IWC/Porsche Design Ocean 2000 Ref. 3504 (Civilian Model)

It's been several weeks since I received this IWC/Porsche Design Ocean 2000 ref. 3504.  It's in fantastic condition and seems to have been serviced and brought back to original specs not too long ago.  Its condition can arguably pass for NOS; it's that clean.

This is the civilian version of the Ocean 2000.  I've added it to my growing stable of Ocean 2000 divers.  I have two Ocean Bund diver's watches, the military version issued to German Kampfschwimmers (Combat Swimmers) in the 1980s and into the 1990s.  Both are ref. 3529.

The difference between the civilian and the military versions are that the civilian version has a plain bezel vs a black bezel, a domed sapphire crystal vs a flat sapphire crystal; an all white minute hand vs an orange framed minute hand; a red-tipped seconds hand vs an all white seconds hand, and of course the issued watches have "BUND" and NATO stock numbers engraved into the caseback and bracelet endlinks.

This ref. 3504 also differs from my 3529s in the bracelet.  The 3504 has the 2nd generation of the Ocean 2000 bracelet, while the 3529s have the 3rd and last generation bracelets (most secure version).  There's also a substantial price differential between the civilian and issued models with the issued models commanding prices of US$10k and up depending on condition and completeness (boxes, papers, IWC extract, bracelet tool, fabric strap, etc).

Finally, the civilian version is originally rated to 2000 meters water resistance, while the military versions were supposedly "only" tested up to 200 meters.  Both references are powered by ETA caliber 2892-A2 modified by IWC.

There are many dial variations on these Ocean 2000s.  The dial on this 3504 is one of the last styles with a prominent "PORSCHE DESIGN" on the top and in smaller font "by IWC" above the 6 o'clock.  The bracelet is also signed with the Porsche Design "pd" logo rather than "IWC".

The Ocean 2000s are my favorite watches of all time.  They are also one of the first, if not the first, fully titanium watches (case, caseback, bezel, bracelet) back when titanium was a new watch material.  I have to admit that they top my list over even the Rolex GMT-Master (all references).  There's something about the Ocean 2000s organic design that just calls to me.  Even the integrated bracelet is very satisfying design-wise.  All this from a watch circa the 1980s!  Classic designs are eternal after all.