’s Portuguese Chronograph, then it is the v2 ultimate version.
Here are the models of the ZF Factory IWC Portugieser Chronograph series.
Summary: Based on the above detailed upgrades, the ZF factory’s V2 ultimate version Portuguese Chronograph is already a very worthy replica watch. The previous hard injury of being “obviously fake at a glance” no longer exists. If it is paired with a crocodile leather strap, then it will be even less stressful to “enter the official counter”.
