No Reserve
8091
IWC
Ref. 3529
Ocean BUND Combat Diver
An iconic titanium military diver’s wristwatch with center seconds, date and bracelet
Estimate
HK$40,000 - 80,000•︎
€4,400 - 8,800
$5,100 - 10,300
Lot Details
Manufacturer
IWC
Year
Circa 1980s
Reference No
3529
Case No
2'388'691 and "BUND 6645-12-197-8096"
Model Name
Ocean BUND Combat Diver
Material
Titanium
Calibre
Automatic, cal. 37521, 21 jewels
Bracelet/Strap
Titanium IWC bracelet, endlink stamps “6645-12-197-8449”
Clasp/Buckle
Titanium IWC deployant clasp
Dimensions
42.5mm diameter
Signed
Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
Accessories
Accompanied by IWC service invoice and additional strap.
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
- In the 1970s, IWC was commissioned by the German Federal Armed Forces to develop a series of highly reliable and durable service watches. The watches were to be distributed to military divers, hence, the anti-magnetic properties of IWC watches were one of the deciding criteria, as well as the titanium case that could provide prolonged use for diving missions. There were six references released, and in 1984 the reference 3501 was the first Ocean BUND to be delivered to the German Federal Armed Force. Different references of the diver’s watches were delivered to different units, and amongst all the released references, the reference 3529 was assigned to attack divers.
- These military diver’s watches were a collaborative work between IWC and Porsche Design. They were not only eye-catching pieces, instead, they were designed in accordance with military specifications. IWC with a long history of outstanding watchmaking, and Porsche Design with a unique perspective in design, developed such watches with industrial and modern looks that excel in underwater tasks, achieving 300m water resistance and providing great durability.
- The Reference 3529 presented has an orange-red minute hand, indicating it is not the civilian version. While some variants of the military watch uses tritium, this present watch dial uses Super-LumiNova luminous material as the dial does not have the “3H” marking for tritium ones. The 13-digit engraving is the NATO Stock Number, which further shows that the watch is manufactured to military specifications, and is a standardized material item within the NATO military supply system.
- The automatic models of the Ocean BUND watches are very rare as the total number produced are at an estimate of 150 units. Being a tool watch and kept in excellent overall condition, this watch is definitely an attractive item sought after by IWC and Porsche Design followers as well as military gear collectors.
- These military diver’s watches were a collaborative work between IWC and Porsche Design. They were not only eye-catching pieces, instead, they were designed in accordance with military specifications. IWC with a long history of outstanding watchmaking, and Porsche Design with a unique perspective in design, developed such watches with industrial and modern looks that excel in underwater tasks, achieving 300m water resistance and providing great durability.
- The Reference 3529 presented has an orange-red minute hand, indicating it is not the civilian version. While some variants of the military watch uses tritium, this present watch dial uses Super-LumiNova luminous material as the dial does not have the “3H” marking for tritium ones. The 13-digit engraving is the NATO Stock Number, which further shows that the watch is manufactured to military specifications, and is a standardized material item within the NATO military supply system.
- The automatic models of the Ocean BUND watches are very rare as the total number produced are at an estimate of 150 units. Being a tool watch and kept in excellent overall condition, this watch is definitely an attractive item sought after by IWC and Porsche Design followers as well as military gear collectors.
Condition Report
IWC
Swiss | 1868With a clear focus on technology and development, the Swiss watch manufacturer IWC Schaffhausen has been producing timepieces of lasting value since 1868. The company has gained an international reputation based on a passion for innovative solutions and technical ingenuity. One of the world's leading brands in the luxury watch segment, IWC crafts masterpieces of haute horlogerie at their finest, combining high precision with masculine design. Vintage wristwatches such as the oversized Portugieser, Aquatimer, Ingenieur and the B-UHR pilots watch are especially desirable for collectors.