IWC PORSCHE DESIGN

Maker: IWC
Model: Porsche Design Ocean 500
Reference: 3523 (11103)
Year: 6-10-2 sold in Japan
Serial: xxxx
Material: Titanium
Dial: Black Tritium Dial and white Tritium Hands
Dimensions: 34mm
Crystal: Sapphire
Bracelet: IWC Titanium Bracelet
Box & Papers: Box, booklets, warranty and adjustment tool

In the mid-1980s, a time when the Cold War's tension was mirrored by the era's bold design choices, a unique collaboration emerged between two titans of engineering: IWC Schaffhausen and Porsche Design. Their joint venture produced the Ocean 500, a watch that seamlessly blended the precision of Swiss watchmaking with the sleek aesthetics of German automotive design.

The Ocean 500, with its 34mm titanium case, was a marvel of its time. Titanium, a material then rarely used in watchmaking, offered unparalleled strength and lightness. This choice not only provided durability but also ensured comfort, making the watch feel almost weightless on the wrist. Its black tritium dial and white tritium hands ensured visibility in the darkest conditions, a nod to its intended use by elite military divers.

The design was the brainchild of Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, the same visionary who gave the world the iconic Porsche 911. His influence is evident in the watch's minimalist aesthetic, where form follows function. The integrated titanium bracelet and the unadorned bezel reflect a commitment to purity in design, eschewing unnecessary embellishments.

While the Ocean 500 was primarily designed for military use, its appeal transcended its utilitarian origins. Collectors and enthusiasts were drawn to its understated elegance and technical prowess. Its rarity, especially the Reference 3523 (11103) models sold in Japan, only added to its allure.

Today, the Ocean 500 stands as a testament to a time when innovation and collaboration pushed the boundaries of design and functionality. It's more than just a timepiece; it's a piece of history, a symbol of what can be achieved when two legends unite with a shared vision.

The Morning Commute – Modern Sartorialism

Outfit: Tailored navy wool trousers, a cream merino roll neck, and a double-breasted camel overcoat. Soft leather Chelsea boots in espresso brown. A textured wool tote carries your essentials with ease.

Here, the Ocean 500 leans into its architectural restraint. Its cool titanium exterior contrasts beautifully against warm neutrals, slipping under the cuff like a whispered assurance of taste. This is not a flashy statement—it’s quiet competence. Whether boarding a train or entering a boardroom, this watch underscores an aesthetic of considered elegance.

Tip: Let the cool tone of titanium mirror the understated textures in your look—wool, cashmere, suede. Think balance, not excess.

Afternoon Escape – Weekend Minimalism

Outfit: A stone-washed Japanese denim jacket, white organic cotton tee, olive utility trousers, and low-profile leather sneakers. A canvas field bag slung across the shoulder.

In this moment of quiet rebellion—of escaping the city for coffee at a tucked-away gallery or an impromptu bookstore find—the Ocean 500 transforms from tool to talisman. It feels appropriate, even poetic, to wear a dive watch originally commissioned for German military use in such a civilian, soulful context. Its monochrome aesthetic reflects the utilitarian roots of your ensemble, while its rare design pedigree adds the subtlest whisper of refinement.

Tip: Titanium pairs beautifully with lived-in textures. Don’t polish it too much—it earns character with each passing day.

The Evening Apertif – Effortless Sophistication

Outfit: A charcoal knit polo tucked into black pleated trousers, with a tobacco suede bomber thrown over the shoulders. A single malt, a well-thumbed book, and soft jazz in the background.

As the sun dips and lights soften, the Ocean 500 reveals its most charming paradox: a utilitarian diver that feels perfectly at home in a lounge setting. The black dial almost melts into the evening ambiance, while the tritium glow—faint now, but still present—feels like a secret held close. This isn’t about showing off; it’s about knowing who you are.

Tip: Let the watch be your one metal accent in an otherwise soft, tonal palette. It will feel intentional, intimate—almost cinematic.

Final Thought

The IWC Porsche Design Ocean 500 doesn’t chase trends. It refines them. It’s a watch for those who understand that style isn’t about being seen—it’s about being felt. Integrate it not as a finishing touch, but as an essential thread woven into the fabric of your personal aesthetic. Dress it up. Pare it down. Let it accompany you not just in time, but through it.

Because some watches tell stories. This one lets you write them.

IWC Porsche Design Ocean 500 (Ref. 3523) – Titanium Clarity, Understated Brutalism

There are watches that whisper their provenance, and there are watches that speak in the cool, clipped tones of German industrial design. The IWC Porsche Design Ocean 500 does the latter—with conviction. Produced in collaboration with the legendary Ferdinand A. Porsche and engineered to rigorous military spec, this Ref. 3523 (11103) is a masterclass in purposeful restraint and innovation, dressed in raw titanium and filled with quiet intent.

Condition: Gently Aged with Characterful Integrity

This particular example, originally sold in Japan and preserved with genuine care, stands as a gently worn time capsule of the early ‘90s. The titanium case—measuring an eminently wearable 34mm—is remarkably well-preserved. It retains the soft, matte finish characteristic of unpolished titanium, with light, superficial signs of wear that speak more to respectful use than to neglect. Its utilitarian roots are palpable, yet its condition suggests an owner who understood the value of restraint.

Dial: Tactical Elegance in Tritium Glow

The black tritium dial is clean and intact, displaying no visible degradation or moisture damage. Its minimal, almost Bauhaus-influenced layout is paired with stark white tritium-filled hands that have aged to a soft ivory patina. This warm tritium glow—a subtle nod to its age—adds an element of intimacy and depth, catching the light in low-visibility situations as it was originally intended to do under the waves. Legibility remains absolute, as if it were still mission-ready.

Movement: Precision in Discretion

Beneath the surface beats an IWC-modified ETA 2892-A2—thin, reliable, and refined. It’s the kind of movement that doesn’t shout its presence but rewards with quiet, dependable performance. The crown action is smooth, setting and winding without resistance. A recent timekeeping check confirms it runs within expected tolerances, affirming that the beating heart of this watch remains strong.

Bracelet: Integrated, Industrial, Iconic

The integrated IWC titanium bracelet is a triumph of ergonomic design—light on the wrist yet solidly engineered. It drapes with fluidity, its links showing only light wear, with sharp edges and a well-functioning clasp. It completes the monochrome visual language of the piece, underscoring its tool-watch DNA without sacrificing comfort.

Complete Set: A Collector’s Find

Offered as a full set, this Ocean 500 includes its original box, booklets, warranty, and adjustment tool—a completeness rarely found in examples of this reference. Such details elevate it from a well-kept tool watch to a connoisseur’s object, embodying both the legacy of IWC's engineering prowess and Porsche Design’s uncompromising aesthetics.

In Summary:

This IWC Porsche Design Ocean 500 Ref. 3523 is not just a watch—it’s an artifact from a moment when design and function were in perfect alignment. With its titanium construction, tritium dial, and near-complete presentation, it offers an uncommon blend of tactility, utility, and refined aging. For the discerning collector or the design-minded enthusiast, it represents not just a tool, but a statement—quiet, confident, and enduring.

We’ve tested the watch to ensure proper functioning. On average, it runs 13 seconds per day, with an amplitude of 240 degrees and a beat error of 0.0ms. These results, obtained using one of our instruments, indicate good performance, but please note that we cannot guarantee precision, accuracy, or waterproofness.

The price includes Swiss VAT of 8.1%, which can be directly deducted for export, and the shipping cost comes with full worldwide insurance. Please note that the customer will be responsible for paying any customs duties in their country.

If you desire a complete service, we can provide it at an additional cost, with a warranty of at least one year for precision and accuracy (not for waterproofness).