IWC Porsche Design Chrono 3701 FULLY SERVICED

For sale, this attractive and highly recognizable IWC Porsche Design chronograph ref. 3701. In 1978, IWC and Porsche Design entered into a 20 year agreement to make watches together. This reference is the second product to see the light during the 80s after the famed compass watch.

IWC would produce the watches with a touch of ingenuity and innovation, Porsche design did what it did best: Come up with a modern and stylish design following the Bauhaus philosophy citing that form follows function.

A main characteristic is that the chronograph pushers as well as the bracelet are integrated into the case, giving the watch a particularly sleek aesthetic, almost organic, and very unusual for a chronograph from the 80s.

This is a good chance to take a closer look at a prolific and original run from the height of the quartz crisis era that succeeded to appeal to a younger, upwardly mobile clientele.

Please read the condition report carefully and refer to the high resolution pictures to help you assess the overall condition of the watch.

MODEL / REFERENCE:  IWC Porsche Design chronograph ref. 3701.

DIAL+HANDS: The watch comes with a perfectly preserved original matte black dial in with no visible speckles or discoloration.

While being clear and simple, the dial has caliber 790 layout with placed sub-dials at 12, 6 and 9 o’clock and accompanied with a day and date apertures at 3 o’clock. The day indication text is written in German.

The dial and handset are an excellent example of the harmony of color contrast making time reading possible at a glance.

The printing on the dial is still intact and very legible coupled with outer 1/5th second divisions and raised luminous markers at five second increments, The lume squares have aged beautifully, acquiring a pale yellow patina as the Tritium appears to be completely intact.

The white baton hands with luminous inserts and red orange central chronograph hand are correct and are in mint condition. They have developed a matching patina to the hour indexes, completing the vintage character of this gorgeous timepiece.

CRYSTAL: The scratch resistant sapphire crystal features an anti-glare coating.

MOVEMENT: This watch runs a reliable 25-Jewel calibre A/790, a cam switched automatic movement based on the Valjoux 7750 ebauche and embellished by IWC with a nickel plating treatment.

The movement has a hack feature, a quickset day and date functions and a running second hand at 9 o’clock, a minutes recorder subdial at 12 o’clock and a 12 hour chronograph recorder at 6 o’clock.

It has been fully serviced by my watchmaker here in Switzerland and is in perfect running order: It sets, winds, auto-winds, quick sets, and the chronograph starts –stops and -resets flawlessly.

CASE: The UFO shaped case measures 41 mm crown excluded, Aside from its striking design, The Matte black anodized aluminum case is surprisingly very light and pleasant to wear all while having an imposing presence on the wrist. The fixed bezel is sloped and displays a white 350 to 60 tachymeter scale in very good condition.

This tool watch has seen some action and is in fair vintage condition with light wear consistent with age and use. It shows some minor spotting throughout, manifested by the PVD coating loss especially on the inner rim of the bezel.

CASEBACK: The six notches stainless steel screw-in caseback is in very good condition and appears to be untouched, retaining its original satin finish.

 CROWN + PUSHERS: The PVD coated crown is correct to the watch despite not being signed. The textured chronograph pushers are recessed to the case and operate as intended. They display some expected PVD loss corresponding to the age and use of the watch.

BRACELET: The watch comes equipped with an integrated black Delrin bracelet in full length. This is an industrial strength synthetic polymer in decent condition, with minor surface scratches all the way to the clasp.

The signed IWC folding clasp closes securely and displays some heavy scratches.

ACCESSORIES: None

To understand this watch is to understand a chapter in horology, when technology forced the big players to experiment, innovate and find new partners. IWC survived and thrived

The 3071 was the second collaborative Porsche design chronograph model. This is A true conversation piece above all. From its sporty black dial, a jetblack matte black case in aluminium to the black delrin bracelet, it nails a striking look and lightweight feel. This model carries the DNA of its predecessor, the scarce and highly sought after Ocean 2000. A visionary design that saw the light during the 1980s and remains to be cherished as an aesthetic treasure even today.

WARRANTY: We guarantee the authenticity of the watch. We also provide a 12 months guarantee for the correct function of this vintage timepiece.  All guarantees are subject to the General Terms and conditions.

Please feel free to ask questions, we will be glad to answer. Virtual or face-to-face viewing is available by appointment.