Review the IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition ‘Tribute To 3705’ Replica

Review the IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition ‘Tribute To 3705’ Replica

The original IWC Fliegerchronograph Keramik Ref. 3705 replica performed like a true stealthy pilot’s watch: It flew right under the radar of watch enthusiasts the world over. After a few years of just 1,000 examples navigating the IWC catalogs, the 3705 disappeared on the horizons, only to now re-appear in the form of the IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “Tribute to 3705” replica IW387905, and that’s the watch we have in for review for you today.

The IWC 3705 Replica

The IWC Reference 3705 replica was IWC’s first Pilot’s Watch replica in black zirconium oxide ceramic. That novel and early use of black ceramic, and the fact that it has gone under without anyone really recognizing it for what it was, renders it quite a fascinating watch. Its stainless steel equivalent, the IWC replica Ref. 3706 and its subsequent iterations have carried on the compact pilot’s watch theme, but there had not been a true continuation of the black Fliegerchronograph until just now, with the launch of IWC reference IW387905 replica. Yeah, this one is going to be heavy with reference numbers.

41 MM Ceratanium Case

The new tribute edition is pretty faithful to the original in terms of design but instead of using ceramic, it features a case made of Ceratanium, a proprietary material developed by IWC replica. 

The case of new IWC Pilot’s watch replica is 41 mm in diameter and 15.3 mm in thickness, not exactly thin but, hey, this is a Big Pilot! As you can see from the wrist shots, the watch sits very nicely on the average wrist.

Case, screw-in crown, chronograph pushers and pin buckle are made of Ceratanium. Developed by IWC, this material combines the advantages of titanium and ceramic in a new blend: lightweight and unbreakable as titanium and at the same time as hard and scratch-resistant as ceramic. 

To achieve this results, the case components are machined from a special titanium alloy. Afterwards, the parts are treated in a furnace firing process, during which a phase transformation takes place, and the surface of the material assumes properties similar to ceramic. The patented material also offers excellent skin compatibility, a high degree of corrosion-resistance and a matte black colour. And it is also pleasantly silky to the touch. 

Black Dial

The black dial of new IWC replica IW387905 has a matte finish with a layout that is a faithful replica of the 1994 original, including the truncated hour hand, a distinctive trait of that model. It features two totalizers at 9 (hours) and 12 o’clock (minutes) that display stop times of up to 12 hours. A 6 o'clock, a third sub-dial indicates the running seconds. The day and date apertures at 3 o’clock complete the ensemble. 

The hour and minute hands, just like the 3, 6, 9 and 12 o'clock hour markers, are coated with Super-LumiNova for improved visibility in poor light conditions. 

A very-IWC thing worth mentioning is this little detail in the spec sheet: the sapphire crystal is “secured against displacement by drops in air pressure.” As useless this feature is in my non-fighter-pilot life, it’s this attention to detail that separates a pilot-watch-looking-watch from a Pilot’s Watch my fighter-pilot-wannabe self appreciates.

IWC’s Caliber 69380

The IWC ref.3705 replica was also powered by the Valjoux 7750 movement and has that typical dial layout. Subcounters at 12 (minutes), 9 (hours), and 6 (seconds) o’clock and a day and a date aperture at 3 o’clock. Now, this IWC “Tribute to 3705” has the same dial layout but powered by an in-house developed IWC chronograph movement with a column-wheel mechanism. IWC’s caliber 69380 has a power reserve of 46 hours and ticks at 28,800vph (~4Hz).

Black Strap

Made in Austria, the strap feels like a quality item from its oily black surface right down to how the black stitching neatly follows the taper of both straps. It’s precisely the sort of leather that will react well to some care by its owner to lengthen its life. 

Price

As written above, the IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph “Tribute to 3705” replica reference 387905 can only be ordered online via the official IWC website. The production is limited to 1000 pieces, and each number will have its unique number engraved on the case back. The retail price of this IW387905 watch is €13,000. 

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