IWC 3519
'Bundeswehr 6645-12-199-3503 AMAGNETIC'
Wristwatch for Minesweeper diving units; special amagnetic version.
Gathered information...
This watch has a self-winding movement with a special antimagnetic finish (Cal. 375 Amag, which included a beryllium balance) and tritium markers. All Amag watches were individually numbered.
All Bund Ocean models are rare, but the antimagnetic model is extraordinarily rare. Reportedly, no more than 50 pieces were produced. To this day, most are kept under under lock by the Bundeswehr, to be issued only in crisis situations. The watches are closely guarded, allegedly for fear of ruining the antimagnetic features, which are consider necessary to keep the minesweeper divers alive.
According to findings, the Bundeswehr (German Special Forces) those watches were paid DM 16,000 for each antimagnetic Ocean watch. Finding one today would be a real 'coup', since only a few were made (50 pieces) and most are still in the hands of the German government.
Written by Michael Friedberg – Published in 2001
IWCFORUM.Com
Die Minentaucheruhr
Wristwatch for mining-divers (minesweepers), low-magnetic-field tested by STANAG 2897
IWC Ref. No: 3519
BUND stock no. 6645-12-199-3503
This model had a special movement, IWC Kal. 3755AM (also known as Cal. 3755 Amag). Like the other Ocean Bund automatic movement, it was based on an ETA 2892 ebauche, but this variation had a special antimagnetic finish, including a beryllium balance. In addition, like the "regular" Ocean Bund automatic, because the ball bearings on the rotor could be magnetized under strong fields, they were replaced with jewels as bearings for a total of 22 jewels. Because of the low-magnetic-field control and certification applicable to these watches, these models were required to be tested and controlled separately at Bundeswehr-laboratories in northern Germany.
The specifications for this model, like the quartz version, required extra tritium material on dial, hands and at the bezel, type TL 8010-019. As such, this model's dial also had a red 3H in a red circle.
Like the regular Ocean Bund divers watch, this version was water resistant to 300 meters and was supplied with a Nylon-Velcro strap. It similarly had a Bundeswehr-required accuracy specification of 0 to +8 seconds per day. The watch weighed 42.6 grams.
The Bund numbers for these models are complicated due to changes that occurred during the course of production. As improvements were made, the models received different reference numbers; in addition, as orders were made by the Bundeswehr, different reference numbers were used.
Like other titanium watches produced by IWC in the 1980s, the connection design for the bracelets evolved. As mentioned above, slightly different fastening systems were used and there were different reference numbers for each variation. However, usually the watches were ordered only with a Nylon-Velcro-strap. The titanium-bracelets were ordered separately and were not mounted by IWC to the watches. The nylon straps had the separate BUND stock no. 6645-12-197-8310. The older style titanium bracelet had BUND stock no. 6645-12-197-8310 and its successor was BUND stock no. 6645-12-339-2164. The older bracelets used two silver pins while the newer ones used a tube with one steel pin.
For every watch IWC had to engage in a special control-protocol before delivery. In addition, before the sale was finalized, a Bundeswehr tester came to Schaffhausen to check each watch.
All IWC Ocean Bund watches had the planning number on the case back and either the back of the Nylon-Velcro strap-connection part or the first link of the bracelet. However, a few watches of the Bundeswehr-type were sold to VDO executives and do not have the planning number.
Both because these watches were made until relatively recently and these were made pursuant to a military contact, it is not publicly known how many Ocean Bund watches were produced by IWC. The rumours are that not many were made: the tests to become a Bundeswehr diver were (and still are) difficult and not many succeeded. Being awarded the watch upon complication of rigorous training was a great honour. Moreover, because these watches were not made for public sale, very few of them have found their way to the secondary market.
Yet there is no doubt that these are great watches. They represent great design, great function and a great military watch tradition.
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