IWC Pilot's Watch Doppelchronograph

The Pilot's Watch Doppelchronograph (Double Chronograph Ref. 3711 and 3713) is a pilot's watch double chronograph produced by IWC from 1992 through 2005. It was resurrected as the Double Chronograph, Ref. 3799 and 3718 from 2007 to 2011 and the Ref. 3718 in 2018 to present.

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 the Pilot's Watch Chronograph Mechaquartz model, with styling from the Mark XI and the innovative Mechaquartz movement from IWC sister company, Jaeger-LeCoultre.

$IWC Pilot's Watch Doppelchronograph\\ with **IWC 79230** (ETA 7750 base) (click to enlarge!)$
IWC Pilot's Watch Doppelchronograph
with IWC 79230 (ETA 7750 base)
© IWC

In 1992, IWC shocked the world with the first mass-produced doppelchronograph movement. This Pilot's Watch Doppelchronograph used a revolutionary movement designed by Richard Habring on the proven Valjoux 7750 base. The watch was similar in design to the Mechaquartz and previewed the look of the Mark XII that followed a year later. Like its predecessor, the dial was black with white markings. Luminous squares marked 3, 6, and 9, and a luminous triangle was placed at 12. The chronograph registers at 6 and 12 were understated, with a simple white circle around intermittent numerals, and the running seconds at 9 was marked only with simple lines at 5-second intervals and numerals for 20, 40, and 60. The dial was marked “IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN” above the white day and date windows and “DOPPELCHRONOGRAPH AUTOMATIC” below. The case was stainless steel, as were the pushers and crown.

The original Ref. 3711 had a domed sapphire crystal, but this was not in keeping with the styling trends of that decade. In 1996, the Ref. 3713 was introduced with a flat crystal. This would last through the end of production in 2005. The 3713 also had Super Luminova hands rather than tritium. All of these models used the same Cal. 79230 designed by Habring. A “Spitfire” version of the Ref. 3713 appeared in 2003. The original Doppelchronograph went out of production in 2005, but this long run would not be the end of the model.

In 2007, IWC introduced the 46 mm Pilot's Watch Double Chronograph Top Gun, Ref. 3799. It used the same movement as the original and had a similar dial design as well. One notable difference is the “triple” date window at 3 00 which was said to resemble an aircraft altimeter but has proved unpopular with enthusiasts. This also necessitated the move of the “IWC Schaffhausen” text inside the running seconds subdial, replacing the “60”. The Top Gun has a black ceramic case with contrasting titanium pushers and crown. The Top Gun Ref. 3799 was produced until 2011.

Also in 2007, IWC restarted production of the Double Chronograph as Ref. 3718. A new 44 mm case was 17.1 mm thick, and the signature model was the Spitfire. Additional models included “Le Petit Prince”, “Antoine de Saint Exupery”, and “DFB” along with special boutique editions.

In 2012, IWC introduced a new Double Chronograph line, Ref. 3778. These watches feature an updates movement named Cal. 79420, though it remains quite similar to the original. One notable addition is the “triple date” window as seen on the Pilot's Watch Mark XVII. A limited-edition “Patrouille Suisse” model was produced in 2014 with a grey dial. The case now measured 46 mm diameter and 17.5 mm thick.

In 2018, before SIHH 2019, IWC unveiled a new Pilot's Watch Double Chronograph Top Gun. Ref. 3718 features a 44 mm black Ceratanium case and is blacked-out to match The pushers and crown, caseback, and even the hands are black, matching the dial. Dark grey luminous material in the hands and markers provides the only contrast. The strap is made of rubber with a textile inlay. The case is not only smaller than the previous Top Gun, it is also 1 mm thinner at 16.8 mm. As of 2019, this is the only Double Chronograph model listed in the IWC collection.

References:

IW3711-01 (1992-1995) Stainless steel, German day wheel, black dial, black alligator strap
IW3711-02 (1992-1995) Stainless steel, Italian day wheel, black dial, black alligator strap
IW3711-03 (1992-1995) Stainless steel, English day wheel, black dial, black alligator strap
IW3711-04 (1992-1995) Stainless steel, French day wheel, black dial, black alligator strap
IW3711-09 (1992-1995) Yellow gold, German day wheel, white dial, black alligator strap
IW3711-10 (1992-1995) Yellow gold, Italian day wheel, white dial, black alligator strap
IW3711-11 (1992-1995) Yellow gold, English day wheel, white dial, black alligator strap
IW3711-12 (1992-1995) Yellow gold, French day wheel, white dial, black alligator strap
IW3711-13 (1992-1995) Yellow gold, German day wheel, black dial, black alligator strap
IW3711-14 (1992-1995) Yellow gold, Italian day wheel, black dial, black alligator strap
IW3711-15 (1992-1995) Yellow gold, English day wheel, black dial, black alligator strap
IW3711-16 (1992-1995) Yellow gold, French day wheel, black dial, black alligator strap
IW3711-17 (1992-1995) Stainless steel, German day wheel, black dial, bracelet
IW3711-18 (1992-1995) Stainless steel, Italian day wheel, black dial, bracelet
IW3711-19 (1992-1995) Stainless steel, English day wheel, black dial, bracelet
IW3711-20 (1992-1995) Stainless steel, French day wheel, black dial, bracelet
IW3711-21 (1992-1995) Platinum, German day wheel, white dial, bracelet
IW3711-22 (1992-1995) Platinum, Italian day wheel, white dial, bracelet
IW3711-23 (1992-1995) Platinum, English day wheel, white dial, bracelet
IW3711-24 (1992-1995) Platinum, French day wheel, white dial, bracelet
IW3711-25 (1992-1995) Platinum, German day wheel, black dial, black alligator strap
IW3711-26 (1992-1995) Platinum, Italian day wheel, black dial, black alligator strap
IW3711-27 (1992-1995) Platinum, English day wheel, black dial, black alligator strap
IW3711-28 (1992-1995) [Platinum]], French day wheel, black dial, black alligator strap
IW3713-01 (1996-2005) Stainless steel, German day wheel, black dial, black crocodile strap
IW3713-02 (1996-2005) Stainless steel, Italian day wheel, black dial, black crocodile strap
IW3713-03 (1996-2005) Stainless steel, English day wheel, black dial, black crocodile strap
IW3713-04 (1996-2005) Stainless steel, French day wheel, black dial,black crocodile strap
IW3713-09 (1996-2005) Yellow gold, German day wheel, white dial, black crocodile strap
IW3713-10 (1996-2005) Yellow gold, Italian day wheel, white dial, black crocodile strap
IW3713-11 (1996-2005) Yellow gold, English day wheel, white dial, black crocodile strap
IW3713-12 (1996-2005) Yellow gold, French day wheel, white dial, black crocodile strap
IW3713-13 (1996-2005) Yellow gold, German day wheel, black dial, black crocodile strap
IW3713-14 (1996-2005) Yellow gold, Italian day wheel, black dial, black crocodile strap
IW3713-15 (1996-2005) Yellow gold, English day wheel, black dial, black crocodile strap
IW3713-16 (1996-2005) Yellow gold, French day wheel, black dial, black crocodile strap
IW3713-17 (1996-2005) Stainless steel, German day wheel, black dial, bracelet
IW3713-18 (1996-2005) Stainless steel, Italian day wheel, black dial,bracelet
IW3713-19 (1996-2005) Stainless steel, English day wheel, black dial,bracelet
IW3713-20 (1996-2005) Stainless steel, French day wheel, black dial,bracelet
IW3713-21 (1996-2005) Platinum, German day wheel, blue dial, bracelet, limited edition of 150 pieces
IW3713-22 (1996-2005) Platinum, Italian day wheel, blue dial, bracelet, limited edition of 150 pieces
IW3713-23 (1996-2005) Platinum, English day wheel, blue dial, bracelet, limited edition of 150 pieces
IW3713-24 (1996-2005) Platinum, Italian day wheel, blue dial, bracelet, limited edition of 150 pieces
IW3713-25 (2003-2005) “Spitfire” Stainless steel, German day wheel, black dial, bracelet
IW3713-26 (2003-2005) “Spitfire” Stainless steel, Italian day wheel, black dial, bracelet
IW3713-27 (2003-2005) “Spitfire” Stainless steel, English day wheel, black dial, bracelet
IW3713-28 (2003-2005) “Spitfire” Stainless steel, French day wheel, black dial, bracelet
IW3713-29 (2003-2005) “Spitfire” Stainless steel, German day wheel, black dial, black alligator strap
IW3713-30 (2003-2005) “Spitfire” Stainless steel, Italian day wheel, black dial, black alligator strap
IW3713-31 (2003-2005) “Spitfire” Stainless steel, English day wheel, black dial, black alligator strap
IW3713-32 (2003-2005) “Spitfire” Stainless steel, French day wheel, black dial, black alligator strap
IW3713-36 (2003-2005) “Spitfire” Stainless steel, German day wheel, silver dial, bracelet
IW3713-37 (2003-2005) “Spitfire” Stainless steel, Italian day wheel, silver dial, bracelet
IW3713-38 (2003-2005) “Spitfire” Stainless steel, English day wheel, silver dial, bracelet
IW3713-39 (2003-2005) “Spitfire” Stainless steel, French day wheel, silver dial, bracelet
IW3713-41 (2003-2005) “Spitfire” “Spitfire” Stainless steel, German day wheel, silver dial, black alligator strap
IW3713-42 (2003-2005) “Spitfire” “Spitfire” Stainless steel, Italian day wheel, silver dial, black alligator strap
IW3713-43 (2003-2005) “Spitfire” “Spitfire” Stainless steel, English day wheel, silver dial, black alligator strap
IW3713-44 (2003-2005) “Spitfire” “Spitfire” Stainless steel, French day wheel, silver dial, black alligator strap
IW3718-02 (2007-2008) “Spitfire” Stainless steel, silver dial, brown leather strap
IW3718-03 (2005) “DFB” Stainless steel, silver “panda” dial, black leather strap, limited edition of 500 pieces
IW3718-06 (2009-2011) “Spitfire” Stainless steel, silver dial, brown leather strap
IW3718-07 (2015-2016) “Le Petit Prince” Cal. 79420 Stainless steel, blue dial with stars, “triple date” window, no day, brown leather strap, limited edition of 1,000 pieces
IW3718-08 (2016) “Antoine de Saint Exupery” Cal. 79420 Stainless steel, brown dial, brown leather strap
IW3718-10 (2015) “Le Petit Prince Sothebys” Cal. 79420 Rose gold, blue dial with stars, “triple date” window, no day, brown leather strap, unique piece
IW3718-12 (2018) “Latin America Boutique” Cal. 79420 Stainless steel, green dial, brown leather strap, limited edition of 50 pieces
IW3718-13 (2019) “Watches of Switzerland” Cal. 79420 Stainless steel, black dial, black leather strap, limited edition of 50 pieces
IW3718-15 (2018-present) “Top Gun” Cal. 79420 Ceratanium case and pushers, black dial with grey lume, black textile strap
IW3778-01 (2012-2016) Cal. 79420 Stainless steel case, black dial, “triple date” window, riveted black leather strap
IW3778-05 (2014-2016) “Patrouille Suisse” Cal. 79420 Stainless steel case, grey dial, “triple date” window, black textile strap, limited to 250 pieces
IW3799-01 (2007-2011) “Top Gun” Black ceramic case and titanium pushers, black dial, black textile strap

Movement:

Automatic chronograph rattrapante calibre Cal. 79230 or Cal. 79420

Case:

Stainless steel, satinated
Ø 42 mm (3711 and 3713) 44 mm (3718) 46 mm (3778 and 3799)
H 16.2 mm (3711 and 3713) 17.1 mm (3718) 17.5 mm (3778) 17.8 mm (3799)
Screw-down caseback in stainless steel

Dial:

Luminous indexes (triangle at 12 o'clock)
Arabic numerals
Steel hours and minutes hand, coated with luminous color
Painted seconds hands

Functions:

Hours, minutes
Rattrapante chronograph seconds hands
Day and date window at 3 00
Chronograph hours at 6 00
Small seconds at 9 00
Chronograph 30 minute counter at 12 00

Bracelet:

Metal bracelet or leather strap

Production:

Production 1992 - Present
Predecessor IWC Pilot's Watch Chronograph Mechaquartz

Watch Wiki

Table of Contents

IWC Pilot's Watch Doppelchronograph

Overview

See Also