THE ESSENTIALS

MAKE: IWC
MODEL: IW3706
YEAR: 2000
BOX/PAPERS: NO/YES
CASE DIAMETER: 39MM
CASE MATERIAL: STAINLESS STEEL
BRACELET MATERIAL: STAINLESS STEEL
MOVEMENT: AUTOMATIC

It is no secret that we love IWCs here at Fathom. Whilst modern IWCs have taken on an intriguing direction with their (mostly) oversized design and luxury branding, one doesn't need to go that far back in the IWC catalogue to find some real gems that combine simplicity, robustness, quality, and class.

The watch we have for sale here is a perfect example of what IWC used to be; made from 1994 to around 2005, the IW3706 Pilot Fliegerchronograph has all you need on a tool chronograph and nothing more; a simple black dial with printed numerals, date and day windows at 3 o'clock, 39mm case with mostly a brushed satin finish and thin polished bevels, an IWC-modified Valjoux 7750 movement, and a comfortable bracelet to complete the package.

It is hardly a surprise that the IW3706 became one of IWC's most popular and loved models from the 1990s and early 2000s. The beautiful yet non-pretentious watch was exactly what IWC buyers wanted over the other luxury Swiss watch brands. The present example is one of the later 3706s that was made and has the luminova dial. The case is superb, as is the pyramid bracelet, which will accommodate an 18.5cm wrist. The original guarantee card is also still present.

The watch has been freshly serviced and is running well at +1 s/d, 290 amps, with a 0.1 ms beat error. This watch, in our opinion, is one of the last of the best from IWC’s golden era, when watches weren’t the size of dinner plates.