International Watch Co. wristwatch, ref. 3705, IWC Ref. 3705 Self-Winding Chronograph, circa 1994 — view 1 of 2 — View 1 of 2 · Image: Antiquorum Genève SA · original image source (opens another website in a new tab)

View 1 of 2 · Image: Antiquorum Genève SA · original image source (opens another website in a new tab)

Wristwatches · Wristwatch

International Watch Co. wristwatch, ref. 3705, IWC Ref. 3705 Self-Winding Chronograph, circa 1994

DocumentedDocumented from an auction catalogue; attribution as stated by the auction house.

Maker / attribution: International Watch Co. (brand / maker)
Date: c. 1994
Historical period: Mechanical Renaissance (1990 – 2010)
Country of origin: Switzerland
Object type: Wristwatch
Materials / technique: ceramic
Dimensions: diameter 39 mm
Auction house: Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
Lot: Lot 353-8
Credit line: Auction lot record: LOT 8, Monaco Auction
Catalogue title (original): INTERNATIONAL WATCH COMPANY, IWC REF. 3705, SELF-WINDING CHRONOGRAPH, MINUTE AND HOUR COUNTERS, DATE, DAY, BLACK DIAL; (English)

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Record summary

Catalogued by Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva (lot Lot 353-8), this is a wristwatch by International Watch Co., made in Switzerland, dated c. 1994. The Atlas places it in the Mechanical Renaissance period (1990 – 2010) of its Wristwatches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: ceramic. Recorded dimensions: diameter 39 mm. The record is illustrated with 2 photographs.

Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.

Catalogue description

Antiquorum catalogue description

A very fine and rare, ceramic and stainless steel, self-winding, chronograph wristwatch, water-resistant with screwed case-back, black colour dial, 30-minute counter, 12-hour counter, date of the month and day of the week.

Lot specifications (Antiquorum)

Model: "Der Fliegerchronograph"; Reference: 3705-001; Movement No.: 2 511 312; Case No.: 2 564 491; Material: ceramic and stainless steel; Bracelet: black leather strap; Buckle: stainless steel IWC buckle; Caliber: C 7912, 25 jewels; Diameter: 39 mm.; Weight: 84.3 gr. (approx.); Signature: dial, case and movement; Accessories: original box and outer box, International Guarantee, instruction booklet, booklets, hang-tag, invoice (dated January 1998)

Inscriptions & marks

dial, case and movement

Historical context

Mechanical Renaissance (1990 – 2010)

Mechanical watches return as cultural objects; independent watchmaking flourishes.

Mechanical watches returned as cultural and luxury objects. Complications, tourbillons and new materials proliferated; independent watchmakers such as George Daniels, F.P. Journe and Philippe Dufour revived artisanal watchmaking; collecting vintage watches became a major field.

Read the period in the timeline More wristwatches from this period Earlier: Quartz Revolution

Atlas type guide

Chronographs and split-seconds watches

A chronograph is a watch with an additional seconds hand that can be started, stopped and returned to zero independently of the timekeeping. Louis Moinet built an early example in 1816 and Nicolas Rieussec a recording 'chronographe' in 1821; Adolphe Nicole's heart-shaped reset cam (patented 1862) made the modern return-to-zero possible. Split-seconds (rattrapante) chronographs add a second hand that can be stopped for intermediate times; flyback chronographs restart instantly.

Chronographs were essential tools for doctors (pulsometer scales), artillery (telemeter), engineers and sport. In wristwatches, Valjoux, Venus, Lemania and later the automatic chronographs of 1969 (Zenith El Primero, the Chronomatic Calibre 11 group and Seiko 6139) are milestones.

What to look for

Push-pieces on the case band or a single button in the crown (monopusher).
Subsidiary registers for minutes and hours; tachymeter, telemeter or pulsometer scales.
Column wheel versus cam control visible in the movement.
Calibre markings of specialist makers (Valjoux, Lemania, Venus, Landeron).

Dating clues

Pocket chronographs with heart cam reset: after 1862.
Wrist chronographs: from c. 1910; two-button designs from the 1930s.
Automatic chronographs: from 1969.

General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.

Mechanisms mentioned

Chronograph — Complication
Jewel bearings — Component
Self-winding (automatic) mechanism — Component

Record completeness

Maker or attributionRecorded
DateRecorded
Place or countryRecorded
MaterialsRecorded
DimensionsRecorded
Narrative descriptionRecorded
Inscriptions / marksRecorded
ProvenanceNot in source
Several photographsRecorded

Editorial status: Documented — facts as published by the source; not independently verified by Atlas editors.

Explore further

Sources & image rights

Record source: Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva (opens another website in a new tab).

Image rights: © Antiquorum Genève SA — permission required (opens another website in a new tab).

Images are hosted by the Atlas for study and credited to their owner. Rights holders may request correction, credit changes or removal, or grant permission, via the editorial office.

Cite this record

"International Watch Co. wristwatch, ref. 3705, IWC Ref. 3705 Self-Winding Chronograph, circa 1994." Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva, Lot 353-8. Catalogue record in The Horology Atlas, WatchMuseum.org, https://atlas.watchmuseum.org/museum/international-watch-co-wristwatch-ref-3705-iwc-ref-3705-self-winding-c-8d5800.