4 Discussions and CommentsMember since March 16, 2011
Hello,
I hope you can help me.
I have just purchased a ceramic IWC 3705 and I am very happy with the watch. One thing bothers me though and that is that the previous owner replaced the original Tritium dial and hands with Luminova parts.
Is it possible to buy Tritium dial and hands so I can return the watch to the original condition?
Also, the strap is quite worn. Can anyone recommend a "kevlar" like strap as the one that comes with the ceramic Top Gun?
1,078 Discussions and CommentsMember since March 22, 2001
I've seen quite a few 3705s that have the Luminova hands. I believe the factory and authorized service centers replaced the tritium hands per specifications. I'd say don't worry about it and enjoy a very special watch.
191 Discussions and CommentsMember since June 16, 2001
Collector's value is higher w/Tritium dial & hands but you can enjoy your beautiful watch w/Luminova as well. I've changed the calender discs to black ones too and now the watch is on a black NATO - scan shows it on a Hirsch strap like your wish. I think this strap is out of production now - do not remember reference code unfortunately but a Hirsch dealer can shed light on this one. Enjoy! Robert ">
191 Discussions and CommentsMember since June 16, 2001
feilersen Wrote:Thanks for all the good responses.
Why would IWC change the dial and hands during service?
Roberto, your 3705 looks great with the black calendar discs. Where/how did you source these discs?
Did any of you guys fit a black calfskin strap to the watch?
Thanks, Frederik
Dear Frederik,
today IWC delivers most of their dark dial 7750-s w/black discs so maybe you can have it replaced in SH. There are a handful of manufacturers using the same black disc set but best place is IWC to do the job.
2 Discussions and CommentsMember since Dec. 31, 2006
Hello fellow Dane Frederik,
I think the reason why they would change the dial with tritium markings to a dial with Luminova markings, is that in time tritium fades. It has a half-life of only 12 years, so it gradually stops being luminescent. Luminova, or Super Luminova, won't lose its luminescense and it isn't radioactive as tritium is. The tritium's radioactivity is not dangerous as it "only" radiates alpha particles. Maybe it was different during production, but I don't know. I own a Doppelchronograph 3711 from 1994 with tritium markings, and the tritium does not light anymore :-) So IWC just thought forward back then and canged the dial... Hope this halps a bit?
BTW I love your 3705! I am currently looking for an example as well.
2,996 Discussions and CommentsMember since April 2, 2011Hong Kong,
Hong Kong
one of my 'accidental' finds in a Hong Kong dealer, and what was intended to be a 'collector's rescue' has turned out to be a permanent fixture in my collection...
Regards, Shing | email iwcforme1976 (at) gmail (dot) com time does not change us. it just unfolds us. max frisch. all that really belongs to us is time; even he who has nothing else has that. baltasar gracian.
I hope you can help me.
I have just purchased a ceramic IWC 3705 and I am very happy with the watch. One thing bothers me though and that is that the previous owner replaced the original Tritium dial and hands with Luminova parts.
Is it possible to buy Tritium dial and hands so I can return the watch to the original condition?
Also, the strap is quite worn. Can anyone recommend a "kevlar" like strap as the one that comes with the ceramic Top Gun?
Thanks,
Regards,
Frederik from Copenhagen
Love that strap!
cheers
BAs DEkkers
bdekkers@sysqa.nl
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Last edited: 17 September, 2012 - 19:36
The greatest IWC is the one that is inbound."
Last edited: 23 July, 2011 - 19:23
Enjoy! Robert
Last edited: 3 January, 2012 - 11:49
Why would IWC change the dial and hands during service?
Roberto, your 3705 looks great with the black calendar discs. Where/how did you source these discs?
Did any of you guys fit a black calfskin strap to the watch?
Thanks,
Frederik
Dear Frederik,
today IWC delivers most of their dark dial 7750-s w/black discs so maybe you can have it replaced in SH. There are a handful of manufacturers using the same black disc set but best place is IWC to do the job.
Best, Robert
Last edited: 3 January, 2012 - 11:49
I think the reason why they would change the dial with tritium markings to a dial with Luminova markings, is that in time tritium fades. It has a half-life of only 12 years, so it gradually stops being luminescent.
Luminova, or Super Luminova, won't lose its luminescense and it isn't radioactive as tritium is. The tritium's radioactivity is not dangerous as it "only" radiates alpha particles. Maybe it was different during production, but I don't know.
I own a Doppelchronograph 3711 from 1994 with tritium markings, and the tritium does not light anymore :-) So IWC just thought forward back then and canged the dial...
Hope this halps a bit?
BTW I love your 3705! I am currently looking for an example as well.
Regards, Rune from Copenhagen.
But I must say that watch looks beautiful.
Regards, Shing | email iwcforme1976 (at) gmail (dot) com
time does not change us. it just unfolds us. max frisch.
all that really belongs to us is time; even he who has nothing else has that. baltasar gracian.
Last edited: 8 December, 2012 - 16:07