At IWC, Günther Blümlein, the legendary technical director, in the early 1990s asked Richard Habring to think outside the box to create a caliber for the brand that could withstand the tolerance required by a split-seconds mechanism. Starting with the robust ETA 7750 chronograph movement, with its automatic winding system removed, the resulting base movement was thinner. A split seconds mechanism needed to be developed that would fit onto this modified caliber 7750, and Habring studied a Heuer pocket watch with split seconds housing a Valjoux 9 caliber. Doing away with the column wheel, he created a split seconds module thin enough to fit on top of the caliber 7750.

IWC’s new split seconds chronograph was named the Pilot Doppel Chronograph, the reference 3711, and was launched in 1992 with the caliber 79030 as the brand's first serially produced split-seconds chronograph watch. It was the progenitor of a long line of distinguished tools watches that followed. The model was produced from 1993-1995 in stainless steel, yellow gold, and platinum. The watches were offered with black, white, and brown matte dials, along with calendars in English, German, Italian, and French. The present model is a rarely seen reference 3711-03 in yellow gold with black matte dial and English calendar. Preserved in excellent condition with sharp hallmarks, it is offered complete with an additional Italian calendar ring, as well as the original IWC Certificate of Authenticity dated December 6, 1993.