Horological Meandering

Already for some years (for over 10 years I think), I wanted to have the IWC 3712.  It always stayed at my whish list, but for I don't know what reason, I never bought it. Until last week.

The first impression is very positive, keeping good time, good proportions and a nice although simple complication. Again an absolute keeper.

br,
Dirk

I really don't get why it didn't have the success it deserves...

Congratas and enjoy!

Best,

Nicolas

Congrats! Mind sharing via PM how much you paid for this beauty? Thanks

First of all, my sincere congratulations for this classic timepiece! I was puzzled to read your description of the rattrapante as "simple complication". Can it be that this forum with all its talks about state-of-the-art complex pieces, ultra-dimensional tourbillons in trans-flexitive subspace cages spoiled us so much that we consider a leap second mechanism as "simple"? For more than a century, this mechanism has been ranked among the most challenging ones, and therefore was an obligatory component of every true "grande complication". Therefore, I hope you will love your wonderful watch as a complex one, even if Richard Habring succeeded in developing a mechanism that is easier to service and more reliable in everyday use than many other, traditionally built pieces.

Regards,
Marcus
This message has been edited by Marcus Hanke on 2009-10-20 07:02:10 This message has been edited by Marcus Hanke on 2009-10-20 07:03:25

I certainly do not underestimate Richard Habrings work for IWC. It was indeed the first "affordable" real rattrapante on the market. You can be sure I will appreciate the watch for what it is!

And thanks again for you nice words.

br,
Dirk

tourbillons were to classical tourbillons.

It made them easier and less expensive to produce and adjust; it industrialized the basic concept.

TM

... if I think of the mechanisms developed by Franck Muller for UN (Chronograph Berlin), or by Chronoswiss, or then Rochat and Jaquet-Baume, or GP- all these are aside the Habring construction for IWC  .... are they really all that simple and industrialised? What is the real difference with, for example, this Venus 190?





Of course I agree with your industrialised vs. hand-made remarks, but, nevertheless, I do not consider a leap-second chronograph to be a "simple" complication. Well, I do not even consider a standard chronograph as simple.

Regards,
Marcus

Here are some shots of an IWC rattrapante. I didn't have the chance to photograph the pieces while they were spread over the workbench.

While it's nothing like a Datagraph in terms of the architecture, it's an nicely-finished piece with plenty of moving parts.

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...but it is a beautiful execution of the complication.  That IWC is really a lovely, classic looking watch. 

But now I have to go look up that Habring Marcus refers to in this thread. Darn it!.

Congratulations on a wonderful new catch.

respo

great catch, a keeper indeed.

This message has been edited by Goh on 2009-10-20 16:50:57

What a handsome watch!  I love the proportions and the highly legible dial.  This is one of IWC's best offerings IMO.  It manages to be both elegant and sporty, without becoming muddled stylistically.  Fantastic!

Enjoy your new beauty!

Cheers,
Daos

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Maybe my fav Portugaise !

Fr.Xavier

... i think it will be even nicer with a light brown, or sandy beige strap. It will go well with the dial and the arabic numbers. As u so well put it, its a keeper. The proportions of this watch is so stricking. Maybe the nicest feature, and so hard to find these days, trying comparing to other models )

KArim