IWC Bund Ocean 2000 BUND Kampfschwimmer Issue Ref.3529 c.1996

The history of the IWC Porsche Design Ocean Bund 3529 is rooted in a unique intersection of high-concept industrial design and strict military necessity during the Cold War. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the West German Federal Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) contracted IWC Schaffhausen and designer Ferdinand Alexander "Butzi" Porsche to create a next-generation diver's watch for elite units like the Kampfschwimmer (combat swimmers). To meet different operational roles, the military deployed six distinct versions over the course of the program: References 3501, 3509, 3529, 3314, 3319, and 3519 AMAG. Among these, the automatic Reference 3529 was introduced as the evolved, matured successor to the earliest mechanical variants in the line. While exact production numbers are difficult to verify with absolute certainty, it is estimated that around 150 total units of the automatic versions—which includes the 3529 alongside its older 3501 and 3509 predecessors were ever delivered to the German Navy, making the 3529 an incredibly scarce reference.

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Unlike the commercial civilian versions that prioritized deep-sea depth ratings, the history of the military-issued Reference 3529 was defined by practical combat modifications requested directly by the West German navy. It was configured with a flat sapphire crystal to minimize underwater visual distortion and reflections, a high-visibility orange-red framed minute hand for instant legibility, and a stealthy, blacked-out push-to-turn bezel to guarantee low visibility and maximum tactical safety during operations.

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This rare bird comes accompanied with the Original Inner and Outer Boxes, Screwdriver, Bracelet release tools, two spare links and Original fabric strap with end links.