Finally a boat themed watch that people will be comfortable using on a boat. Since its inception long ago, the IWC Portuguese watch was meant as a nautical companion. As its popularity and luxury level grew, so did people's reluctance to subject their beautiful IWC Portuguese watches to the elements. For for 2010 Replica IWC Watches has released a more sporty, but no less luxurious form of the Portuguese watch known and the Yacht Club Chronograph. It is instantly recognizable as a Portuguese but clearly has a nice sporty elegance to it. Not aggressive in anyway, but tastefully functional - exactly the reason people prefer Portuguese watches. Differences between the standard Portuguese watches and the Yacht Club are subtle, but apparently. Notably are the colorations on the dial, the luminant on the hands, and of course the rubber straps. The case has also been beefed up a bit and there are now crown guards and redesigned chronograph pushers. Case size is 45.4mm wide (about 14.5mm thick) and it is water resistant to 60 meters.

Inside the watch is a really fantastic IWC in-house made movement. It is the caliber 89360 automatic (with a healthy 68 hours of power reserve) which is viewable through the caseback window. The automatic rotor is signature IWC in style and nicely engraved. Overall the movement finish and decoration is really nice for such a sporty watch - this aspect of the watch does not let down. The movement has a little aspect to it on the dial that is really easy to miss. Instead of the classic IWC Portuguese watches that have 30 minute chronographs, the Yacht Club has a 12 hour chronograph. The top subdial actually has two hands (one is hidden underneath the other while the chronograph is not in use). Thus, the same subdial has a ring for counting the minutes (60 total), and a smaller ring with a separate hand for the hours. See what I mean now when you look closely? This really ups the utility of the watch. The movement also has a date indicator that most Portuguese watches do not.

Dial design is really superb. The Portuguese style isn't what one would call exciting, but is excels in function and grace. Applied Arabic hour numerals and each conceivable marker ring give you all the information you need, without anything you don't. For example on the chapter ring flange Replica IWC Watches could have placed a useless tachymeter, but did not. Instead is a useful counter for the seconds and minutes. Hands are classic in style and all the right length. The chronograph centrally mounted seconds hand is a sporty red and easy to see. Don't forget the useful addition of the lume on the hour and minutes hands as well as for the hour indexes behind the numbered hour indicators. Also note that Replica IWC Watches matched the color of the date disc to the dial color.

The Portuguese Yacht Club watch comes in two steel versions and one in rose gold. The steel versions have a white or slate colored dial, while the rose gold version comes in slate. The little details all over as well as the movement decoration engraving on the crown, and of course the sporty style are things that will appeal to most every fan of Replica IWC Watches Portuguese watch as well as newcomers to the collection. Really a hit for SIHH 2010, I see this as being a new long standing addition to the collection. Maybe they will have one with a metal bracelet in the future. That will be interesting. Price is $12,600 in steel and $23,100 in rose gold. Available now or really soon.

I see one advantage to this watch really. You get that look of a classic aviator with the Burberry name - if that tickles you the right way. Burberry is a pretty good brand that sorta went over-the-top like Louis Vuitton. Not sure when it was, but at some point Louis Vuitton just went nuts with the "monogram" showing up on everything from change purses and shoes, to probably shower caps. Burberry is on their way there, but with plaid - so much plaid. But as far as hideous plaid goes, at least the Burberry stuff looks good. I'd settle for a nice Burberry overcoat with all the plaid on the inside.

Look closely and you'll see lots of little things that take this aviator style watch into a new direction. It looks different on many angles. This includes the curved lugs, different font used for the hour indicators, and the crown that is actually decently rendered. Then you have that wrap and wrap again strap that isn't at all aviator, but really fashion oriented. Though isn't that the point of this watch altogether? I admit that placed on the right ensemble, this timepiece would look grand. Nicely proportioned with good color tones, and a handsome look. Dedicated aviator watch enthusiasts might gall at the thematic rape, but they would be wasting their breath complaining on a runway watch like this.

The watch case isn't too big at 40mm wide and it is in steel with a PVD coating (glad it isn't IP), which means it will have a nice finish. What really keeps me from being able to give it a fashionable blessing is the mineral crystal and high price. See at $495, I just can't site well with such a basic use of a quartz movement, and a lack of sapphire crystal. That and only 30 meters of water resistance such don't yell durability. At $100, I would say it is a good use of your funds for an interesting fashion watch, but at about $500, we just aren't getting enough aside from a cheeky strap and the Burberry name.

See Burberry watches on ebay here.

See Burberry watches on Amazon here.