FS: 1990s IWC Flieger UTC ref. 3251 Pilot’s GMT in Steel w/ Classic “T” Dial

[tomvox1]

Up for sale is this wonderful, long discontinued late 1990s IWC Flieger UTC ref. 3251 with cool dual timezone complication in satined 39mm stainless steel case. This classic automatic pilot watch by the great marque from Schaffhausen also features the preferred first generation “Mark”-style dial with Tritium triangle and kite hands, which have both acquired a very handsome ivory tone. With its screw down crown, easy to read and operate dual timezone function, as well as date, and essentially perfect proportions, this Flieger UTC is one of the most versatile and practical travel watches out there. Having enjoyed it myself on a European holiday I can say that it was the only watch I needed day or night and that comes from both a big GMT watch fan and a compulsive watch addict. Plus, the value for money on this complicated and exceptionally well engineered devil is pretty hard to beat in today’s overheated watch market. Overall the watch is in Excellent pre-owned condition, operating perfectly and it comes on its model correct buffalo strap with IWC-signed steel tang buckle. While I’ve got to let it go it is definitely ready for its next adventure!

The asking price for this fantastic IWC Flieger UTC is $2450 USD OBRO. This price includes fully insured FedEx shipping worldwide. Bank Wire always preferred but Paypal is OK on this watch with split fees (+2% to the buyer). Other payment options upon application. Watch will ship upon full clearance of the funds, as well as any necessary bank vetting. Payment must be made in US DOLLARS.

























CASE & CASEBACK: In my opinion this is the perfectly proportioned Flieger at a very modern but not ridiculous 39mm wide x 48mm long by 12mm thick (height is saved by the very flat, nearly flush-fit back). This two piece case with formed bezel is all-steel with a primarily satin finish and minor polished accents giving it that classical Mark XI look only beefed up a bit (the Mark XI was 36mm, as was the Mk XII). Originally water resistant to 60 meters the case is in unpolished and Excellent used condition for a nearly 20-year-old watch, showing its original finish, sharp chamfers and with some nicks and one ding between "11" and "12" to the edge of the prominent bezel, as well as some light scratches to the thick sides. The notched caseback with highly polished lip is Excellent+ with minimal marks and has all the cool Flieger nomenclature, IWC logo and complete external 7-digit serial number, which has been partially obscured in photos for the sake of the new owner.

DIAL & HANDS: This example of 3251 has the earlier classic “Mark” style of dial in matte black with white enameled Arabic numerals. IWC did a very interesting (and peculiar) thing on the earlier examples of this model where they used Tritium luminous for the “12” marking and for the hands but Luminova luminous for the other bar dial markers. Therefore the triangle and dots at “12” and the hands have acquired a pleasing ivory patina while the other dial markers have not. All will still glow after exposure to light, however. Odd & eccentric but kind of cool and sort of unique to IWC as far as I can tell. This Mint dial also features a date aperture at “3” and the cool curved cut out beneath “12” for the 24-hour display. The 24-hour disc is set to home time to either operate as an AM/PM indicator or as the second, home time zone when the independent hour hand is set to local time while traveling. This is a very clever, easy-to-read way to display two timezones and a really cool design when integrated into the classic Flieger layout. I greatly prefer this early version of 3251 dial to the later, more jewelry/less toolwatch Spitfire UTC dials that followed.

CRYSTAL: Thick, slightly curved but low-lying sapphire crystal sits just a little higher than the bezel and is flawless and unmarred.

MOVEMENT: This great UTC Flieger features IWC’s automatic Cal. 37526 (highly modified ETA 2892) that adds an independently adjustable hour hand in place of a quickest date (similar to Rolex’s GMT II). Having already set the 24-hour disc to home time, to use the dual timezone feature (UTC = Universal Time Coordinated, TZC = Time Zone Corrector) you simply unscrew the crown and pull it out to the first position. This will enable you to change the hour hand in one hour increments either forward or backwards and without affecting the 24-hour disc or stopping the seconds hand so there's no loss of accuracy during the operation. When the crown is pulled out to the second position the sweep seconds will stop/hack and you can set both hands for the 12-hour time in sync with the 24-hour disc. Although I don’t know its service history this great IWC pilot’s travel watch is keeping excellent time with all functions working as they should and a strong power reserve. This is guaranteed to be the case at the time of shipping.


CROWN: The oversized steel crown is the original iconic “Fish” type with just some minor wear — Excellent cosmetic condition. It screws down smoothly and tightly and unscrews to the winding, independent hour-setting and hacking full time-setting position exactly as designed.

STRAP: This '90s IWC Flieger UTC comes on its model correct IWC brown buffalo leather aviator’s strap with white contrast stitching and wide ends to meet the lugs for a cool, macho look. Despite the overlapping stitched leather detail where the ends meet the watch this strap has standard spring bars. The strap is in Excellent lightly worn condition and also features its correct signed steel IWC tang buckle. This Flieger takes 20mm straps.

As a matter of policy I make no guarantees for the water resistance of this watch in any way shape or form.

This guaranteed authentic IWC Flieger UTC is offered with a 3-day inspection period from the date of receipt and may be returned for a full refund (less any shipping costs incurred by the buyer). This refund is unconditional and once I get the watch back in exactly the same condition as it was sent to you, your money will be refunded. Of course, once the 3 days are over the sale will be considered FINAL.

Thanks for looking,
T.
[email protected]