The Ceramic Fliegerchronograph (ref. 3705) is one of IWC Schaffhausen's iconic models. Now it's been reincarnated in a new case material.
The Fliegerchronograph debuted in two versions when it was released in 1994: the stainless-steel ref. 3706 and the ref. 3705 in a black ceramic case. The company that puts Schaffhausen on the map had already introduced ceramics to its range in 1986.
Back then, a model was released in a case made of this material called the Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Chronograph. The ceramic pilot watches had a short lifespan. The watch didn't attract much attention, and its production life only lasted a few years.
About 1000 pieces were produced, which ended up in private collections and archives. Strange as it my seem, this was only the beginning for the Ceramic Fliegerchronograph, which would become famous and later be nicknamed the "Schwarzer Flieger".
Information began circulating online about a truly rare IWC watch with a design and case material that appeared surprisingly modern after a few decades. People began talking about this model, they began looking for it at auctions and on forums, and collectors who decided to part with it were made offers on a whole other level.
The former IWC director Günter Blümlein managed to sell his chronograph for nearly USD 54 000. That's why IWC decided to do a reissue of this watch in 2021. Once again, the number of pieces is admittedly modest at only 1000. Much has been kept the same, but one thing has been brought up to date to reflect the realities of the times we're living in.
Ceramic has been replaced with Ceratanium: an innovative material first introduced in the IWC Pilot's Watch in 2019. The model we're referring to is the Pilot’s Watch Double Chronograph TOP GUN Ceratanium (IW371815). The ref. 3705 Valjoux 7750 caliber which powered the old model was replaced with the IWC 69380 with a 46-hour power reserve.
It's housed in a 41 mm case, which is a 2 mm increase on the original historic model. Moreover, the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “Tribute to 3705” will be sold exclusively online: on IWC.com, wechat, YNAP and through the official IWC boutique on Tmall.