C9 vs IWC Portuguese: a blatant copy?

Discuss Christopher Ward watches
User avatar
Tyke
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 5944
Joined: Mon Nov 29, 2010 9:47 pm
CW-watches: 0

Re: C9 vs IWC Portuguese: a blatant copy?

Post by Tyke »

ianblyth wrote:OK then. So how do you make a 2 reg chrono without it looking like any other manufactures 2 reg chrono from the past 50 years?
You could always try different numerals, hour & minute markers, hands, case shape & finish, colours for starters......
Richard
Senior Guru
Senior Guru
Posts: 547
Joined: Fri Apr 03, 2009 2:11 pm
CW-watches: 6
LE-one: yes
Location: Holland

Re: C9 vs IWC Portuguese: a blatant copy?

Post by Richard »

Wis wrote:Surely you are not suggesting that there is only one design possible?
I don't think that Ian is implying that there is just one design.
But you always 'lend' design from an earlier/other watch.

There are just so few ways to design a watch.
Show me a 'unique' watch, that doesn't resemble another watch in one way or another.

Now the C9 isn't my cup of tea at all, and I must say it's just too similar to the IWC.
CW count: 6 Seiko count: 11 Casio count: 1 Citizen count: 1 G-Shock count: 2.
Unofficial Seiko ambassador.
User avatar
Wis
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 3632
Joined: Fri Dec 10, 2010 8:07 pm
CW-watches: 1
Location: Near Oslo, Norway

Re: C9 vs IWC Portuguese: a blatant copy?

Post by Wis »

Richard wrote:
Wis wrote:Surely you are not suggesting that there is only one design possible?
I don't think that Ian is implying that there is just one design.
But you always 'lend' design from an earlier/other watch.

There are just so few ways to design a watch.
Show me a 'unique' watch, that doesn't resemble another watch in one way or another.
Of course he doesn't, but come on. It isn't very difficult to find lots of different 2 reg chronos. I agree there are only so many ways for the general design of a normal watch, but the possibilities are limitless when it comes to execution: combinations of shapes, colours, indices/markers, hands etc.
Bjørn
Tooks
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 1880
Joined: Tue Jan 20, 2009 4:55 pm
CW-watches: 2
Location: Leics/Lincs

Re: C9 vs IWC Portuguese: a blatant copy?

Post by Tooks »

It's possible via a Google image search to see that there are endless variations on twin register chronographs that do not look like the IWC Portuguese, sufficient to say that the CWL C9 must have been designed with it in mind. Or, it was a remarkable coincidence!

To my eye, the C9 is a lovely looking watch, but seeing it next to the IWC the latter possesses an elegance that the C9 gets nowhere near achieving.

Having said that, personally, I don't have a problem with watches that 'tip their hat' towards an iconic model, as long as they don't pretend to be it.

I think the C9 could be improved with more elegant/thinner lugs, bigger registers, and a less clumsy minute track. But then I suppose it would be even closer to the IWC, which wouldn't please some!
Ideal number of watches in your collection = current number of watches + 1...
User avatar
Kip
The Administrator
The Administrator
Posts: 35166
Joined: Tue Mar 13, 2007 8:45 pm
CW-watches: 150
LE-one: yes
LE-two: yes
LE-three: yes
LE-foura: yes
LE-fourb: yes
LE-five: yes
LE-six: yes
LESeven: yes
Location: New Hampshire, USA

Re: C9 vs IWC Portuguese: a blatant copy?

Post by Kip »

I think this woud be a more interesting discussion/comparison without the maker logos.

As always you will get conflicting opinions though. i do believe that the allure of IWC can sway many. :(
Kip

"Asylum Administrator"


Visit the CWArchives for everything CW. Historical, specs, manuals and resale. It is all there.
CornishDave
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 2320
Joined: Thu Aug 13, 2009 11:02 am
CW-watches: 8
Location: Northumberland

Re: C9 vs IWC Portuguese: a blatant copy?

Post by CornishDave »

I agree with you Ian, any mainstream watch is surely going to look similar to one made by someone else, there is only so much you can do with a watch face. By the way I think the IWC looks much nicer than the C9, but not thast many £££'s nicer! :problem:
User avatar
Mr Rick
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 4001
Joined: Thu Jul 14, 2011 8:25 pm
CW-watches: 17
Location: Southern California

Re: C9 vs IWC Portuguese: a blatant copy?

Post by Mr Rick »

ianblyth wrote:OK then. So how do you make a 2 reg chrono without it looking like any other manufactures 2 reg chrono from the past 50 years?
Exactly. I agree 100%. :clap:
Rick


Various vintage Heuers
CW C8 Pilot MK I and II, 2011 and 13 FLEs, C5 B of B and Malvern Aviator MK II, C11 MSL MK I, C70 DBR1, C60 and C60 GMT, C9 Harrison, C9 Chrono, C10 Aviator
Richard
Senior Guru
Senior Guru
Posts: 547
Joined: Fri Apr 03, 2009 2:11 pm
CW-watches: 6
LE-one: yes
Location: Holland

Re: C9 vs IWC Portuguese: a blatant copy?

Post by Richard »

Wis wrote:
Richard wrote:
Wis wrote:Surely you are not suggesting that there is only one design possible?
I don't think that Ian is implying that there is just one design.
But you always 'lend' design from an earlier/other watch.

There are just so few ways to design a watch.
Show me a 'unique' watch, that doesn't resemble another watch in one way or another.
Of course he doesn't, but come on. It isn't very difficult to find lots of different 2 reg chronos. I agree there are only so many ways for the general design of a normal watch, but the possibilities are limitless when it comes to execution: combinations of shapes, colours, indices/markers, hands etc.
Show me your 'version' of the C9 (shape, color etc.) and I'll show you it already has been done.
At that time this would not be a CW vs IWC discussion but a CW vs TypeX.

But as I already posted in my last line:
and I must say it's just too similar to the IWC
So no discussion here mate.
CW count: 6 Seiko count: 11 Casio count: 1 Citizen count: 1 G-Shock count: 2.
Unofficial Seiko ambassador.
sadgit
Senior
Senior
Posts: 156
Joined: Tue Apr 19, 2011 10:49 am
CW-watches: 6

Re: C9 vs IWC Portuguese: a blatant copy?

Post by sadgit »

Have 3 CW watches and love them :thumbup: however that IWC looked stunning!

Quick Google search found one I like, Portuguese Auto 5001, BUT the price!!!!!!!!!!!! £9,250 :shock:

I think I will stick with a CW "knock off" thank you very much.

Funny was looking at Omegas in some shop in Trafford Centre and preferred my C60!

It's all down to personal taste and wallet size :D
CW owned to date, C9 Jumping Hand Mk2 (now here-WOW) C900 (my new love) 2011 FLE (my old love) C60 trident x2 (Black & Orange) C50 COSC (eve out) C3 Chrono (now sons) Victoria Deco (better half)
User avatar
FieryTowse
Guru
Guru
Posts: 371
Joined: Tue Jun 10, 2008 12:32 pm
CW-watches: 4
Location: Scotland

Re: C9 vs IWC Portuguese: a blatant copy?

Post by FieryTowse »

I'm not sure I'd go quite so far as to say blatant copy, but there are some obvious styling cues that might support such a suggestion such as the chrono dials overlapping the 12 and 6 indices, and the positioning of the logo and "Chronograph Automatic". Although no mention as such, I don't see it as any different to the C60/Rolex GMT comparison. There are enough examples of even big name watch makers doing similar things both these days and in the past and present to get too worked up about it. At the end of the day, nobody is actually passing it off as an IWC Portuguese.

What I would add is that I've always considered the C5 and C3 to have elements of the Portuguese about them. A gold C5 on a tan strap would look every bit as good as the £16,000 gold on tan Portuguese my boss chooses as a daily wear IMHO. It might just be my inbuilt sense of value but I'd rather have the C5.
C3SKK/SKS
C11 KVKT
Omega Geneve Dynamic 135.0033 manual wind
Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 231.10.42.21.02.003
Omega Seamaster 300 Master Co-Axial 233.30.41.21.01.001
Steinhart Ocean Two
Rolex GMT-Master II 126710BLNR
User avatar
Lawrence
Senior Guru
Senior Guru
Posts: 537
Joined: Mon Feb 20, 2012 5:22 am
CW-watches: 20

Re: C9 vs IWC Portuguese: a blatant copy?

Post by Lawrence »

I know it's most likely heresy for saying so here and my land will suddenly stop producing crops to say nothing of what my cattle will suffer but I like the C9 better (copy or not). I think it's a little more refined in appearance and would look good as a dress watch...
Omega Speedmaster, Bulova Accutron Gemini, Tudor Black Bay Heritage Maroon & Black, C65 Trident Bronze SH21 LE, C65 Trident Black, C65 Trident Diver SH21, C65 Trident Ombre LE, Longines HydroConquest beautiful AF and better than C60 300
IanK
Senior Expert
Senior Expert
Posts: 261
Joined: Sun Apr 10, 2011 11:11 pm
CW-watches: 1
Location: Newport on Tay, Fife

Re: C9 vs IWC Portuguese: a blatant copy?

Post by IanK »

The IWC is great quality...but I think the CW looks less fussy
CWL C5 Aviator
Breitling Aerospace
Bremont Alt1-C
Bremont Alt1-ZT/51
Galton321
Forumgod
Forumgod
Posts: 872
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2007 11:45 am
CW-watches: 14
LE-one: yes
LE-two: yes
Location: Hampshire

Re: C9 vs IWC Portuguese: a blatant copy?

Post by Galton321 »

Apart from the fact that they are both twin dial chronos with the sub dials above each other I really can't see much similarity. There are obvious design elements in common but to say one is blatent copy is IMHO preposterous. For what it is worth I like the IWC but not the C9. The sub-dials on the C9 seem far too small compared with the IWC which is perfectly balanced, nay a masterpiece. :)
User avatar
f1colin
Forumgod
Forumgod
Posts: 960
Joined: Fri Nov 18, 2011 9:01 pm
CW-watches: 1
Location: London & Guildford

Re: C9 vs IWC Portuguese: a blatant copy?

Post by f1colin »

Well, it doesnt take much to see there is a similarity and it may be closer in the case of the C9 to the IWC than the c60 to the Sub. I agree that the Chronograph Automatic scripting and its position are too close for comfort. What I am certain of is that nobody will copy the scripting from a C50 as it is awful (but a nice watch).

If there was a hint of an issue, IWC would have surely come down on CW for copyright infringement, clearly not the case.

As for the Steinhart Ocean One, its a bigger case than a Rolex (and the bracelet is much better quality clasp - I've had both) so no issue there.

At the end of the day we all have choices. Personally I think the C9 Chrono with the silver dial and the blued hands looks superb and is on my wants list - but IMHO the red hands depicted on the silver sub dials and black face are executed in a way that IWC would never countenance.
f1colin

Rolex Sub, Oyster, Daytona
Tudor Black Bay, Big Block
Omega Dynamic, Speed, Speed 2, Speed 4.5, SM300
Heuer Monaco, Monza, Daytona, Silverstone, Autavia, Carrera, Calculator, Camaro, Montreal, Audi, Verona, 844, AMI, 1000
Seiko Pogue
User avatar
Tyke
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 5944
Joined: Mon Nov 29, 2010 9:47 pm
CW-watches: 0

Re: C9 vs IWC Portuguese: a blatant copy?

Post by Tyke »

f1colin wrote:Well, it doesnt take much to see there is a similarity and it may be closer in the case of the C9 to the IWC than the c60 to the Sub. I agree that the Chronograph Automatic scripting and its position are too close for comfort. What I am certain of is that nobody will copy the scripting from a C50 as it is awful (but a nice watch).

If there was a hint of an issue, IWC would have surely come down on CW for copyright infringement, clearly not the case.

As for the Steinhart Ocean One, its a bigger case than a Rolex (and the bracelet is much better quality clasp - I've had both) so no issue there.

At the end of the day we all have choices. Personally I think the C9 Chrono with the silver dial and the blued hands looks superb and is on my wants list - but IMHO the red hands depicted on the silver sub dials and black face are executed in a way that IWC would never countenance.
Slightly off topic but still with copyrights in mind, I am surprised that CWL are getting away with the blatant Bond references on their website, bearing in mind how the 007 owners & Omega usually seem to take great exception to any perceived infringements......