Vintage
HSTE takes us back to an era before GPS, showcasing the innovative IWC Compass, reference 3510. This post highlights IWC's pioneering spirit in watch-tech during the late 1970s and early 1980s, detailing the watch's unique PVD-coated aluminum case and the challenges faced with its early bracelet designs.
....and it was all about map reading and compass. And IWC was an innovative watch-tech company.
Enclosed the IWC Compass, reference 3510, produced from 1978 - 1986.
The company PVD-coated the aluminum case and - initially: the aluminum bracelet - in black or army green. They realized quite quickly that the PVD coating was very sensitive to flaking off. This is why they shortly after launch replaced the aluminum bracelet by a Delrin (plastic) bracelet. This is also why in almost all instances when you come across a 3510 it has PVD coating damages to the case (and bracelet if aluminum).
The creation of this watch model was based on a number ot technical innovations and a number of new patents for IWC back then.
Cheers, HSTE
One of the cooler ones to come out of the 1970s IMHO. And aluminium did not prove to be the easy material to work with when it comes to watches. Having three of the in such spectacular shape - wow! Thanks for sharing
.....my wife keeps telling me like: "ah - the boy's watch today?"
Very nice photos of a couple cool vintage IWCs. Thanks for posting. M4
Super cool! Best Blomman
and I have a scan of Butzi's sketches on this watch somewhere...in an IWC company special publication. Very glad to see that these are so well cared for. There is also a titanium version ref 3551 launched in the Basel show (1992?), and a solid yellow gold version. That was the final rendition. My favourite in this series is the one with moon-phase.
From, 1868-1993: 125 Jahre Entwicklungszeit fur Eine Uhr Zum Jubilaum der International Watch Co. Schaffhausen
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