Exciting IWC Porsche Design Titan 3700 Acquisition

Greetings!

Having been in and out of love with the IWC Porsche Design Titan since 1989,
and having owned and sold four examples, I am frequently peeking into a
variety of marketplaces online to see what is out there to tempt me into
getting another. I just returned to the hobby after a 2.5 year hiatus,
distracted by a brief fascination with firearms. Now I am done with that, and
can return to the watch passion that began for me in 1986.

My first Titan was purchased (used) in 1989, and I wore it in rotation with
other watches for a year. At the time I preferred traditional chronographs,
and the Titan was just too contemporary for me. Fast forward to 2011 or so, I
began remembering the watch fondly, and decided to pursue an example. I found
one near me from a dealer I knew. Like the first, and like the two that
followed over the next few years, some other watch seemed more interesting and
I let those Titans go to new homes.

Now "back in the game," the Titan was on my mind again. My search led me to a
very reasonably priced example. The seller pointed out some flaws that are
quick to turn off many prospective buyers: the bracelet was short, the dial
had spots, the chronograph didn't function but the watch kept time. I
discovered this Titan had been "on the market" since at least August of 2018.
I also noticed some differences in this Titan from the photos in the sales
listing: the date in black on white, the Porsche Design link below the Titan
link, what appeared from a side view to be the old thin bladed bracelet clasp,
and from another side view what appeared to be an engraving above the serial
number (but it wasn't clear).

I decided to take the gamble, thinking this was a survivor from the first
Titans sold, and since the 7750 movement is ubiquitous, it may be repairable.
I made an offer to the seller that was accepted, and three days later this
arrived:

This is the earliest example I have ever known. Lowest serial number, lowest
of the "First 500" examples sold by Tourneau in New York in 1981, oldest dial
version, the Porsche Design link, old style ratchet bracelet. I think I struck
Titan-Nerd gold!

Had to share it. Sorry for the long post. Thoughts and comments most welcome!

Congratulations on this remarkable acquisition.
One of the first 3700 in original condition is very rare to find, because
almost all 3700 were converted to the new bracelet system.

This model was mostly responsible to save IWC from the crisis at that era.
An underrated model today, even though it is a milestone in IWC history ?!

Enjoy this rarety.

Regards

gorgeous rare find! Congrats

More "good" news. I decided to open the case and have a peak (and snap some
pictures) before the watch is serviced. From the inside of the case It appears
it may have been serviced in July 2011? Not sure what "DR" might stand for.
Notice the case does not have a reference number "3700" as I expected to see.
Could it be the early ones didn't have it? The movement looks pretty crisp.
The serial number on the movement is 2 333 349.

After screwing the case back on hand tight, I noticed the chronograph was
running. I must have pressed the pusher when I opened it. But now it seems to
run! I had been timing it over the weekend on my watch winder without the
chrono running, and over three days it lost 10 seconds. Very acceptable. Now
with the chrono running, I'll see if 1) it continues to run, and 2) if the
elapsed time hour indicator is keeping proper measurement. So far, the elapsed
time minute indicator is functioning as expected: nice snap, no drag.

I can only guess perhaps the gasket was too thin and/or the case too tight,
and something was binding? Though the rotor was spinning freely and I guess
that would be the first thing to bind in a tight case (love the "feel" of the
7750 rotor as the weight spins!). I'm not a watchmaker, but after 33 years of
"playing around" with watches, I can make some minor fixes and guesswork.

I know some of my observations are more detailed that some care to know.
However, if there is anyone like me out there trying to piece together a more
cohesive history of the IWC 3700/3702/3704 series, maybe this detail helps? I
know I have my own documentation containing what I have assembled from some
facts and much guessing by collectors. Somewhat like a hobby within a hobby!

Can't seem to edit the prior post adding a picture of the case? I'll try again
here. Hope it shows up.

Hmmm...no picture. Sorry, don't know what I'm doing wrong. Dragging and
dropping is about the extent of my technical skill.

A very instructive and interesting post including the emotions felt by many
vintage collectors when they go for THE piece.

Thanks for showing us.

Adrian,

(alwaysiwc).

what a great find(!)

an AT to keep and do NOT appologize for a story to long (..)

thats what we want to read on this forum. Cool pick-ups, nice overhaules at
Schaffhausen and seeing a perfect running IWC watch again.

please do post the watch after servoce. I'm very curious about the result,

cheers

First, your photo of the case backs inner side.

And a comparison of the case of your first version of the 3700 and the
following versions, here the last variant, Ref. 3704.

The lug mounting systems are different.

Your very early original version of the 3700 is very rare, because almost all
early 3700 were rebuilt, because the durability of the early titanium
bracelets were bad.

During conversion, the cases were also dipped.

Thanks gentlemen for sharing these beautifull watches and interesting new
insights to me!

Regards, Bob

Hello all,

Around two years ago I bought the 3700 since I loved it from the very first
day it was presented. I also took care that it had the original writ band from
the 1st series and the face with the full information. As well I wanted to
have Titan written on the case because of the history of that watch.

It is a French model with French days. English would have been better, but I
also speek French. The serial number is 2280008.

Before I bought it through a "used watch sales portal" they refurbished and
cleaned the watch. It did not seem to be water proof when we tested it my
office, but I can live with it.

Since the "TITAN" letters were not black anymore I used a black CD marker pen
which works fine :-)...

This picture is missing in my last note...

Nice Titan, Chris! Thank you for the photos. It is examples like this that
make me wonder about how watches left the factory. The dial you have was
introduced around 1983, and served as the replacement dial for models that
originally had this or the prior two dial versions. Yours also happens to be
the dial many collectors prefer, because it features the full name/logo of
both IWC and Porsche Design. Your bracelet is from the earliest series as far
as I can tell. IWC was quick to replace the ratcheting clasp and blades with
thicker (stronger) blades and no ratcheting clasp for micro adjustments. So
while all the parts appear to be factory original, I wonder if the dial you
have on it now is a replacement for an earlier style dial? Or maybe I'm
mistaken about when IWC replaced the clasp (like the one on yours) with the
non-ratcheting thicker one? Mysteries! I love it! Even if they do drive me mad
sometimes...ha!

I don't suppose there is the three-digit number with a letter prefix (A- or
E-) above the serial number on the back of your case? I have yet to see a
photo of an early Titan with an E- prefix, which collectors seem to think is
found on the first 500 examples sold to the European market. I still question
whether or not there were 500 specially marked examples, or if there were
1,000 examples-500 each for the American and European markets. Seems deceptive
to advertise to the public that the watch they purchase is one of the first
500 if there were really 1,000 worldwide.

Heiko, thanks for the bracelent info. You noted that the lug mounting systems
are different. I presumed they changed with the bracelet updates on references
3702 and 3704 (I haven't confirmed that). But I wondered about the reference
3700 bracelets. I pulled up a photo of my previous 3700 bracelet that had the
later clasp and thicker blades. It appears even this lug mounting system
differs from the earlier clasp and thin blades. Compare my photo of the
earlier
version:

To a photo of the later bracelet

The earlier one has a cutout on the lug, I'm guessing to accommodate a
screwdriver/tool to depress the pin to detach the bracelet from the head?

Now you have inspired me to look at other photographs on the Internet to see
if I can detect differences in the lug mounting systems. Fun!

Wow what an amazing acquitistion and to find it in the condition that it's
in. Congratulations and wear it in good health!!

Just an example, the different bracelet link connection systems:
- 1. adjustment, one pin can be pushed with tiny screw driver or needle.

- 2. adjustment, two pins can be pushed with a special tool.

- 3. adjustment by sleeve and pins connection.

Here you will fine a picture with the serial number. There is no additional
stamp...

pic:

Just a unique strap variant.
A creative guy has made these adapters because the titanium bracelet was
broken.