ZF Factory IWC Portugieser Chronograph: closed case back or transparent? Which one is more similar to the original?

The IWC Portugieser model is produced by ZF Factory with a solid stainless steel case, standard case diameter and 7750 automatic chronograph movement architecture. It is among the most successful 1:1 super clone watch reviews on the market, with its sapphire crystal AR coating glass, original case tolerances and detailed workmanship.

Case and Body Workmanship

But if you ask me whether I want to buy a replica watch, or a fake watch as it is popularly known, I would definitely and clearly say buy the one with a closed case back and not a transparent one. Because the original IWC's chronograph models have now largely switched to caliber 69355; This movement was developed from scratch, completely abandoning the previous 7750 structure, and its thickness is close to the old model. On the replica side, this function is fulfilled by the domestically produced 7750 chronograph that is still in use for those years. The problem is that the 7750's transparent back view is vastly different from that of the original; If it is worn directly, anyone with eyes will see that it is fake. Therefore, it can only be brought closer to the transparent back view of the original by passing a fake plate. For example, the picture below is after the plate is inserted. The clutch column at position 6 is actually just a decorative stick-on piece, it doesn't move at all; The gold gears are all for show, and the red stones are plastic. Two thousand-odd money is not little, after all, it is money; Do you think it's fun to buy such a toy? If you like to get caught up in the advertising texts of factories, consider that I said nothing. In addition to being fake, these plate-mounted mechanisms also have many problems; Most of the time, the fake bonded parts come off and slip between the gears of the real inner plate, causing malfunction. In addition to the high failure rate of transparent-backed fakes, the thickness also increases by at least 2 mm; This thickness is now at a level that can be felt even by hand, without the need for a measuring device. In such a situation, what is the point of buying a metal toy, installing it for the sake of a new model, and laughing at people outside? Buy the good old model and be done with it. When you look at it from the front, there is not much difference between them; The new version has changed the mechanism, but it is a real watch, it has nothing to do with a fake watch. 7750 is still 7750; The price of the closed case back version is also slightly more affordable. The old version already has eight or ten different color options, and it more than meets the combination needs. I hope that after reading this article you will have a basic idea about the Portugieser Chronograph and that you will not blindly get carried away by what others say. As for whether a factory will spend a lot of money in the future and have the movement manufacturer produce a Portugieser Chronograph movement with a real plate and a transparent back: I think it is most likely not. Because the original Portugieser Chronograph is a watch with a real sales price of forty thousand odd; I believe that if the fakes eventually exceed 4 thousand, many people will give up. Moreover, the audience that buys the fake Portugieser Chronograph is mostly middle class anyway; I think this crowd will still not open their wallets for a fake watch for four or five thousand. Moreover, both the popularity and prestige of the Portugieser Chronograph in the market are far behind the Daytona. That's why I think most likely no factory will undertake development in this direction; after all, market share isn't really at the forefront. Those who love Replica Portugieser Chronograph should buy the one with a good closed case back, the job is done.

Inside the closed case back is actually a custom 7750; The functions are all working perfectly, and after several years of fixes, the failure rate has also decreased. Thanks to this metal case back, the inside is not visible at all, in short, it is perfect!

I hope the articles will be useful to you. I will share more detailed teardown reviews, real shooting evaluations and real-replica comparisons in the future.