IWC Ceramic Fliegerchronograph

About this reference

The IWC Ceramic Fliegerchronograph reference 3705 was produced between approximately 1994 and 1998. It is historically significant as the first pilot’s watch from IWC to utilize a black zirconium oxide ceramic case, a departure from the standard steel used in the concurrent reference 3706. The watch features a 39mm case housing the caliber 7922, a modified Valjoux 7750 automatic movement. Collectors value the reference for its tritium dial, matte finish, and low production volume, with estimates suggesting fewer than 2,000 units were manufactured. On the secondary market, prices typically range from $15,000 to $25,000 depending on condition and the presence of original documentation. A notable provenance includes the personal 3705 owned by former IWC director Günter Blümlein, which sold at auction in 2021 for $53,750, highlighting the premium placed on well-documented examples of this early ceramic model.