A while back, during the online exhibition of Watches & Wonders 2020, we covered some over-the-top pieces launched there. Today, we are doing the polar opposite of that and taking a look at two pared-down, simple and pure watches from IWC Schaffhausen and Jaeger-LeCoultre. They both cost almost the same price come with immense history within their respective brands and are perfect options for everyday wear or even for more dressy occasions. Both watches are incredible and we couldn’t decide which we liked best. Thus, we have decided to write about them both in this article and ask you, our readers, this question: which would you pick and why?

IWC Schaffhausen Portugieser Automatic 40

Let’s start with the IWC. The design of a neatly organised, open dial with small seconds at 6 o’clock had already existed in IWC’s catalogue since the late 1930s with the Reference 325. As you can imagine, it would have probably had a diameter of around 36mm but with this latest option, they have brought the size up to a more modern 40mm. The case is stainless steel, while the hands and indices are gold plated giving it a nice and warm overall tone. The movement is an IWC-manufactured Caliber 82200 that has a Pellaton winding system with ceramic components and a power reserve of 60 hours.

Price: CHF 7,500 (Approx. MYR 33,600)

Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control Date

Within JLC, the Master Control collection needs no introduction. Since its introduction 15 years ago, it has been a mainstay within the brand. This new Master Control Date brings a visually minimalistic design to the collection offering only time and date functions. The case is also in 40mm, and for this watch, the case, hands and indices are all in stainless steel. JLC is one of the few manufactures that can claim they make every component of a watch in-house. And because of this, they can make constant adjustments to their movement design as and when necessary. The Calibre 899 movement powering the watch has been updated for the Master Control Date where it now features a redesigned escapement and pallet, in silicon to minimise friction and boost efficiency. Thus, the Calibre 899 offers a power reserve of 70 hours.

Price: MYR 28,300