• The legendary Günter Blümlein rescued IWC from the brink of obsolescence and transform it into a powerhouse of modern watchmaking amidst the quartz crisis. His vision and determination facilitated the 20-year strategic collaboration between the brand and Porsche design. Under the collaboration between IWC engineers and Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, the Porsche Design line of titanium watches was developed. One of the earliest innovations was the Porsche Design Compass Watch. Featuring the anti-magnetic components, it was the first titanium watch made by IWC. Around the same time, IWC developed “Ocean BUND” for the German Navy. In order to fulfil the German Navy’s requirement, it was built to withstand 300 metres of pressure and equipped with a flat sapphire crystal and an orange-red framed minute hand. In the meantime, a civilian version was developed.

• At the 1983 Basel Fair, IWC introduced the Ocean 2000, reference 3500. Produced for about four years, it was released under references 3500, 3504, and 3524, each denoting a different bracelet generation. Its standout feature was its exceptional water resistance: 2000 meters (200 atmospheres or over 6,500 feet). At the time, conventional adhesives and seals couldn’t reliably endure such depths or temperature shifts. IWC overcame this by using a kiln-cured adhesive, ensuring durability in extreme conditions.

• While originally paired with a titanium bracelet, the present early example from 1983 features a grey Velcro nylon strap, designed for saltwater use and diver comfort. Meanwhile, its dial features a full-signature cursive script logo and a slightly embedded date window in the minute and hour marker. The watch’s clean, modern aesthetic perfectly reflects the DNA of both Porsche Design and IWC, making it a landmark in the history of professional dive watches.