Dress Watch Help!

Unlike @Aurelian, I'm actually going to be helpful.  

If I were entirely indifferent in terms of the design and heritage, yadda, yadda, yadda of the two watches, I would choose the IWC, entirely due to the movement.  Why?

• The movement in the Cartier is an 1847 MC, which is an in-house movement = expensive to maintain, who knows if it'll actually last, etc., etc.
• The movement in the IWC is the Caliber 35111, which is based on the Sellita SW300-1.  Given that it's Sellita = workhorse, the movement should be reliable, relatively easy / cheap to service and maintain

Good luck with the choice!

Cartier Ftw 

I gave the same advice, albeit based on a comprehensive theory of aesthetics and with more brevity.

The key word is dress. Cartier would edge out the IWC in my factoring due to history.

In aesthetics I like the Cartier, I dig that railroad track chapter ring inside the Roman numerals, that's a pretty uncommon look.

Both lovely, however it’s so important to actually hold them, the IWC “in person” is so well finished and the dial is just beautiful, it really doesn’t come across in pictures. 

Personally, I would go for the Cartier as it is much more ornate, and if you want to go for a dress watch you might as well go all out.

The IWC is pretty and the Cartier design is from the last century.

I went today and saw both. 

Cartier. There is simply no scenario where I’m spending $5000 (MSRP on the IWC, hopefully you are getting a much better deal) for a fairly common looking dress watch with a Selita movement. If you’re worried about servicing, you can find dress watches with off the shelf movements for a lot less than the IWC.

Cartier just looks dressier in my opinion. 

Cartier >

for me, i would base the decision on looks and go for the cartier.

IWC. But I hate Roman numerals.

I think the Cartier is far more distinctive.  The Cartier font, the railroad track on the inner dial, the raised printed numerals and text and the sapphire cabochon make it unmistakable.  I think there's something to be said for looking at something and being certain of who made it.

While I'm pretty sure the two roman numeral thing is a portofino original, I don't think IWC has done nearly as much as they could have to claim that design language for the portfofino line (compared to say their pilot watches).  As a result, the design provenance feels a little muddled to me.  I definitely know plenty of brands that copy the look nearly to a T.  I have definitely gifted a citizen Corso eco drive with a nearly identical look.

I guess I'm the sucker that falls for marketing.

I'm partial to Cartier on this one.

Have you seen either of these in person? I am partial to the Cartier, but the IWC appears to have an easier to read date window. They are both handsome pieces, if I was able to read the date on the Cartier, I would purchase that one of the two.

Cartier, all the way.

Looks like you've already made a shortlist. Before pulling the trigger, try checking out the Seiko Presage line for comparison on beautiful design and craftsmanship. 

My vote is for the iwc but pick whatever you like best when you try them on

That is a tough one friend… but I would go with IWC! If you are into square watches (as there are not a lot of nice square IWCs)— you can later add a tank/santos in the future and have both IWC (circle) and Cartier (square) in your collection. If you want both brands in your collection that is! 
 

Ps IWC has been in my collection for years and it is a stunning watch! Photos don’t do this watch justice.

The Portofino is a nice-enough looking dress watch but its hard to argue that the Cartier Ronde isn’t the more detailed design from the case to the dial. Cartier’s design language is simply exquisite. 

Cliffton Baumatic 10518

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTf1g0eZ3nQ 

a much cheaper option but looks better in my opinion.

It has its frequent place on my wrist among my other more exxy brands. 

IWC easy choice

The Cartier is a little nicer