I am one of a handful of fanatics for the IWC Porsche Design Titan
chronograph. Sharing some stories here, I find several casual admirers too.
There have been a few threads that provide a glimpse into the history of the
model, but much of it based on observations and guessing. It's difficult to
know if historical facts about the Titan simply weren't considered important
enough to record, or if records haven't been made available for a reason
(maybe IWC doesn't look fondly on their partnership with Porsche Design)? This
leaves a curious fan and collector like me having to assemble a collection of
observations and guesses in an attempt to understand the history of the Titan.
I prepared a very unofficial history of the IWC Porsche Design Titan for my
personal use. I hesitated to share my "collection of information" because I
cannot cite all my sources, and cannot confirm fact versus guesswork. My hope
is by disclosing that my observations may not be factual, I can share what I
believe about the Titan and encourage others to discuss the history they
believe. Perhaps some hard facts will come forward. Maybe some will spot an
error or simply disagree with an observation and offer what they know or heard
or read. Resources may surface. Ultimately, perhaps the collection of thoughts
here will unravel the mystery of someone's personally owned Titan, and foster
a greater appreciation for this amazing watch.
The Beginning
Some of the history of the origin of the Titan has already been discussed here
and elsewhere, but I'll present a brief overview.
Ferdinand Alexander Porsche founded the Porsche Design company (separate from
the car company) in 1972. Porsche Design partnered with IWC in 1977. The Titan
chronograph was available for purchase in 1980, but delivery of the first
watch was not until April 1981.
According to a 1980 advertisement by Tourneau in New York, U.S.A., the first
500 watches were engraved with a special Limited Edition number. This appeared
on the back of the case above the serial number. An option was offered to have
the owners name engraved on a link of the bracelet.
The Titan was produced from 1980 to 1997, when the 20 year partnership between
IWC and Porsche Design ended. There were some variations of the Titan over
that period. To further complicate pinpointing the version of a specific
Titan, bracelets and dials were upgraded (especially on early models) when
they were sent to IWC for service.
As far as I can tell, variations include two date indicators, two movements,
three reference numbers, five bracelets, and six dials.
Date Indicators
In 1981 (first year), the date was printed in black on a white disk. From 1982
to the end of production, the date was printed in white on a black disk,
matching the day display.
Movements
From 1981 to 1987, the movement (Valjoux 7750 with 25 jewels and adjustments
for temperature, isochronism and five positions) was the IWC caliber 790, and
was nickel plated (silver color). From 1988 to the end of production in 1997,
the movement was gilded (gold color). I have seen the IWC caliber as 7912, but
I'm not sure if there were others during this period.
Reference Numbers
The first reference of the Titan was 3700, and the number was engraved inside
the case back. Some early examples do not have a reference number engraved.
The 3700 continued to 1987.
In 1988, the reference number changed to 3702, and coincided with a change to
the bracelet link design and the movement. The 3702 continued to 1991.
In 1992, the reference number changed to 3704, again coinciding with a change
to the bracelet link design (but the movement remained unchanged as far as I
know). This continued through the end of production in 1997.
Bracelets
In 1981, the bracelet links were of a single pin design that interlocked with
the link next to it. The bracelet length was adjustable via a ratcheting
system in the clasp. The curved blades of the clasp were wide and thin. The
clasp is engraved "IWC." The link attached to the case at 6 o'clock had
"TITAN" engraved on it. The link below it was engraved "PORSCHE DESIGN." Both
have their letters painted black. The link at 12 o'clock featured a
personalized name engraved if the owner opted to do it. I have seen only one,
shared elsewhere in this forum (does DOUG SYLVESTER ring a bell?). The
connection of the bracelet to the case has screws mounted sideways (right and
left) and can be turned a quarter of a turn at a time with a pin inserted into
one of the four holes in the screwhead (hard to explain!).
In 1982, the link connecting the bracelet to the case has screws that can be
accessed from the top (much easier access). The clasp, still engraved "IWC,"
is no longer adjustable. The blades of the clasp are more narrow and thicker
than the year before. The single-pin link design is unchanged. The link
engraved "Porsche Design" was removed (and the name moved to the dial). This
bracelet version is used until 1987.
In 1988, the bracelet links were redesigned to a double-pin connection. IWC
included a tool with new watches to facilitate link removal. The previous
single-pin design proved to be subject to wear, and bracelets could break or
separate at a worn link. The clasp design is unchanged, but different
engravings begin to appear: "IWC," "pd (stylized logo)," and "IWC PORSCHE
DESIGN" make appearances. I have read that the clasp engraving depended on the
market in which the Titan was sold, and corresponded to the company that had a
greater presence in that market. Also, by 1988, other watch companies had
developed methods of working with titanium, and watches made from titanium
were no longer as exclusive as they had been when the Titan chronograph was
introduced. Therefore, the link with "TITAN" engraved on it no longer appeared
on new watches from 1988 through 1997. The case back on many reference 3702
models shows "PORSCHE DESIGN BY IWC" engraved in block letters. The bracelet
link design with two pins was in production through 1991.
In 1992, the bracelet links were updated a final time, to a more standard
attachment method: pins were driven through the side of the link, and through
a sleeve in the connecting link. Again IWC included a tool with new watches to
facilitate link removal. The link design remained unchanged through the end of
production in 1997. However, there were two clasp variations offered
concurrently. New watches from the factory came equipped with clasps that were
adjustable while wearing on the wrist. These micro adjustments were intended
to facilitate a better fit for times when a wearer's wrist expanded or
contracted. The other version of this bracelet were the "replacement"
bracelets that had the same non-adjustable clasp as the reference 3702. I have
seen replacement bracelets with adjustable clasps on older Titans, so I'm not
entirely certain if the adjustable clasp models were available as replacements
(perhaps at a higher cost)?
Dials
In 1981, 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.
In 1982, 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.
In 1983, a collector favorite known as "full signatures" 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 continued on new watches until about 1985. It also served as the
replacement dial for older dial versions. I don't know if older dials were
replaced due to degraded tritium markers, or if IWC simply wanted to update
the look of older models?
Around 1986, the dial dropped the "pd" logo from beneath the "PORSCHE DESIGN"
block letters.
In 1988, 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.
Around 1995 or 1996, dials show 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.
That completes my observations of the IWC Porsche Design Titan chronograph. I
hope this was interesting and/or helpful to fanatics and admirers who are
trying to understand a little about the Titans they own or see elsewhere. If
any readers have constructive disagreements or observations to share, I
encourage you to share!
One of the things that still puzzles me: on this very forum, one of the
contributors alluded to a German advertisement that suggested Titan watches
were available to European customers directly from IWC, and that the first 500
were engraved with the Limited Edition number. It was mentioned that the
prefix "E-" was engraved on the European watches, and that the watches
engraved with an "A-" prefix were for the American market.
My questions and concerns: were there 1,000 watches total, 500 engraved with
an "A-" prefix and an additional 500 engraved with an "E-" prefix? Or were
there only 500 total? I would be upset as a customer to think there were
another 500 "first" examples in another part of the world. Plus, I have never
seen a photo of a Titan with an "E-" prefix. Does anyone have a photo of one?
The other "oddity" I discovered was this: a seller from Germany offered his
personally owned Titan on the big auction site recently. It was a reference
3700 and came with an old burgundy colored case as the early ones did. It had
a 1981 dial but the date was 1982 or later. It also had a replacement bracelet
from 1992 or later (pins through the side and an adjustable clasp). The case
serial number was early (2 278 437), and above the serial number was the
Limited Edition engraved number A-329. The paperwork included with the auction
showed a signed confirmation from IWC that the watch was delivered to Porsche
in Salzburg Austria on April 30, 1981. Why would a European-delivered Titan
with a Limited Edition engraving have an "A-" prefix instead of an "E-"
prefix?
I really want to see a picture of the E-prefix!
