IW3705. The inside of the caseback

Greetings to all fellow IWC collectors!

I stumbled across a little problem, or rather a puzzle, with my Ceramic Fliegerchronograph i.e. IW3705. I recently had it fully serviced and since I never get to see the insides of the watch I requested some pictures of the movement and the caseback. Just your regular watch nerd, my AD must have thought :)

Anyway, the movement was 7902, as expected. Nothing out of the ordinary there - just a beautifully "simple" workhorse with gold-plated plates and bridges, polished levers and blued screws. However, the inside of the caseback left me puzzled as it had 3706 engraved under the serial number... This is a bit disturbing to me because it's only on the caseback that the serial number is engraved. Is it possible that IWC used the same casebacks for 3705 as they used for the all-stainless-steel 3706? Or did my watch receive a wrong back cover at some point? I do have box and papers and all the serial numbers match, but I am not the original owner and some paranoia is starting to bother me (we all know that there are ways to fake a "full set" watch).

Just a disclaimer - I am not at all worried about the originality of the watch. It is indeed a 3705 with all original IWC parts. Just this crazy bit with the wrong reference number on the inside of the caseback that is usually seen by the watchmakers only.

If you're looking to move it, I'm a happy purchaser!

Are you kidding me? :)

Beautiful Flieger Chronograph

Is there any chance anybody could ask the question to somebody at IWC that could know the answer? I would really appreciate that :)

Some thoughts by comparing to my ref. 3705.

• Cal. 7922 engraved.

• Ref. 3705 engraved.

No ref. number or wrong ref. mumber is allways strange.

Over the years I have spotted some PVD coated ref. 3706.

So, are you sure that your 3706 has a ceramic case ?

I have had a look at my ref. 3705; complete with original box, all papers, invoice included and hang tag.

• cal. 7922 engraved
• ref. 3705 engraved

So I go in my thoughts with Heiko.

Thank you for the info, guys. And for making me even more puzzled ;)
I’m dead sure it’s a 3705. The early ones came with a 7902 caliber as far as I know. So that’s not a problem.

Ivan,

I really like the pairing of a NOMOS strap with the 3705. I believe the strap is one of the newer Dark Brown suede/velour models. However, when I see the sizes available on the NOMOS website, it only shows 17mm choices.

Am I wrong on the strap model and if so, could you please point me to the right reference. My initial thought is the lug size of the 3705/06 is 20mm. Should that be correct and the strap truly is the newer suede/velour offerings, what size did you order ?

Many thanks for any assistance,

Andy

Andy, you are completely correct - this is the newer velour strap in anthracite that Nomos supplies with their Club Campus watches. This particular strap is 20x18 and suits the 3705 much better than it does the Club.

The Nomos webstore is a bit tricky when it comes to straps and buckles. You need to go to Watchstraps› Classics› Velour leather› anthracite to find the strap I have and then you can choose the 20mm size. Just scroll down as not all sizes are visible at first when you open the drop-down menu. Hope this helps and I apologise for discussing another brands products here ;) A photo of my Ingenieur to make up for that :)

Hey Ivan,

Thanks for the informative reply. Your guidance was spot on. Indeed, the drop down menu was the key to finding additional size offerings.

The great news is I found the Anthracite color is available in a 19mm which is not that common. So here's my thinking. I have a MARK XV - White Dial that I am very fond of and would like to give it a new look. I think the Anthracite Velour might create a nice pairing. So Ivan, can I ask for your help in describing it's true color ? My hope is that it has a overall deep Gray hue to it. Also what color is the contrast stitching? I see that this strap also comes in a light gray and beige. Your thoughts please....

Sorry to deviate a bit from the original topic. That said, should you ever find that for any reason the 3705 needs to be adopted by someone who would respect and take excellent care of it, I would like to nominate myself. Love the 3705. It is on my short list of future acquisitions if the opportunity ever arises. Meanwhile, I keep my eyes and ears open...

Andy

Andy, glad to be able to help.

The strap makes a very peculiar impression in the color department. Due to the “hairy” texture the color is very mat. It is definetly grey, but a rather dark shade of grey. Sometimes I even remember it as brownish. The stitching matches the color perfectly but the thread is glossy and thus adds contrast and “limits” the strap. Unlike other distressed straps this one doesn’t get oily and shiny. The sides are painted but seem to be holding up rather well.
I believe it would complement your white-dialed pilot, but my only watch with a white dial is my Pure Classic Portuguese that has 22mm lugs.

Ivan,

Excellent photos, especially the 2nd one. I see what you mean that it is definetly a dark gray but with a hint of brown tone. Really gives a helpful idea of it's true color and can totally understand why you had chosen this for the 3705. The grayish-brown hue is very complimentary to the ceramic case and the contrast stitching supports the Titanium crown/pushers. Well Done !

So after seeing your reply...surprisebut I can't help to ask you a couple more questions that now have come to mind. Do you know how thick (mm) the strap is and if not, do you feel it has
enough "heft" to balance out the thickness of the case? My only concern is the strap is not too delicate looking on the wrist for a IWC Pilot watch. If you are satisfied that it works well with the 3705, then it will certainly work for my Mark XV which is less thick. My XV has a deployant clasp, so like you, I will be utilizing it. From the photos it appears to be working
well..... Any issue's to report ?

Lastly, you mentioned it is a 20x18mm. I will need the 19mm option to handle a 16mm clasp end. Most straps I have encountered come 19x16mm so fingers crossed that will be the outcome.

To all forum members reading this, would very much like your opinions on pairing up this strap as a different look with a MARK XV - white dial. The IWC OEM strap originally was deep brown Buffalo but on the thin side, not like the thickness by any means of that on a Big Pilot.

Again Ivan, many thanks for your assistance and thoughts. Super helpful to making my decision but from all indications I think we might have a winner for my white dial XV.

Andy

I happened to come across your post. The inside of the caseback should definitely be engraved 3705 along with the serial number.

The most likely case with yours is that the case back was replaced at some point for whatever reason - Maybe the threads were bad or it was damaged in it's previous life.

I am back arter a long pause with some clear information that comes from IWC Concierge. 
According to their information my watch’s serial number corresponds to ref. 3705, a ceramic Fliegerchronograph. 
I am going to send in photos of the wrong reference number on the inside of the caseback to see if I can get a written statement from IWC confirming that the watch “was born that way” and hasn’t been manipulated in any way. 

Great news for me - not only is my watch completely original, it’s also unique in a way. 

Nice...
Hey, cool black date wheeles!

Hmm defiitely "unique"

I've never seen black date wheels on a 3705 before in any language option.

I'm sure it can be modded that way though. Did it come with the original white
date wheels?