Bitten by the bug....... Intro and new shoes for my 3714-45

Forum post

Hi all,

Just wanted to introduce myself, long time lurker second time poster yada yada......

I'm a recent member of the IWC owners club having received a nearly new unworn Portuguese Chrono 3714-45 as a 30th birthday gift from my wife (I made sure she knew what to get me ;)

After some initial concern over its legitimacy I am now certain it is the real article and after a couple of months of it being hidden in the house somewhere (we bought it before my actual birthday and my wife didn't trust me not to play with it!) I am loving it dearly!

I love the brand for its mostly understated luxury/quality and also it's slightly different designs when pitted against many rival brands and of course the history. I also like that most people haven't heard of it as for me owning a decent watch is for me any only me, it's not a means to show off although I have nothing against those who wish to do so!

I am not really interested in movements, I'm more of a design focused person so the ETA movement of my watch doesn't bother me, I simply think it is one of the most beautiful watches I've ever seen and I plan to keep it for many years. I used to be in the military and didn't have the opportunity to wear this kind of watch opting instead for a rugged and reliable Breitling Colt Quartz 2, which I still own.

I feel that this may be the start of a long love affair between Shaffhausen and myself and am already looking into my next IWC!

I have enjoyed may of your posts over the last few weeks and will continue to do so.

Below I have shared some pics of my beauty on a rubber strap that I picked up to wear on summer holiday as I didn't want to ruin my lovely black alligator! What do you think? I'm quite happy with the look.

Louie

[](s51.photobucket.com/user/cmlewis85/media/Watch/image.jpg1_zpsum6fqjbl.jpg.html)

[](s51.photobucket.com/user/cmlewis85/media/Watch/image.jpg2_zpsypqcye2a.jpg.html)

[](s51.photobucket.com/user/cmlewis85/media/Watch/image.jpg3_zpsacwzlz9u.jpg.html)

[](s51.photobucket.com/user/cmlewis85/media/Watch/image.jpg4_zpsr4gwy9ku.jpg.html)

I hope the pictures upload ok!

Hi Louie,

welcome to the forum and the virus and congratulations on your IWC classic.
I like the combination, especially for summer it is a great choice to have the rubber strap. Nice picures as well, the perfect watch and a perfect background.
Enjoy!!!!

Welcome and big congratulations on that beautiful watch.
Indeed a perfect backgrounnd.
And the rubber strap will help save the Alligator and reminds a bit on the Sportuguese Yacht Club.

welcome, and whilst a non standard strap change it's certainly only making an already nice watch stand out even more!

Perfect backdrop to what is a classic and elegant IWC.

Wear in good health.

Hi, Louie

I am looking for a replacement strap for my watch.
May I ask where did you find this rubber strap for your 3714? It looks perfect on it.
Thank you

Yujun

Lovely IWC! Welcome!

Congrats and welcome from behind the lurking scenes Louie!

That is one clean looking watch!

Welcome! Cool formula: strap + watch + background = Virus!

Cheers Chris

Firstly congratulation on the new beautiful addition to your household. Please allow me to ask who you refer to as "most people"! As far as I know, IWC is one of the most recognized brands in the World having a history far more than wrongly popular Rolex! People who know watches, do know IWC. It is certainly a status symbol and the model you chose is (in my humble opinion) one of the best models which still looks very beautiful, classy, yet modern since its introduction in 1939.

I have to add one more comment about this statement too if you don't mind. I know you are not a guy in to movements but having a bit of knowledge about them would not hurt. Firstly ETA is manufacturer of movement for many luxury brands and it is a good sign if a watch has an ETA movement not a bother certainly . In my view, not all in-house movements are better than ETA. There are some in-house movements that I wonder why they are still produced as they are just rubbish compared to some ETA movements.

Secondly IWC and some other luxury brands that use ETA do not just get the movement out of the box and shovel it in the case straight away! As for IWC, they make so many changes and modifications to the movements and replace many components that you can safely say it is an in-house movement rather than ETA. This is why they say "ETA based movement "and NOT "ETA movement".

I am sure you will start appreciating importance of movements as you get more familiar with watches and different brands. For now, I think you have made an excellent choice and I hope you have many happy hours with it. The rubber strap looks good too.

Cheers

Hi, Louie

I am looking for a replacement strap for my watch.
May I ask where did you find this rubber strap for your 3714? It looks perfect on it.
Thank you

Yujun[/QUOTE]

Hi Yujun, got the strap here www.watchgecko.com , not sure if they still stock it.

Hi Farzin, thanks for your comment. In the Uk I would not say that IWC is a particularly well known brand outside of watch lover circles and this is what I was refering to. I like the fact that mostly only watch guys\girls recognise it whereas everybody out there has heard of Rolex/Tag/Omega etc.

Hi Louie

Thanks, I am a Londoner too but emigrated to Switzerland a few years ago. You are correct as the layman knows mostly Rolex and Omega. Perhaps London being a cosmopolitan city might be a bit different as people are more aware of brands.

By the way I liked this website you shared with us. they have nice looking watch bands at a reasonable price. I am glad you had a good experience with them. Sometimes sites such as Aliexpress have fantastic pictures but the quality is poor when the item arrives. So it is always good to know an alternative.

Cheers mate