The Doppelchronograph, or split seconds chronograph, is a a highly complicated watch that was incredibly expensive when new. Model reference 3713.
HOW DO WE DATE THIS WATCH?
We have a brochure for 1999/2000 that shows this model, and it wasn’t long after that the lume on the hands and dial was switched from Tritium to Luminova. We are quietly confident that the watch was made circa 1999.
CONDITION
Reference 3706 was a standard chronograph and looked much like this Doppelchronograph. The case was a few mm smaller, and there was no button for the split chronograph near ten, and it cost $3,995. That was about $2,500 more than an automatic chronograph from say Longines so a considered purchase. But if you wanted the Doppelchronograph like we have here, you would need $7,995 – a 100% increase and just a little more expensive than a yellow gold Audemars Piguet Ultra Thin!
Although the base ebauche for the calibre 79230 movement is the Valjoux 7750, it would be hard to recognise it given the level of finishing and the extra module IWC fitted. The screws are all blued, you have 29 jewels instead of the standard 25 and it is all behind an antimagnetic cover underneath the screw down case back. All this specification doesn’t make this a slim watch, but the proportions work. The quick set day wheel is in English. All functions are working well. The case has very minor marks, but they are there. The sapphire crystal is unmarked. The leather strap is a used IWC item, with plenty of life still in it, and the original buckle is still attached. The watch is signed on the dial, case, movement, crown, buckle and strap.
This watch will be supplied with an IWC service box (we have some papers from that service but they say very little) and our Certificate of Authenticity and cleaning cloth.
This watch has been checked against the Watch Register and has not been reported as lost, stolen or implicated in fraud, and a copy of that certificate will also be included.
Please see the HD video for more detail. All photos and videos are part of the description and are of the actual watch unless mentioned. We do not photoshop any pictures, and the images are copyright of birthyearwatches.com and should not be used without permission.
SIZE
Width with crown 46.2 mm
Width without crown 42.2 mm
Between lugs 21 mm
Lug to lug length 50.9 mm
Case Thickness 16.2 mm
All sizes are approximate. The watch is photographed on a wrist of 190mm/7.5 inches.
Included with this watch is a 3 month guarantee and free delivery to UK addresses. If you live outside the UK we can still deliver to most countries. Please see our Worldwide Shipping information, or Contact Us. Payment can be made by most credit or debit cards, bank transfer or PayPal.
From 1st September 2021 we will be planting a tree for every watch we sell, working with the International Tree Foundation (Est 1922) to make this business positive on carbon. By buying anything pre owned you are effectively reusing what already exists, but this takes it further and makes us feel good.
