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This IWC Spitfire Chronograph 3706-23 appeals in equal measure to connoisseurs of history and style.

A 39mm stainless steel case offers a versatile work/play combination that pairs well with any attire, the the unique aspects of the [Supermarine] "Spitfire" edition enhance the elegance of the normally austere IWC Pilot Chronograph.

Since 1988, IWC's "Fliegerchronograph" models have offered watch enthusiasts a complicated counterpart to the more traditional "Mark" and later "Big Pilot" time-only models. The 2003-2005 "Spitfire" Chronograph shown here was the first of a series that continues to this day: IWC's running tribute to the British Supermarine Spitfire, a legendary high-performance dogfighter that made its name in the 1940 Battle of Britain.

Naturally, there's a certain irony to seeing "Fliegerchronograph" written on the solid case back of a "Spitfire" tribute model (IWC supplied the German Luftwaffe with its B-Uhr pilot's watch in... 1940), but if anything, the association proves that we're all friends today, and IWC knows an aviation classic when it sees one. Credit where credit is due.

The IWC Spitfire Chronograph exchanges the stick hands of the standard Fliegerchronograph for elegant broadsword units. IWC extends the custom touch with a set of applied Arabic numerals that supplant the printed examples on the standard Pilots Chronograph. Finally, a guilloche silver dial with contrasting inner and outer metal graining replace the matte black of the standard Fliegerchronograph models.

With respect to movement and complications, IWC's Spitfire Chronograph is well-armed. The automatic IWC caliber 79320 is based on the Valjoux 7750, and that movement's workhorse reliability carries over. IWC's version sports a 42-hour power reserve, and the movement features hacking (stop seconds) for precise synchronization to an accurate reference such as an online atomic clock.

A useful day-date window display affords great convenience and practicality; the technical fascination of a chronograph provides equal measures of utility and crown-pleasing novelty when explaining the watch to your companions.

The IWC Spitfire Chronograph 3706-23 is an upscale aviation tribute designed to split the difference between business suits and flight suits. More refined than the conventional IWC Pilot Chronograph, the Spitfire also carries the romantic backstory of the Battle of Britain and the heroes of 1940.

See this IWC Spitfire Chronograph 3706-23 with full IWC factory boxes, technical manuals, and documents of provenance on www.thewatchbox.com. Video and content by Tim Mosso.

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