Property of an Eclectic Asian Collector
4
IWC
Ref. 3704
Porsche Design TITAN Chronograph 01
A fine titanium chronograph wristwatch with day, date and bracelet
- Estimate
- HK$30,000 - 50,000•€3,300 - 5,500$3,800 - 6,400
HK$30,480
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- IWC
- Year
- 1982, Switzerland
- Reference No
- 3704
- Movement No
- 2’335’044
- Case No
- 2’288’090, caseback stamps “3700”
- Model Name
- Porsche Design TITAN Chronograph 01
- Material
- Titanium
- Calibre
- Automatic, cal. 790, 25 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Titanium IWC bracelet, max length 170mm
- Clasp/Buckle
- Titanium IWC deployant clasp, signed Porsche Design
- Dimensions
- 42mm diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial and movement signed; dial and clasp further signed Porsche Design
- Accessories
- Delivered with IWC certificate of authenticity confirming production of the present timepiece on 6 April 1982.
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
• The Porsche Design TITAN Chronograph 01 is a bold and historically significant timepiece introduced in 1981. Although it was available for purchase in 1980, the first deliveries did not occur until April 1981. According to a 1980 advertisement by Tourneau in New York, the first 500 watches were engraved with a special limited edition number, positioned above the serial number on the case back. Buyers were also offered the option to have their name engraved on a bracelet link.
• This model was among the first automatic chronographs to feature a full titanium case and bracelet. It is powered by the classic calibre 790 chronograph movement, which includes day and date functions in a robust, motorsport-inspired design.
• The watch stands out for its industrial, Bauhaus-influenced aesthetic and integrated construction. The case transitions smoothly into the bracelet, while the chronograph pushers are subtly recessed into the case flanks, which is an innovation that enhances both form and function. The matte black dial, contrasted by white subdials and a red chronograph seconds hand, evokes the look of a dashboard instrument cluster, staying true to Ferdinand Alexander Porsche’s vision of clarity and purpose-driven design.
• As one of the iconic models of the IWC-Porsche Design collaboration, the Titan Chronograph has evolved along time and was released under 3 references: 3700, 3702, 3704.
• Ref. 3700: features calibre 790 and a first-generation bracelet.
• Ref. 3702: the movement was upgraded to calibre 7912 and second-generation bracelet.
• Ref. 3704: features calibre 7912 and a third-generation bracelet.
• Apart from the movement and bracelet design, there are six types of dials as well. The type of dial depends on the market to which the watch was delivered.
• Type 1: first-year dials were marked "IWC" in block letters above the date windows, and "International Watch Co." in script followed by "SCHAFFHAUSEN" in block italics below the date windows.
• Type 2: with the disappearance of the engraved "PORSCHE DESIGN" bracelet link, the dial showed "IWC" in block letters followed by "PORSCHE DESIGN" in block letters, all above the date windows. There were no words below the date windows.
• Type 3: a "full signatures" dial that features both companies’ names and logos. Above the date windows is "IWC" in block letters, followed by "International Watch Co." in script, followed by "SCHAFFHAUSEN" in block italics. Below the date windows is "PORSCHE DESIGN" in block letters, followed by the stylized "PD" logo. This dial also served as the replacement dial for older dial versions.
• Type 4: the dial dropped the "PD" logo from beneath the "PORSCHE DESIGN" block letters.
• Type 5: the dial was simplified and seems to reflect the dominance of the Porsche Design side of the partnership. Above the date windows appears "PORSCHE DESIGN" in block letters. Below the date windows appears "by IWC" in block letters.
• Type 6: the dial shows reference to Porsche only. Above the date windows is the stylized "pd" logo, followed by "PORSCHE DESIGN" in block letters. No words appear below the date windows.
• The present 1982 example is fitted with a collectors’ favourite type 3 “full-signature” dial and third-generation bracelet. It remains a compelling choice for collectors seeking a forward-thinking chronograph with deep roots in both horological and automotive history.
• This model was among the first automatic chronographs to feature a full titanium case and bracelet. It is powered by the classic calibre 790 chronograph movement, which includes day and date functions in a robust, motorsport-inspired design.
• The watch stands out for its industrial, Bauhaus-influenced aesthetic and integrated construction. The case transitions smoothly into the bracelet, while the chronograph pushers are subtly recessed into the case flanks, which is an innovation that enhances both form and function. The matte black dial, contrasted by white subdials and a red chronograph seconds hand, evokes the look of a dashboard instrument cluster, staying true to Ferdinand Alexander Porsche’s vision of clarity and purpose-driven design.
• As one of the iconic models of the IWC-Porsche Design collaboration, the Titan Chronograph has evolved along time and was released under 3 references: 3700, 3702, 3704.
• Ref. 3700: features calibre 790 and a first-generation bracelet.
• Ref. 3702: the movement was upgraded to calibre 7912 and second-generation bracelet.
• Ref. 3704: features calibre 7912 and a third-generation bracelet.
• Apart from the movement and bracelet design, there are six types of dials as well. The type of dial depends on the market to which the watch was delivered.
• Type 1: first-year dials were marked "IWC" in block letters above the date windows, and "International Watch Co." in script followed by "SCHAFFHAUSEN" in block italics below the date windows.
• Type 2: with the disappearance of the engraved "PORSCHE DESIGN" bracelet link, the dial showed "IWC" in block letters followed by "PORSCHE DESIGN" in block letters, all above the date windows. There were no words below the date windows.
• Type 3: a "full signatures" dial that features both companies’ names and logos. Above the date windows is "IWC" in block letters, followed by "International Watch Co." in script, followed by "SCHAFFHAUSEN" in block italics. Below the date windows is "PORSCHE DESIGN" in block letters, followed by the stylized "PD" logo. This dial also served as the replacement dial for older dial versions.
• Type 4: the dial dropped the "PD" logo from beneath the "PORSCHE DESIGN" block letters.
• Type 5: the dial was simplified and seems to reflect the dominance of the Porsche Design side of the partnership. Above the date windows appears "PORSCHE DESIGN" in block letters. Below the date windows appears "by IWC" in block letters.
• Type 6: the dial shows reference to Porsche only. Above the date windows is the stylized "pd" logo, followed by "PORSCHE DESIGN" in block letters. No words appear below the date windows.
• The present 1982 example is fitted with a collectors’ favourite type 3 “full-signature” dial and third-generation bracelet. It remains a compelling choice for collectors seeking a forward-thinking chronograph with deep roots in both horological and automotive history.
IWC
Swiss | 1868With a clear focus on technology and development, the Swiss watch manufacturer IWC Schaffhausen has been producing timepieces of lasting value since 1868. The company has gained an international reputation based on a passion for innovative solutions and technical ingenuity. One of the world's leading brands in the luxury watch segment, IWC crafts masterpieces of haute horlogerie at their finest, combining high precision with masculine design. Vintage wristwatches such as the oversized Portugieser, Aquatimer, Ingenieur and the B-UHR pilots watch are especially desirable for collectors.
Browse Maker