THE ESSENTIALS

MAKE: IWC
MODEL: IW3511
YEAR: 2000
BOX/PAPERS: YES/YES
CASE DIAMETER: 36mm
CASE MATERIAL: TITANIUM
BRACELET MATERIAL: TITANIUM
MOVEMENT: AUTOMATIC

In 1978, both IWC and Porsche Design Studio headed by the infamous Ferdinand Porsche came out with the 3510 Kompassuhr, a black or green PVD aluminium watch with a compass integrated into the case. You need to remember, when this was released, cheap quartz watches were all the rage, decimating high end watch making. To aim to the younger and more adventurous audience, the extract below comes directly from a piece of period advertising.

"This combination is especially intended for all those who must or wish to use a compass to find their bearings: yachtsmen, sportsmen, amateur pilots, rally racers, hikers, military people - not to speak of strollers following their nose in strange big cities"

The watch we have here, the 3511 was released in 1991 and featured the biggest update to the model and set the tone for all Porsche Design watches since, the use of titanium. The cal 375 movement remained and the dial changed slightly with the new 'grenade' crown moving to the 4 o clock position rather than at 3. 

This watch therefore represents somewhat of a time capsule. Originally sold in 2000 at an IWC store in Tokyo, its been a forgotten item since. The watch remains in near perfect condition, the tritium plots on the compass and dial have turned a wonderful deep cream colour, the dial and hands are flawless, the bracelet has no stretch or wear. Its inner and outer box, papers, guarantee, sales tag, bracelet tool and spare link are all still present. 

A remarkable example of an iconic watch that will continue to attract new admirers.