IWC Doppelchrono - grail content
Discussion
As per the title; I have always wanted this watch and had the standard 3706 flieger for many years as I couldn't seem to ever stretch to the Doppel. I loved the bracelet on the 3706 and wanted it on the 3717 as well but it was never around when I had the money; many other pieces arrived instead of it, I'd get them home and think "crap, I could have had a Doppel for that!"
Westberks (Stuart) pyt me onto this one Watchfinder in Royal Exchange; it was top money but I'd had 3 watches from them this year and brought them some custom elsewhere and they found the deal I was looking for; in fact, they bettered what I expected! Collected today and I'm over the moon. Its size belies the 42mm diameter, it wears smaller, more like a 40mm or less. One of the reasons I sold the 3706 was that even though it was 38-39mm, it wore like a 36mm, too small for my tastes. It's quite tall due to the Habring-designed Doppel module on the 7750 and also the iron case so it has some wrist presence, especially on the bracelet. Tritium has faded beautifully, the dial is incredibly legible and it almost passes for vintage, it has that feel. As ever, the bracelet and the sizing system are an engineering masterpiece. The box is far more impressive than I would have thought, I suppose for many years this was a flagship of the range. I might get a French day wheel for it at some point, proably when it's due a service.
It's 13-14 years old, MY 2000 with full set. Thrilled is an understatement
And a wrist shot with the traditional Doppel split hands showing.. 42mm on 6.75" wrist.
Westberks (Stuart) pyt me onto this one Watchfinder in Royal Exchange; it was top money but I'd had 3 watches from them this year and brought them some custom elsewhere and they found the deal I was looking for; in fact, they bettered what I expected! Collected today and I'm over the moon. Its size belies the 42mm diameter, it wears smaller, more like a 40mm or less. One of the reasons I sold the 3706 was that even though it was 38-39mm, it wore like a 36mm, too small for my tastes. It's quite tall due to the Habring-designed Doppel module on the 7750 and also the iron case so it has some wrist presence, especially on the bracelet. Tritium has faded beautifully, the dial is incredibly legible and it almost passes for vintage, it has that feel. As ever, the bracelet and the sizing system are an engineering masterpiece. The box is far more impressive than I would have thought, I suppose for many years this was a flagship of the range. I might get a French day wheel for it at some point, proably when it's due a service.
It's 13-14 years old, MY 2000 with full set. Thrilled is an understatement
And a wrist shot with the traditional Doppel split hands showing.. 42mm on 6.75" wrist.
I know what you mean, the big squared off hands are odd... but they are great for legibility!
I had the later 3717 Flieger as well as the 3706. I preferred the look of the 3706 biut the size of the 3717; voila, here we are and I get a split seconds chrono which is fun to play with.
I like the Frech date wheel because my 3706 had one; it made it feel more 'Swiss' rather than a Swiss watch made for Americans.
Some may remember I found my 3706 in the incorrect watch box after 7-8 years lost, only found when I went on the selling spree to get my Duometre. I had always though the meter reading block had nicked it, glad I didn't anything stupid like report it!
I had the later 3717 Flieger as well as the 3706. I preferred the look of the 3706 biut the size of the 3717; voila, here we are and I get a split seconds chrono which is fun to play with.
I like the Frech date wheel because my 3706 had one; it made it feel more 'Swiss' rather than a Swiss watch made for Americans.
Some may remember I found my 3706 in the incorrect watch box after 7-8 years lost, only found when I went on the selling spree to get my Duometre. I had always though the meter reading block had nicked it, glad I didn't anything stupid like report it!
Beautiful.
One of my favourite watches, not the newer top gun one, that exact model.
It looks fantastic on the bracelet just as it is. It has a stark, industrial, scientific instrument look about it, it's perfect. I like it on the strap also and it makes it look a very different watch.
IMHO the older IWC flat hand chronos look better than the newer propeller hand watches.
ETA you're all b
ds and i'm jealous. 
One of my favourite watches, not the newer top gun one, that exact model.
It looks fantastic on the bracelet just as it is. It has a stark, industrial, scientific instrument look about it, it's perfect. I like it on the strap also and it makes it look a very different watch.
IMHO the older IWC flat hand chronos look better than the newer propeller hand watches.
ETA you're all b
ds and i'm jealous. Edited by el stovey on Friday 3rd January 20:24
andy_s said:
Habring has gone on to do some good stuff himself with his own brand, a great chrono complication to have and great execution from the more sober IWC era, nice one!
Yep, he's made his own Doppel actually; IWC's 20 year patent on the Doppelchrono has now run out, apparently he's improved it as well. Nice looking piece.yeti said:
andy_s said:
Habring has gone on to do some good stuff himself with his own brand, a great chrono complication to have and great execution from the more sober IWC era, nice one!
Yep, he's made his own Doppel actually; IWC's 20 year patent on the Doppelchrono has now run out, apparently he's improved it as well. Nice looking piece.i did wonder what had happened with this as you were due before crimbo. i agree about the box, it's bloody huge. i bought mine in duty free and trhey were going to forward the box as they couldn't find it (god knows how it almost gets it's own postcode). when they did they delivered it to the plane, at that point i couldn't hide the fact that man maths had kicked in once more as Mrs wasn't aware of my purchase.
it does wear smallish for the 42mm, a bit like the Omega moonwatch in that respect.
health to wear mate.
it does wear smallish for the 42mm, a bit like the Omega moonwatch in that respect.
health to wear mate.
westberks said:
i did wonder what had happened with this as you were due before crimbo. health to wear mate.
Lost in the post - it actually got sent to the wrong address! Fortunately an extremely honest chap in Sussex decided he wasn't the right 'yeti' and sent it straight back to WF who it's fair to say had st a brick when they realised... I collected it when the boutique re-opened Still wearing it and split second timing everything I can; which isn't much. It's a surprisingly useless complication (unless you're at Le Mans or something), but very cool!
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