Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Hong Kong, May 10, 2020

LOT 166

IWC - Ref. 3705-07, chronograph, minute and hour recorders, date, day; “Ceramic Pilot Chronograph”; ceramic and stainless steel

HKD 80,000 - 100,000

USD 10,300 - 12,900 / EUR 9,600 - 12,000 / CHF 10,300 - 12,900

Sold: HKD 156,250

Ceramic and stainless steel, self-winding, tonneau-shaped, gentleman’s wristwatch, water-resistant with screwed case-back, black colour dial with suspended Arabic numerals, subsidiary seconds at 9 and five horological complications: • 1/8 second chronograph (activated by the two rectangular push-pieces) • 30-minute recorder (subsidiary dial at 12 o’clock) • 12-hour recorder (subsidiary dial at 6 o’clock) • Date of the month (aperture at 3 o’clock) • Day of the week (aperture at 3 o’clock; indications given in English).


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 2

Very good
Movement: 1 *
Dial: 1-01

As new

HANDS Original

Brand International Watch Co., Schaffhausen / Schaffhouse

Model “Pilot Chronograph”

Reference 3705-07

Year circa 1990-2000

Case No. 2 620 030

Material ceramic and stainless steel

Bracelet black crocodile leather IWC strap

Buckle stainless steel IWC buckle

Caliber 7922 (based on ETA 7750)

Height 60 mm.

Width 39 mm.

Signature dial, case and movement

Accessories original fitted box, certificate of origin, instruction booklet, pouch, service guarantee (dated 2008)

Notes

IWC, Ref. 3705, “Ceramic Pilot Chronograph” or “Ceramic Fliegerchronograph”
IWC launched its first wristwatch with ceramic case back in 1986 – the Da Vinci Ceramic Ref. 3755. Eight years later, the Schaffhausen based brand launched its first Pilot’s Chronograph in this material with the ref. 3705. While the former is somewhat of an unloved watch (for now!), the latter has grown out to be quite the cult watch.
The ceramic (zirconium oxide) case measures 39 mm. across. Its stainless steel pushers and crown provide for a bit of contrast – a feature also found on later iterations of the Pilot’s chronograph. At the time its price was about 50% higher than its stainless steel counterpart.