In praise of the 3706
Nothing deep to offer here, I just wanted to toss in a little post in praise of the original Fliegerchronograph, which is in a sense my favorite watch in my collection. It's not the most valuable watch I own, by a long shot, and it certainly has less 'hor...
I also own a 3706 ....
And I feel very similarly to you .. It’s not the most expensive watch in my collection, but absolutely one of my favourites and will never leave. ...
Looks great on a grey nato, too!
I've been 'off' natos lately but I might have to give one of those a try.
Thanks !
I usually have it on either the bracelet, or a leather strap - but mix it up every once in awhile
That would make for a nice post.. what watch in your collection makes you wonder why you've wasted..
I'll stop myself right there! For me, it's my gaggle of Seiko watches. It's the lens through which I evaluate the value aspect of our hobby. Thank God for other aspects!!! I've always liked the 3706. From an IWC pov, my 3706 equivalent would be a Mark XV ...
Definitely stop there! (But I'm gonna go there eventually)
Agreed about that era of IWC. I've currently got one other from the same period: Just another 7750, I suppose, but from a construction standpoint, this Aquatimer feels even more impressive than the 3706. (But I still don't love it as much) ...
I also have this watch. There is something about this watch...
That I could not find in the current IWC watches. Classic size, built like a tank, super legibility despite many functions and indicators. Timeless design. Even better with the pilot bracelet , which is one of the most comfortable bracelet I know, plus a ...
Exactly! I own the bracelet too.
It's pretty amazing how thin that bracelet is while being so robust. Most modern bracelets from this level of brand (IWC, Omega, Rolex) have that smooth solidity, but are too thick for my taste. This one hits it just right.
Not a 3706 but
I share your feelings about another 7750, my Sinn 103 which I strapped on this week after a long break: Would love to add an IWC at some point but getting a flyback is my no.1 priority when funds allow! ...
The 7750 can be regulated very well
The elabore, chronometer grade in my 103 is one of my most accurate watches, I can wear it for weeks without feeling the need to adjust it. I bet IWC is the same. It looks good too, if a bit too thick. That and the rotor wobble are its most famous (minor)...
The wobble doesn't bother me a bit.
And I've always admired this Sinn! The question is: do I have room in my collection for one when I already own a 3706 and a Speedy?
Obviously, I agree
...the 3706 scratches a significant portion of the WIS-itch. It comes as close as one can get to a Speedy without being a Speedy! But alas, it is not a Speedy. You need BOTH. Stay strong! ...
As I think I told you yesterday:
as long as I have a watch collection, I'll have a Speedy. But I'd keep the 3706 even if I gave up my watch collection!
Lovely piece and great pic(s) - who needs a Daytona?
It is hard to beat the no-nonsense IWC design of the 1990s. My only concern with the 3706 is the rotor wobble of the Valjoux 7750. I owned an IWC GST titanium chrono 3707 w the same movement and found the wobble quite annoying. Maybe this is less of an is...
The wobble is still there.
It definitely is less pronounced than it was in the Portuguese Chronograph I used to own, as you say, because of the heavier case. But I don't dislike the wobble!
I have several 7750 based chronos and the wobble has never been bothersome...
To the point that I always wondered why anyone would even bring it up in a negative way.
At least there is no good reason to avoid a watch with a 7750 especially one with a highly re-worked one... 😉
In the case of IWC, I would choose that movement over they newer in-house 69xxx or 89xxx calibers.
Story is tres belle
You wrote something many of us will ask to ourselves at a day. Why collecting many watches and also expensive watches, while your most beloved watch is the only one you need? We’ll, that’s the best question you can ask yourself. First, we are on a journey...
I suppose that means I should *regret* having gotten this watch!
My restlessness was at least comprehensible to me before.
Quite a beast, this one!
It has the strange characteristic to have the most stable value I have ever seen - second hand, it has been flat for 20 years! Maybe buyers do not keep them for a long time. The combo with the bracelet is top: I nearly pulled the trigger several times.
Understandable!
That one wears a bit too big for me to be happy with it, but looks like it works just fine for you. I did used to own another IWC rattrapante, though... Quite a bit thinner in the manual wind version--this case is no thicker than the 3714's. ...
Here's the same strap on ye beloved 3706...
accompanying me on a train ride from Osaka to Tokyo a couple of summers ago. You're right about the 3712. What an awesome watch. It did not get its due during my ownership. Eventually I sacrificed it for a JLC Geophysic, which I sacrificed for a Lange Sax...
Very nice! Best fliegerchrono they've done in a while. But you know what I'm going to say!
Why get the tribute when you can own the original?
