The partnership between IWC and Porsche Design began in 1978, bringing together two companies with distinctly different but complementary approaches to engineering and design. Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, the designer responsible for the original Porsche 911, had established Porsche Design in 1972 with the ambition of applying the principles of functional industrial design to everyday objects. His approach was characterised by a belief that form should follow function, with unnecessary ornamentation eliminated in favour of technical efficiency and purposeful aesthetics. These principles found a natural partner in IWC, whose expertise in precision engineering and innovative materials provided the foundation for a remarkable series of watches. Among the most significant was the Ocean 2000, introduced in 1982. Its titanium construction, integrated bracelet and extraordinary water resistance of 2,000 metres represented a considerable departure from conventional diving-watch design, establishing a new benchmark for the use of advanced materials in professional wristwatches.

This Ocean 2000 ref. 3504 represents a particularly interesting evolution of that original concept, retaining the distinctive 42mm titanium case and the remarkably clean, almost futuristic design that made the model so influential. The rounded case flows seamlessly into its integrated titanium bracelet, while the winding crown is positioned at four o'clock, maintaining the uninterrupted profile of the case. Its black dial features large luminous hour markers and hands, designed for maximum legibility underwater, while the rotating bezel provides the essential functionality expected of a professional diving instrument. Inside is the automatic IWC calibre 3752-1, a reliable movement that complements the watch's robust construction. The Ocean 2000 remains one of the most recognisable products of the IWC and Porsche Design collaboration, combining an uncompromising technical specification with a minimalist aesthetic that continues to feel remarkably contemporary more than four decades after its introduction.