Horological Meandering

...it introduced the reference 3510, a compass watch in collaboration with Porsche Design. Main challenge was the use of materials for the case and movement that would not negatively influence the accuracy of the compass. As a result IWC registered six new patents just for this reference. The case and bracelet are made from aluminum (bracelet material subsequently changed to Delrin). The compass can be removed (to put it on a map). The links of the bracelet are each 5mm so that the bracelet can be used for measurements. The folding clasp had a patented fine-adjustment mechanism. The bearing balls of the automatic movement were from ruby rather than steel. The compass was the flattest compass back then. Just to mention some of the features.

The watch came in black and in NATO green. It turned out that the color coating on the aluminum tended to flake off (which is why they soon replaced the aluminum bracelet by plastic (Delrin) bracelets). It is therefore very hard today to find MINT condition all-aluminum versions like the two below.

Cheers, HSTE

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