Bokey TimeHello everyone, I am Bokey. In this watch review, I will discuss the ZF Factory IWC Portuguese Chronograph Green Dial IW371615 with you. This green Portuguese Chronograph is a brand-new model officially launched by IWC in 2020. Previously, other major factories such as YL Factory and AZ Factory have also produced it, but many watch enthusiasts have been waiting for ZF Factory to release the green Portuguese Chronograph. Some may ask why wait for ZF Factory? Because ZF Factory is highly authoritative in producing the Portuguese Chronograph series, and its products are indeed excellent. Below, I will share the specific detailed craftsmanship of ZF Factory’s IWC Green Portuguese Chronograph and how to distinguish it from the green Portuguese Chronographs of AZ Factory and YL Factory, as the prices of these two factories’ versions differ by 200 yuan from ZF Factory’s.
Authentic parameters: IWC Portuguese Chronograph Series IW371615 Price: 64,500
ZF Factory Replica IWC Green Dial Portuguese Chronograph IW371615 Watch Review
In terms of overall appearance, the ZF Factory green Portuguese Chronograph uses a 41mm diameter case, just like the authentic model, with a dark green dial. Regarding color control, the ZF Factory green Portuguese Chronograph is slightly brighter than the authentic version, which features a deeper, more profound green. Of course, this color difference is minimal, and the ZF version is closer to the authentic model than other versions on the market. Moreover, it is difficult to detect without direct comparison with the authentic watch.
Viewed from multiple angles, the mirror features double-sided anti-reflective curved sapphire glass with a blue coating, offering overall transparency. The edge of the watch mirror has no white borders, which is consistent with the authentic model.
The sunburst pattern on the dial is also quite delicate, unlike the rough finish of other factories’ versions on the market.
ZF Factory Portuguese Chronograph green dial details: the 12 o’clock position features a chronograph minute sub-dial and a large chronograph seconds hand, both of which are accurately aligned, including the 60-minute scale on the inner bezel that also aligns with the dial scales. The 6 o’clock position houses a regular small seconds sub-dial, and both sub-dials are treated with CD patterns, forming delicate concentric circles.
The dial fonts are not significantly different from the authentic model, also using embossed printing for clarity and three-dimensionality. The 12 Arabic numerals are installed in an inlaid manner and polished with a mirror finish, appearing round and textured.
The hands are also willow-leaf shaped and highly polished. The ends of the minute hand and the large chronograph seconds hand are both bent downward. Many watch enthusiasts, upon receiving the ZF Factory Portuguese Chronograph or the authentic model, may wonder why the ends of the hands are bent—is it a flaw? Here, Bokey will explain: the reason for this design in the Portuguese Chronograph is that the edge of the sapphire crystal has a slight curvature. If the ends of the hands were straight, there would be a horizontal discrepancy when reading the time, making it difficult to see where the hand ends point. By bending the ends downward, the time can be clearly read. Similar designs can be found in other brands, such as Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Master Ultra Thin series, which all use this design. If you have an authentic watch with a curved sapphire crystal, you can check whether the ends of the hands are bent downward.
The case of the ZF Factory green Portuguese Chronograph is made of 316L stainless steel, with overall delicate brushing, and the case shape is consistent with the authentic new model, appearing relatively slender. In terms of thickness, ZF Factory maintains the authentic dimension of 13.1mm—the previous old solid caseback version was 12.3mm thick. As the official authentic model uses a new in-house movement, the thickness has increased slightly.
On the other side, the central part is the time-adjusting crown, with the chronograph start/pause button on the top and the chronograph reset button at the bottom. The reset button requires pressing pause first before resetting. Additionally, Bokey (23489689) advises watch enthusiasts to use the chronograph function sparingly.
How is the simulation degree of ZF Factory IWC Green Portuguese Chronograph IW371615?
The back follows the design of the authentic new model with a transparent caseback. The central mirror is also sapphire glass, surrounded by mirror polishing, with brand model information and other engravings that are relatively deep. The caseback is secured by four screws, and there are also four screws inside fixing the bezel, matching the authentic structure. (It should be briefly noted that the YL Factory green Portuguese Chronograph uses a 150th anniversary case, with “150 YEARS” engraved on the edge.)
In terms of the movement, the authentic model uses IWC’s in-house CAL.69355 movement, while ZF Factory employs a modified Dandong 7750 bridge movement. Overall, it can deceive some watch novices, but upon close inspection, the ZF Factory’s balance wheel is positioned at the 11 o’clock direction, whereas the authentic model’s is at the 7-8 o’clock direction, indicating a difference. This is why Bokey often tells watch enthusiasts that solid casebacks have fewer flaws than transparent caseback models.
The strap is made of black calf leather, slightly stiff in texture, with embossed alligator patterns on the front and brand information along with IWC’s new small crown embossed logo on the back. Additionally, watch enthusiasts with a sufficient budget can upgrade to an American alligator leather strap, which will make the overall texture closer to the authentic model and provide a more comfortable wearing experience than calf leather, being less rigid.
In terms of the clasp, the ZF Factory green Portuguese Chronograph adopts the same new folding clasp as the authentic model (other factory versions on the market use the old folding clasp). The ZF Factory’s clasp is well-crafted, with a clear IWC logo on the clasp head, brand information engraved on the inner side when opened, and a solid feel when opening and closing. (Another point to distinguish: the green Portuguese Chronograph from AZ Factory still uses the old folding clasp, which is single-sided, and this can directly identify whether it is the ZF Factory green Portuguese Chronograph.)
In summary, Bokey will first summarize the exterior craftsmanship of the ZF Factory green Portuguese Chronograph IW371615: overall, it is commendable. The advantage is that its craftsmanship is as excellent as the old solid caseback Portuguese Chronograph model. As for the disadvantages, there is a slight color difference in the dial and visible flaws in the movement’s appearance on the back. If you care more about the authenticity of the back, you can also choose ZF Factory’s solid caseback version of the Portuguese Chronograph. To distinguish the ZF Factory green Portuguese Chronograph, you can identify it by the clasp and caseback. For any unclear points, you can directly communicate with Bokey via WeChat: 23489689.
