Introduction
The Porsche Design Compass Watch ref. 3510 harks back to a turbulent time for the Swiss watch industry. It was born in 1978, during the height of an economic crisis that threatened to dismantle the Swiss watch industry.
At a time when mechanical watches were eclipsed overshadowed by battery-powered alternatives, IWC partnered with Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, father of the iconic Porsche 911 and grandson of Ferdinand Porsche and, to create something radically different and keep IWC afloat in an uncertain world. The result was a line of sleek, minimalist watches that included the ref. 3510.
IWC used physical vapor deposition, or PVD, a process new to the watch industry at the time to give the sleek and minimalist two-part hardened aluminum case a matte, black finish. On the surface, it’s a sleek Bauhaus-inspired design wristwatch, instantly legible and reminiscent of vintage Porsche gauge clusters which followed the same white on black with pops of red scheme.
Hidden underneath is a compass, revealed by a hinged double-decker case. The compass is fully functional, and the reason for the non-magnetic aluminum case. IWC was even forced to exchange the ferrous rotor bearings, which were enough to disrupt the compass.
More than forty years later, the IWC Porsche Design Compass remains a cult classic. A reminder of confusing times and the transition to modern mechanical watchmaking, and the spirit of collaboration that built Swiss matchmaking. It’s also just good design.
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Grade
V 7.5
Status
Vetted & Approved
Included
Watch Only
Est. value range
$1,500 – $2,500
The Details
Brand
IWC x Porsche Design
Dimensions
39mm x 12mm
Model
Compass Watch
Movement
Automatic cal. 375
Reference
3510
Bracelet
Leather strap
Year
Circa 1980
Condition
Good
Material
Aluminum PVD
Included
Watch only
Dial Color
Black
THE DISPLAY
Boasting a blacked-out design through its black dial and PVD-coated aluminum case, the ref. 3510's display and overarching aesthetic is sleek, light on the wrist, and under-the-radar.
THE DESIGN
Made from PVD-coated aluminum, the Compass watch's black case is an incredibly sleek hinged design that adds a unique layer to its design aesthetic. However, most importantly, aluminum's anti-magnetic properties allow the compass to operate as intended.
TIMING MACHINE READOUT
This reading was taken (crown down) with a ONEOF Accuracy Boutique Edition timing machine at time of cataloging. It is provided as a courtesy only, and shall not be construed as a warranty or guarantee of any kind. Please refer to our terms and conditions of sale for more information.
Condition
The watch is in overall good condition. The black PVD-coated case, while well defined, shows chips in the finish across the case, bezel, and lugs. The glass section of the case back is very clean, with crisp compass markings, though the PVD-coated surfaces display scratches and chips. The winding crown also shows wear to the finish. The dial retains its crisp text and cross-hair feature, but the surface shows scratches and signs of degradation. The lume has darkened and is mostly missing, and the hands have lost their lume. The watch is fitted with a generic brown strap with a steel buckle, both in excellent condition.
Our Perspective
An incredibly revolutionary watch for its time, the IWC Porsche Design Compass Watch tackled new fronts for horology that no watchmaker would dare tackle during the peak of the Quartz Crisis. Not only was the timepiece mechanical, but it was also featured a new design aesthetic, new functions, new manufacturing techniques, and an entirely new material.
Eric Ku
Co-founder
