APS factory's IWC Portugieser red dial best Collectwatch
In traditional Chinese culture, the horse symbolizes galloping, enterprising and success, and "success is achieved right away" is the best wish in the hearts of countless strivers. 2026 is the Year of the Horse in the Lunar Calendar. Based on the IWC Portuguese series seven-day chain watch, APS Factory launches this new MK1 product with great Collectible significance-Special Top CollectWatches for the Year of the Horse. It not only inherits the consistent elegance and excellent functions of the Portuguese series, but also cleverly incorporates the "horse" element into the automatic rotor, which means "when the time comes, the horse will succeed." This article will give you an in-depth analysis of this sincere work that combines functionality, craftsmanship and auspiciousness from multiple dimensions.
1. Authentic traceability: the legendary status of Portugal’s seven-day chain
In the long history of IWC, the Portuguese series has always occupied the flagship position. Its story began in the 1930s, when two Portuguese businessmen ordered a watch as accurate as a marine chronometer from IWC, thus giving birth to the originator of the Portuguese series. The Portuguese seven-day chain (official model IW5007 series) is the absolute core of this family - it is equipped with the 52010 self-made movement, which has a power reserve of up to seven days, and is achieved through two barrels in series. The authentic watch has a diameter of 42.3mm, a thickness of 14.1mm, and a sapphire glass mirror. It integrates hour and minute hands, date, small seconds and power reserve display. It is the perfect embodiment of IWC’s “form follows function” design philosophy.
The MK1 Year of the Horse special model launched by the Portuguese APS factory, the best Collectwatch, is based on this classic watch. On the basis of completely replicating its functions and aesthetics, it incorporates auspicious elements of the Year of the Horse and presents a unique timepiece gift to 2026.
2. Movement breakthrough: dismantling the original 52010 to achieve 80% structural agreement
The soul of a watch lies in its movement. When developing this special edition, the APS factory dismantled the original IWC 52010 movement at all costs. Through extensive trials and data analysis, it finally achieved an 80% consistency between the Collectmovement and the original structure - which is a very high level of restoration in the Collectfield.
The core features of the authentic 52010 movement include:
Double barrel series design——Provides a power reserve of up to seven days, which is approximately 168 hours converted into hours.
Pellaton automatic winding system(Woodpecker neck winding) - The pawl and the cam cooperate, and the winding efficiency is extremely high
Adjust the feel——The stages of each gear when pulling out the crown are clear, and the time adjustment is smooth and without resistance.
When the APS factory re-engraved the product, it focused on overcoming the synchronization problem of adjusting the feel. It is said that the debugging method and feel have been 100% synchronized with the original product - which means that whether it is the damping feeling when winding the chain or the paragraph confirmation feeling when adjusting the calendar, it is the same as the original experience. For watch friends who pursue "immersive feel", this is a key indicator to judge the quality of Collect.
In terms of polishing the movement splints, the APS factory has continued its usual high level. Geneva ripples, fish scale patterns and the pearl pattern treatment of the automatic rotor all show rich layers under the refraction of light. Through the sapphire transparent bottom cover, the wearer can clearly observe the operation of the twin barrels and the regular oscillation of the balance wheel.
3. Case technology: CNC top polishing, 42.3mm gold size
The case is the first impression of the watch, and it is also the strong point for which the APS factory is famous. The size of this special watch for the Year of the Horse is 42.3mm × 14.1mm - 42.3mm is the classic diameter of the Portuguese seven-day chain, suitable for most men's wrists; the thickness of 14.1mm is well controlled in the field of seven-day chain, which not only ensures the accommodation space of the movement structure, but also does not appear to be excessively bloated.
The case is polished using top CNC technology, with clear and smooth lines. When processing Portuguese series watch cases, the APS factory pays special attention to the following key details:
Lug curvature——The iconic slender lugs of the Portuguese series naturally transition to the connection with the case, and fit the curve of the wrist when worn.
Comparison between polishing and brushing——The bezel and case sides are highly polished, while the front of the lugs is finely brushed, with distinct layers of light and shadow.
Crown details——IWC’s iconic “fish-shaped” crown, the depth of the engraving and the anti-slip tooth pattern have all been restored in place.
As for the watch mirror, both the front and rear are made of sapphire glass, and the front glass is coated to achieve ultimate transparency. When viewed from the side, the presence of the glass is almost imperceptible, and the time can be read without any visual interference. This high-transparency effect is particularly practical for daily wear - even in strong light environments, the dial information is still clearly readable.
4. Disk layout: excellent functions, clear at a glance
The plate layout of the Portuguese seven-day chain is its iconic feature and the ultimate embodiment of functionalism. APS Factory’s special model for the Year of the Horse has completely reproduced this design:
Disk functional partition：
| Location | functionality | specificities |
|---|---|---|
| 3 o’clock position | Power reserve display | Sector window, red area prompts that the chain needs to be wound |
| 6 o’clock | date window | Black text on white background, clear font |
| 9 o’clock position | small second hand | Independent operation, smooth scanning in seconds |
| central | hour and minute hands | Willow leaf needle shape, filled with luminous |
The background color of the dial is classic silver white or dark black (depending on the version), and the hour markers use three-dimensional inlaid Arabic numerals with fine and burr-free edges. The hands are in the classic willow needle shape, with slender proportions and precise pointing. All scales and hands are covered with luminous material, which displays blue-green luminous light in dark light environments, making reading stress-free.
It is worth mentioning that the Portuguese series’ dials follow the philosophy of “less is more” – there are no redundant decorative elements, and everything prioritizes readability. This restrained and elegant design makes it suitable for both formal occasions and casual outfits.
5. Special elements of the Year of the Horse: an automatic rotor carved into a horse, which indicates the direction of time.
The most Collectible design of this watch is undoubtedly the carved horse on the automatic rotor.
The automatic rotor of the IWC Portuguese Seven-Day Chain was originally designed with a hollow design and the brand logo was inlaid in the center. The APS factory's special model for the Year of the Horse has made an ingenious second creation on the automatic rotor - carving a galloping horse. This horse holds its head high and raises its hooves, its mane is flowing, and its muscles are smooth and powerful, which means "the first horse leads to success."
More importantly, the automatic rotor itself has a 360-degree rotation function. When the wrist swings, the horse rotates with the automatic rotor, as if the horse is galloping in the wilderness, bringing the beautiful meaning of "when the time comes, the horse will succeed". For friends born in the Year of the Horse in 2026, or cousins who hope to "get a good start" in career and life, this design is undoubtedly very attractive.
In terms of fine carving technology, APS Factory uses high-precision CNC carving combined with manual trimming. The outline, muscle texture and mane details of the horse are clearly discernible without any roughness. Under the illumination of light, the horse appears lifelike on the automatic rotor, which can be called a work of art within a square inch.
6. Strap and buckle: Italian calfskin + original grade folding buckle
The strap is the only contact medium between the watch and the human body, and its comfort directly affects the wearing experience. The APS factory's special model for the Year of the Horse is made of calfskin imported from Italy. The leather is soft and delicate, and the surface texture is natural. After a period of wearing, it will form a "memory arc" that fits the wrist.
As for the buckle, it is equipped with a folding buckle that is consistent with the original level. The operating feel of the folding buckle has been carefully adjusted - it opens and closes crisply, there is a clear "click" confirmation sound when closing, and there is no spring sound common in cheap watch buckles. The depth and font of the brand engraving on the buckle surface are restored to the original position, and they can withstand scrutiny even when viewed at close range.
For users who prefer metal straps, the APS factory also provides replacement options (depending on the version), but the leather strap mainly recommended for the Year of the Horse special edition has a more "ceremonial feel" and complements the auspicious theme of the horse carving.
7. Wearing experience: The calmness of increasing power in seven days
The seven-day power reserve is the biggest practical advantage of the Portuguese series. This means that the wearer does not need to wind the watch every day. Even if he takes it off on the weekend and wears it again on Monday, the watch will still run accurately. For watch lovers who own multiple watches, the convenience brought by long power is immeasurable - there is no need to worry about resetting the date and time after the watch is stopped.
In terms of wearing feel, the watch diameter of 42.3mm is suitable for wrists above 16cm, and the thickness of 14.1mm is already slim among long-term power watches. The curved lug design makes the case fit naturally on the wrist, so you won’t feel tired even if you wear it for a whole day. The Italian calfskin strap is slightly hard when first worn, but gradually softens after a few days of running in, forming a unique fit.
Of course, the Portuguese seven-day chain is not without "controversy" - some watchers think it is slightly "thick", while others think the design of the willow needle is too traditional. But it is undeniable that since its launch, this watch has always been one of the best-selling models in the IWC product line, and its classic status has not been shaken.
Summary: APS Factory's special model for the Year of the Horse - a double gift of auspiciousness and precision
APS Factory IWC Portuguese Seven Days Chain Year of the Horse Special Edition is a clever fusion of classic timepieces and traditional culture. From the disassembly of the original 52010 movement to achieve 80% structural agreement, to the 42.3mm case polished with top-level CNC technology; from the functional disk layout to the meticulously carved galloping horse on the automatic rotor - every detail conveys the best wishes of "success" to the wearer.
The following table summarizes the differences between the core configurations of the APS Factory Year of the Horse special model and the ordinary version on the market:
| Components | Features of the APS Factory Year of the Horse special edition | Common shortcomings of ordinary versions on the market |
|---|---|---|
| movement | Disassembled the original 52010, 80% of the structure is consistent, and the adjustment feel is synchronized | General movement with plywood, short power and poor feel |
| Automatic rotor | The exquisitely carved horse rotates 360 degrees, which means "time comes and turns" | Ordinary hollow automatic rotor, no special elements |
| Watch case | CNC top polishing, 42.3×14.1mm | Ordinary grinding, size deviation |
| Watch dial | Three-dimensional time scale, complete three-eye function layout | Printed hour markers, functional fake hands |
| crystal | Double-sided sapphire, high-transparency coating on the front side | Ordinary glass, serious reflection |
| strap buckle | Italian calfskin + original grade folding buckle | Cheap leather + simple pin buckle |
For watch lovers who love the design aesthetics of the IWC Portuguese series, pursue long-lasting practical functions, and at the same time hope to have a good start in the Year of the Horse in 2026, the APS Factory Seven-Day Chain Year of the Horse Special Edition is undoubtedly the most worthy choice at the moment. Wear it and you will succeed immediately!
