Technical review of the IWC Portugieser Chrono Automatic, Ref. 3714
Foreword
This writeup is based on first hand experience servicing this model produced by IWC.
(Please note that this review, posted on a number of watch forums several years ago, was done when I
did not possess photo equipment with which step-by-step visual illustrations would more clearly
identify the elegance of this timepiece as well as the unique technical innovations of the movement in
this special chronograph model.)
First some basic information about IWC’s model 3714:
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Case
 Three part case held with screws, upper bezel, middle case, case back
 Rose gold, white gold, stainless steel, diameter 40.9 mm, height 12.45 mm
 Curved sapphire crystal, water resistant to 3 atm (30 meters/100 feet)
Strap
 stitched croco deluxe (high quality)
 steel deployment buckle with IWC logo on cover, well made—closes and opens with a solid snap
Dial
 Silver-plated, black (with white 2 sub dials) or ALL white, embossed Arabic numerals
 Upper case bezel has a track under the crystal indicating minute and 1/4 second divisions
 Two sub dials, upper = minute recorder counter, lower = small seconds hand
Hands
 Dauphine style
Functions
 hours
 minutes
 small secons (with stop hack)
 chrono minute recorder
 chrono sweep seconds recorder
Movement (IWC calibre C79240)
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mechanical self winding
28, 800 bph
31 jewels
44 hour power reserve
Nivarox spring
Glucydur balance
regulator with micro-precision screw
Remarks & Opinions
The movement, based on a Valjoux 7750, is decorated in familiar IWC style, is gilded, perlaged and
assembled with polished blue screws. What sets this (C79240) movement apart from all other basic
7750 chronographs is that it comes with neither the day or date calendar and does not have an hour
recorder. Thus the dial only has TWO sub dials, one on the top at the 12 o’clock, indicating a minute
recorder, and the lower sub dial at the 6 o’clock having a small seconds hand (which can be stopped by
pulling the crown outward.
In order to equip this movement with a small seconds hand, the technical engineers at IWC had to
improvise and develop an add-on module to transform the arrangement of having a small seconds hand
at the bottom at the six rather than at the 9 o’clock position. In place of where the hour recorder is
normally fixed to the movement at the 6 o’clock side, IWC cut out the base plate and added an inhouse made train bridge platform, sandwich style, containing three wheels with a tension spring which
engages with one of the regular train wheels.
It is a reduction system which further transmits the power from the mainspring to the normal train
wheels and finally to the small second hand. This is a unique IWC innovation to the otherwise regular
7750 movement configuration.
In addition, with no calendar system plate which normally would hold down some setting parts, the
engineers added a full plate cover with screws to keep those parts in their place.
The upper bezel is inconspicuously held tight to the middle case with four long screws underneath the
case back which in turn is held by four screws placed within flat recessed grooves. I have seen this
method also used by JLC, IWC’s sister company, on some of their models.
Although none of what I described should be seen as a challenge to a company which has
demonstrated far more exceptional capabilities with their Grand Complication and the Destriero,
nevertheless it is a reminder that IWC is constantly doing their own research and development, as well
as technical refinements large and small. Many of their different calibre movements undergo several
revisions before the master technicians are fully satisfied with the quality.
CONCLUSION
As a watchmaker having worked on many high grade brands over the years, I look at the top watch
manufacturers with a broader understanding of their expectations of delivering quality products. I don’t
focus on any single movement with scrutiny under a microscope as I am all too aware that one will see
endless imperfections and visual sights (on all high luxury brands) that might be disturbing. Instead, I
look at the overall construction of a watch and movement considering a complete evaluation of
aesthetics and performance in conjunction with what the manufacturer stands for.
I also take into consideration the REAL HISTORY of the company, their COMPLETE PRODUCT
LINE and the SERVICE SUPPORT they offer for their brand. This changes the overall picture when
judging any given timepiece because the results are totally different than when just concentrating on
one critical examination. As a result, one bad apple (if any) will not, in my opinion, change my overall
impressions of a recognized watch brand.
I believe that IWC, with a real history of over 125 continuous years, has perfectly demonstrated their
superb capabilities in bringing a wide range of innovative and technical improvements each year at
acceptable prices as they keep introducing new style timepieces.
Revised May 23, 2004
© 2004 by Jack Freedman