IWC Pilot's Watch Chronograph Mechaquartz
The Pilot's Watch Chronograph Mechaquartz (Fliegerchronograph Ref. 3740) is a pilot's watch chronograph produced by IWC from 1988 through 1992.
Overview
The legendary IWC Mark XI aviator's watch was a "cult watch". Produced from 1948 until the early eighties, the Mark XI was never available to the public. Sensing an opportunity in the 1990s, IWC introduced a civilian version in 1993, the Mark XII. But this was not the first civilian "flieger" from IWC. In 1988 the company introduced this Pilot's Watch Chronograph Mechaquartz model, with styling from the Mark XI and the innovative Mechaquartz movement from IWC sister company, Jaeger-LeCoultre.
The "Fliegerchronograph" was quite unusual for the time, since the chronograph subdials added distraction to a dial that was designed for simplicity. For this reason, the markings are quite restrained, with no circular dial around the running seconds at 6:00, simple markings on the subdials at 3:00 and 9:00, and lume only at 3, 6, 9, and the familiar triangle at 12. The hands are simple sticks too, with a point on the end of the minutes hand. The only out of place element is the date window at 4:30, with a white background contrasting with the black dial.
The Ref. 3740 was released for sale in 1989 and produced through 1992 when it was updated as Ref. 3741. It used IWC's Cal. 631, one of the first analog quartz chronograph movements. The case maintained the 36 mm dimensions familiar on the Mark XI, though a thicker bezel gives a smaller dial overall. It was usually made of brushed stainless steel, though yellow gold versions were also available. It is 10.2 mm thick and is water resistant to 60 meters with a solid caseback etched with "IWC" and "Der Fliegerchronograph". The Fliegerchronograph was available with a leather strap or metal bracelet similar to the Mark XI.
The Mechaquartz chronograph was replaced by mechanical chronograph models, the Doppelchronograph first in 1993 and then the Pilot's Watch Chronograph, Ref. 3705 in 1994.
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