IWC GST Series: Gold, Steel, Titanium Overview

cazalea · 2017-01-02T15:36:43Z

Explore the IWC GST series: Gold, Steel, Titanium. Discover its diverse complications, robust design, and collector insights on Aquatimer, Deep One, and Perpetual Calendar models.

cazalea

WPS member · Horological Meandering forum

12 replies4934 views8 photos

Cazalea's retrospective on the IWC GST series offers a valuable look back at a collection known for its robust design and versatile material options. This article highlights the series' logical naming convention and its diverse range of complications, providing essential context for both seasoned collectors and those new to IWC's history. Cazalea's personal journey through owning multiple GST models underscores the enduring appeal and practical engineering of these watches.

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What do you expect from the only major manufacture on the German side of Switzerland

My recent purchase of an IWC rattrapante (split second chrono) has led me back through the halls of time, remembering my many IWC GST models. For those unfamiliar, or wanting a refresher course, I thought I'd supply a PuristS summary. Using an image painstakingly assembled by myself instead of watching the Rose Parade (thankfully) we see the GST family.

As you can see, most of the lower-end models were available in Gold, Stainless Steel, and Titanium. Gold and SS models could have a silver or white dial. Titanium and SS could have a black dial. All models featured a fantastic bracelet with owner-adjustable links.

An accessory kit allowed the use of a velco strap in place of the bracelet, and later rubber straps were made to fit.

The more expensive watches did not come in gold, perhaps due to the presence of the DaVinci and Portuguese models which already offered the same movements and complications in precious metal cases. Who would need a rugged, water-resistant gold split second chronograph or perpetual? Especially at twice the weight and 3-4 times the price!

IWC made up for this by offering more choices of dial colors, including blue, a gold-yellow-salmon dial, and several choices of silver/white. The perpetual's dials could be had in English, German, Italian and ??

Automatic divers aka Aquatimer offered 1000M (SS) or 2000M (titanium) water resistance

- 37524 calibre based on the ETA 2892A

Alarm models used the upper crown for alarm winding and setting, and the lower crown for watch winding and setting. It had only 30M water resistance.

- 917 based on the JLC 916 movement

Chronograph choices were very extensive:

- 631 calibre is a mecha-quartz movement with Quartz timekeeping and electric hand-moving-motor, allied with a mechanical reset chronograph module, courtesy of JLC.

- 7922 calibre is an automatic, mechanical movement with day and date at three - it's based on the 7750 of course

Perpetual Calendar Moon Phase Chronograph

- 79261 calibre is based on the 7750 with calendar complications by Kurt Klaus

Split-Second Chronograph models

- 79230 calibre based on the 7750 with split module by Richard Habring

Deep One

- 8914 calibre; based on the extra thin JLC 891; the depth gauge was conceived by Richard Habring

I believe that all models originally came on the GST bracelet - made in gold, steel or titanium to match the watch case. Each link was released by an internal pushbutton. These can be easily adjusted by the owner, or even his dog.

Here are the IWC GSTs I seem to have owned over the last 15 years:

Much more could be said, but not by me, at least today. Tell me what YOU know about them -- are there any PuristS who are fans of this line of rugged, reliable watches?

Cazalea

PS - yes, there are more recent watches which could use the same bracelet, but I have separated them from the GSTs for my sanity's sake.

Key Points from the Discussion

The IWC Deep One, a highly engineered and designed offering, was a crown jewel of the GST series, though it has become less visible over time.
While the GST bracelet's adjustment system was innovative, some users, like Cardio, experienced issues with hair pinching due to gaps between links.
IWC designer Kurt Klaus encouraged wearing GST watches, except the Alarm model, to the beach and in salt water, emphasizing their robust design for such conditions.
The titanium GST Alarm model is particularly appealing due to its simple dial, titanium case, and automatic JLC alarm movement.
The GST line is considered by some to be one of IWC's best collections, offering a good compromise in size for various wrist types.
The Prada model, with its unique two-subdial setup, is a surprising and notable variant within the GST chronograph offerings.

The Discussion

Bounce781

Jan 2, 2017

Thank you for the summary. I am starting to look at the GST Perpetual so this is VERY timely. Happy New Year

Esharp

Jan 2, 2017

The perpetual calendar chronograph in salmon or silver dial is a beauty. A friend had the titanium diving watch - it never really gelled with me (my little foibles of dial text and date windows) but was nonetheless a lovely piece of Swiss-German engineering. Best E.

Cardio

Jan 2, 2017

Thank you for this genealogical mapping of this series. I have kept publications from IWC on this series when it appeared from some time ago. One of the watches missing from the mapping is the Deep One (version 1). It was, in my recollection, one of the most outrageously engineered and designed new offering by IWC then, and was the crown jewel of this series. They have become less visible of late, and I wonder why. In any case, while the bracelet adjustment system was innovative--an advancement

cazalea

Jan 2, 2017

Might be the appropriate response, eh? I too have had multiple Porsche Design watches and found them comfortable but awkward to adjust. I have occasionally had a pinch with my GST bracelets but I've had almost exclusively the titanium watches, and find them more comfortable than the two steel ones I owned. I haven't had the pleasure of wearing a Gold GST. I did have the chance to discuss my GST perpetual with Kurt Klaus once, and he encouraged me to wear it to the beach and into the ocean. He sa

Cardio

Jan 2, 2017

Ha! Yes of course. The subjectivity of comfort. Thanks to Klaus's comments but unfortunately, the only GST I have is the alarm in titan! And I keep my watches from beach, sand and salt water if I can help it.

gcTIME

Jan 3, 2017

Imho the GST is still one of the best collections, if not the best collection, of the brand. Their sizes are also the best compromise between old school and avant garde. Any wrist can carry a GST reasonably comfortably and stylishly.

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IWC GST Series: Gold, Steel, Titanium Overview

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