At what level is the ZF Factory IWC Portugieser Series 7 blue hour-minute hand replica watch? Can it be confused with the original?

The IWC Portugieser model is produced by ZF Factory with a solid 316L stainless steel case, 42 mm diameter and a high-precision automatic Super Clone 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.

The IWC Portugieser Series 7 can be considered ZF's masterpiece and has made a name for itself in the watch world for years. There are also many factories that produce it: ZF, YL, N and others. The IWC Portugieser automatic watch is a modern classic masterpiece of high-end watchmaking. Its simplicity, harmony and elegance are unique; It fascinates many watch enthusiasts. In 2015, the IW500705 model of the IWC Portugieser automatic watch attracted countless fans as soon as it was released. After working on it for a while, ZF also released the same model, the IW500705, which is so similar that it can be confused with the original. Today, we will introduce you to the seven-day power reserve model within ZF's most popular series, the Portugieser, in short, the Series 7. One of the biggest differences between this and the Portugieser chronograph is this: While the Series 7 uses a self-made Pellaton movement with a long power reserve of up to 7 days; The Portugieser chronograph model uses an improved ETA movement and has a power reserve of only 44 hours.

Friends who want to watch the comparative review can click on the link below:

Movement and Caliber Performance

ZF Factory IWC Portugieser series Series 7 IW500107 seven-day power reserve V5 version - comparative review with the original

The watch he brought for you in this section is the IWC Portugieser seven-day power reserve, which has been the "never wear out" model of the replica world for years, in short, Series 7. If we look at the original Series 7, the transparent case back has been changed many times. The first version, Series 7, was revised once by the manufacturer because it had a high failure rate; By 2016, the transparent case back was updated again, possibly improving stability by changing the spring box and gear settings. As a pioneer in the replica world, ZF Factory also worked meticulously to develop today's V5 version, Series 7. I think this is the final version; unless the original brand releases a redeveloped version.

First, let's look at the information and price of the original.

The IWC Portugieser Series 7 can be considered ZF's masterpiece and has made a name for itself in the watch world for years. There are also many factories that produce it: ZF, YL, N and others. The IWC Portugieser automatic watch is a modern classic masterpiece of high-end watchmaking. Its simplicity, harmony and elegance are unique; It fascinates many watch enthusiasts. In 2015, the IW500705 model of the IWC Portugieser automatic watch attracted countless fans as soon as it was released. After working on it for a while, ZF also released the same model, the IW500705, which is so similar that it can be confused with the original. One of the biggest differences of this Series 7 from the Portugieser chronograph is this: While the Series 7 uses a self-made Pellaton movement with a long power reserve of up to 7 days; The Portugieser chronograph model uses an improved ETA movement and has a power reserve of only 44 hours.

Now let's look at the workmanship details, material, accessories and mechanism of ZF Factory's Series 7 in reality.

You can clearly see the various color options of the ZF IWC Series 7 in the high-resolution photos above. Currently, the replica industry is in a mess; Many sellers advertise everywhere using high-resolution large factory photos, but the goods they send to the customer turn out to be small workshop work, and that is why many watch enthusiasts who are new to this business are deceived. Replica watches also have various qualities; The same model is produced by different factories. Watch enthusiasts who come across unscrupulous sellers and who do not understand the workmanship are completely confused and buy it. That's why he transparently calls on all watch enthusiasts to buy a watch and not fall into the trap and go astray! The current top version of the Series 7 is from ZF; It can be said that it is indistinguishable from the original. It's enough to see how close and indistinguishable ZF has come to the original; It's hard to distinguish reality from replica! Therefore, when buying the Series 7, be sure to choose the ZF V5 top version; It is the one most similar to the original.

Dial and Hand Details

Here, we mainly examine this most popular model with a white dial and blue hour and minute hands. Let's look at the front side first; The color harmony of the watch is extremely neat, clean and elegant. The hour and minute hands of the ZF IWC Portugieser are always made of blue annealed steel; ZF's hour and minute hands and hour markers are rounded like the original. On the dial of the watch, the simple white background combines with the cold and noble blue Arabic numeral markings, giving the watch an even more noble atmosphere. The hour and minute hands are located in the middle of the dial; There are two small dials at 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock: one is the power reserve indicator, the other is the small seconds dial. Many watch enthusiasts who are not familiar with the Series 7 think that the power reserve indicator at 3 o'clock is a day display function and often wonder how to set it.

In fact, this power reserve indicator automatically rises when you put the watch on your wrist; It falls off automatically when you don't wear it. You can also top up the energy manually by winding; While winding, you will notice that the needle on the power reserve indicator also moves.

The dial is generally white. Two problems found in several previous versions have been corrected, leaving no color difference with the original; The dial color is extremely stylish. There are rail-shaped minute markers on the outermost ring of the dial, which is quite characteristic. Further inside, there are Arabic numeral hour markers; The markers are inlaid into the white dial and their surfaces are polished, giving a distinct sense of depth. The 12 Arabic numeral signs are made with a relief technique (engraved at 180 degrees), which gives them a round, full, smooth and flowing appearance.

There is a power reserve indicator at 3 o'clock; The red paint on the display indicates the energy status. There is a small seconds dial at 9 o'clock; The interior is decorated with concentric ring patterns. There is a date window at 6 o'clock; The window is chamfered and is identical to the original. The hour and minute hands are located in the middle of the dial; smooth, full and extremely shiny. The rhodium plating process expertly applied by ZF Factory has been added to the willow leaf-shaped hour and minute hands; In this way, it can maintain its shine and elegance for the longest time. There is the IWC brand logo below the 12 o'clock position.

Glass and Sapphire Crystal

The glass of the Series 7 is made of sapphire crystal and has a blue anti-reflective coating applied to it; You can see a blue glow when the light reflects. Like most IWC watches, the ZF IWC Series 7 IW500710 teal dial replica version uses a double-sided, light blue, high-transparency anti-reflective coating; This is not a difficult task for ZF, which has approximately 20 original IWCs on hand. The function of the coating is to change the light transmittance of the glass; The aim is to make the glass surface clearer and enable you to look at the watch comfortably and clearly.

When viewed from the side, the screw-down crown is visible; This increases waterproofness. The brand logo is engraved on the end surface of the crown, and there are tooth patterns on the side surface; It both facilitates adjustment and prevents slipping. Ears slightly turned outward; It gives a highly aesthetic and three-dimensional appearance.

This is an IWC Series 7 with a blue dial. Made of stainless steel, this model has a case diameter of 42 mm; Even though it is a little big, it does not cause any problems when installed. The bezel is round and plump, polished to a high shine. The junction of the ears and the bezel is smooth; There are no sharp protrusions and this provides comfort while wearing it. ZF's Series 7 V5 version has reached a certain technical level after being repeatedly updated and corrected; Its thickness is the same as the original, the polishing work of the case is almost perfect, the glass has a certain curve. Unlike the previous Portugieser chronograph, the body of the Series 7 is assembled in three parts: the bezel ring, middle case and case back. The case is made of 316L stainless steel; The side surface has undergone a fine brushing process, so that even small scratches are beautifully hidden.

Strap, Buckle and Comfort

The strap of the ZF IWC Series 7 is made of calfskin; A bamboo knuckle pattern is printed on the strap surface, making it one step closer to the original. The buckle is also designed with the same care; Both the appearance design and brushing details are processed extremely perfectly and the same workmanship is used as the original. It can be replaced with crocodile leather on high-end special order.

Case and Body Workmanship

A bold transparent design was chosen on the back of the case; The mechanism is fully visible. The transparency of the sapphire glass surface is unrivaled. The ZF IWC Series 7 V5 version uses the original's modified 51011 automatic mechanical movement; The basic mechanism is the Dandong mechanism. The mechanism bridges are embroidered with fish scale and Geneva wave patterns, and the perlage workmanship is particularly elegant. This movement reaches a power reserve of 4.5 days and its performance is extremely stable. There is no obvious difference between the back of the mechanism and the original.

Real shot, view photos on wrist

Now let's look at the disassembled detail work.

The first impression this IWC Series 7 gives is that it is majestic. Combined with its assertive dial, blue sword hour-minute hands and blue calfskin strap, the watch looks both modest and luxurious. One is amazed by his two eyes; simple but elegant. The sapphire glass carries a slight blue glow; It combines with the blue strap and the blue-tinged tone of the hour-minute hands to form a single whole. The real power reserve indicator in the right eye allows you to control the energy yourself; Just like you can manage the gears yourself in a good car. The small seconds in the left eye changes the classical three-hand layout we are used to; The small seconds design at 9 o'clock greatly increases the sporty and stylish atmosphere of the watch.

ZF Series 7 uses Cal.51011 automatic mechanical movement. The mechanism bridges are embroidered with fish scale and Geneva wave patterns, and the perlage workmanship is particularly elegant. When you look carefully, ruby ​​stones and gilded inscriptions on the bridges also stand out. This movement has increased the power reserve of a self-winding movement to 4.5 days and is extremely stable.

Wave patterns are thinner and more frequent; The number of rings is also quite close. There is almost no difference visible compared to the original mechanism.

The workmanship of the date window is fine and exactly the same as the original; It has a very three-dimensional appearance.

The hour and minute hands are made of blue annealed steel, the same as the original; It gives different brightness in different lights. A perfect replica; interchangeable with the original.

The movement's precisely crafted Geneva patterns are exactly the same as the original.

The printing of the logo is extremely clear and three-dimensional; Its color, size and workmanship are perfect, it is exactly the same as the original.

Same as the original, deep colored pigeon blood ruby was used; The brushing workmanship of the mechanism is also extremely fine.

That's all the review and explanation in this section. IWC Series 7 is worth buying; It gives an elegant feeling when worn.

If you read the article to the end, I hope this article was useful to you. Interested watch friends should not forget to follow. We will share more detailed reviews in the coming days.