IWC refurb on titanium Aquatimer 3536

I have just collected this after a couple of months away with IWC, and I could not be more pleased.

What a job!
With a bead-blasted titanium case, and pretty well dinged to boot, I was worried that they may not be able to do much on the aesthetics.

I should have had faith!

IWC stated on receiving/assessing that they would do their best on the case, after a pretty sizeable mark on the 9 o clock side - but you really struggle to see any history of that now.
The rest is back like new.
Bracelet is pristine save for one ding that they obviously chose to retain the form rather than polish right out (no dramas - worn in, not worn out!). See LH side of first link on 6 o’clock side.

Looks fully blasted back to original spec too. Luuurvly

I opted for a new dial and handset (fresh lume!), new crystal and new crown.
Full service of course too.

Chuffed to bits.

Any manufacturer who says they cannot refinish their titanium offerings should take note!

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£745 all in, in case you were interested.


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The best Aquatimer timer there is. Lovely. Looks crisp!

Very nice - congratulations

Thats a very good job and a great looking watch.

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Originally Posted by Time Cat

The best Aquatimer timer there is. Lovely. Looks crisp!

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+1, agree with that ^^ I owned a 3538 but think this version is the best. looks amazing,

IWC generally do a great job with refinishing :applause:

Proper watch that. And looks like new.

Owned a few over the years, and really regret not keeping one that I bought brand new.
This model looks superb, and IWC have clearly done a superb job.

Enjoy :encouragement:

What a beauty!

They’ve done a fab job.


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Love these aquatimers,
Oh, and great job IWC

Looks really good. Only real evidence of a refurb is the end link contours which are slightly softer but otherwise as you say could be a new watch! Enjoy.

Look into my eyes, sell it to me, sell it to me...

Beauty

D


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Fantastic job from IWC, they've kept the fish crown too.

I'm a MAAHOOSIVE fan of the luminova 3536Ti and it must be sold to me first (before the good Dr) :-)

Quite simply stunning and after 15yrs of collecting watches this is the ‘one’ that I wish I’d just actually bought instead of admiring all the pictures. A truly classic dive watch from IWC that is instantly recognisable and like the Rolex sub where the dimensions are so perfect.

That really is a lovely watch and a first class job by IWC although the service fee was more than I was expecting. Must have stung a but at least you can tell they’ve done a great job.

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Originally Posted by wileeeeeey

That really is a lovely watch and a first class job by IWC although the service fee was more than I was expecting. Must have stung a but at least you can tell they’ve done a great job.

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Yeh. A not inconsiderable amount - but as a few have said already, it is a classic, and one I have coveted for too long, dilly-dallied on buying a few times over the years - and just decided to make up for it.
It will be worn a lot, and no plans to sell unless I really get stuck somehow - so figured that long after the cost is forgotten, the quality will remain.


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That looks superb. In my view an absolute classic and that refresh is as good as new. They don’t often come up but I’d be happier getting one serviced/refreshed after seeing this.

Thank you.

Looks fantastic. What are the case dimensions?

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Originally Posted by Montello

Looks fantastic. What are the case dimensions?

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They're 42mm, about 14.5mm thick IIRC.

I've mentioned this elsewhere on TZ but I have very fond memories of the 3536, albeit very fleeting.

First remember seeing one in the window of the old WoS on King St, in Manchester. A 3536ti and I absolutely hated it !!! Dated 70's looking design, did absolutely nothing for me. Picked up one the IWC catalogues, those lovely teutonic, sterile, white hardback books. A proper brochure.

Kept flicking to the 3536 and my opinion of it just totally changed and I absolutely fell for it, that sterile, German design just won me over. By now, 2005, I had my Omega 2254 and the IWC was about 3 x the price and I just couldn't afford it. Around this time the 3538 was replacing it so they were very hard to find. Harvey Nichols in Exchange Sq still had one. Think it was about £3.6k from memory, so still totally unaffordable but I asked to have a look at it anyway. The best built watch I've ever handled, crown was silky smooth, the press-to-move bezel absolutely top drawer. Loved it.

Why as a supposedly serious dive watch the second hand didn't have any form of lume whatsoever baffles me however !

fantastic watch and they've done a stunning job on that at a fair price I would say. Gives me confidence in the brand seeing this. It's a long time since I've had an IWC.

The last of IWC's real tool watches, and looking very much in shape again, terrific job.

Looks Sinn'esque to my eye. No bad thing.

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Originally Posted by Hocuspocus

Looks Sinn'esque to my eye. No bad thing.

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The current owner of Sinn worked for IWC during this period.