IWC
Ref. 3510
An unusual, scarce and perfectly preserved military green PVD-coated aluminum automatic wristwatch with center seconds, date, hinged case concealing a compass and an emergency beacon mirror and bracelet
Manufacturer : IWC
Year : Circa 1981
Reference No : 3510
Movement No : 2'340'550
Case No : 2'266'576
Model Name : Compass Watch
Material : PVD-coated aluminium
Calibre : Automatic, cal. 375, 22 jewels
Bracelet/Strap : PVD-coated aluminum IWC bracelet, max length 195mm
Clasp/Buckle : PVD-coated Aluminum IWC deployant clasp
Dimensions : 39mm Diameter
Signed : Case, dial, movement and clasp signed IWC, dial further signed Porsche DesignThe worlds of watch collecting and automotive often intersect paths. Both consisting of engineered, technical items it is not unheard of today for a car company to ally with a watch company - think Richard Mille and Ferrari, Parmigiani and Bugatti, Breitling and Bentley (just to name a few).
The present piece not only is a precursor of this trend, but it in fact takes the merging much further by using one of the most hallowed brands in automotive - Porsche - and transforming it into a watch brand in its own - rather than a simple collaboration of Porsche with a different brand.
The man behind this brand is Ferdinand Alexander Porsche (1935-2012), the grandson of the founder of Porsche, Ferdinand Porsche.
While his father and grandfather were eminently engineers dedicated to the inner workings of their cars, Alexander was more of a designer, and unarguably an extremely talented one: it is his pencil that gifted the world one of the greatest and most iconic car designs ever devised, the Porsche 911.
Given such a background of intertwined mechanics and aesthetics, it is somewhat unsurprising that eventually he decided to create a watch brand. The company chosen as partner for this endeavour was IWC. Their collaboration started in 1978 and lasted for about 20 years, characterized by the creation of some very unusual and practical tool watches, such as the present one.
Featuring a very readable and clear luminous dial with red center seconds, the case of the piece is hinged at 12; by pushing the two buttons on the 6 o’clock end link, the case opens up and reveals not only a compass, but also an emergency beacon mirror which acts as screw-on back for the movement.
One of the first PVD-coated timepieces to hit the market, the model is most often seen in black. The present military green configuration is an extremely uncommon variation, as collectible as it is in tune with today’s horological tastes.
On top of all the above, the fact that the watch is offered in absolutely impeccable, practically NOS condition makes this offer an irresistible proposal for the farsighted collectors.
Research with the manufacture states that the wristwatch with serial number 2’266'576 was sold September 4 1981 to Porsche Salzburg.
