Click here to see the video for details on IWC's GST series.
What kind of model is IWC's GST series?
When looking at vintage IWC models, the letters GST are sure to appear.
What is the meaning of GST and what are its characteristics?
Here we will explain this confusing content in as simple and detailed a way as possible.
What is GST?
The "GST" in the GST series is a combination of the initial letters of G for Gold, S for Stainless, and T for Titanium .
In other words, it shows that it was developed using three materials.
By using these materials, a one-of-a-kind watch was born that combines a sporty feel with functionality.
A sports watch born from the termination of the contract with Porsche Design
Many people are familiar with the car manufacturer Porsche, but there is a company called Porsche Design that is solely responsible for designing Porsche cars.
IWC has contracted with Porsche Design to produce some fantastic sports watch models, such as the Ocean 2000 and Ocean 500.
However, when that contract was terminated in 1997, IWC was forced to design most of its sports watches in-house.
After the contract was terminated, the company focused on developing its own line, the "GST" series.
The GST series was launched in 1997 and continued until 2003, so although its production period was only seven years, during that time it came with a lineup of models equipped with a wide range of functions, including chronographs, alarms, rattrapantes, perpetual chronographs, and Deep Ones.
Now let's take a look at what models were actually made.
All Models
Now, let's introduce each of the wonderful models that have been born in the GST series.
GST Chronograph
The GST Chronograph was born from the GST series that was introduced in 1997.
The IW370703 has a black dial and is made of titanium.
The IW370713 has a white dial and is made of stainless steel.
As a material, there aren't many products that use titanium, so your eye will definitely be drawn to this one.
The movement installed is the automatic movement Cal. 7922, which was converted by IWC from the Valjoux Cal. 7750.
First of all, the titanium used makes the watch light and durable, and the matte grey colour really appeals to masculine people.
It's no wonder it was so popular.
The case diameter is 40mm. It is 14mm thick due to the Valjoux 7750 .
Speaking of the Valjoux 7750, it was also used in the Porsche Design Orfina Top Gun model, so it is designed to be quite sturdy.
It's not military, but it has a similar feel to it and it has quite a lot of volume and a rugged finish.
It is also highly waterproof, with a depth of 120m.
This is a chronograph from the same GST series, but this model was produced in 2002 as a limited edition of 2,000 pieces.
That is because he is the designer of the Italian luxury fashion brand "PRADA". It was designed by Giampiero Bodino .
This is a rare piece that offers a color balance and sophisticated atmosphere that IWC alone could not achieve.
Only 2,000 of these have been produced, so if you try hard, I think you'll be able to find one in Japan within a year.
GST Aquatimer
IW353601 is made of titanium with a black dial
IW353602 is made of stainless steel with a black dial
IW353603 is made of stainless steel with a white dial
Here too, we will mainly explain the titanium model.
This cool automatic watch features a simple face that emphasizes functionality and the unique gray color of the titanium case and bracelet.
The highly visible dial and thick case give it a sporty and powerful impression, typical of a diver's watch.
Furthermore, it is made of titanium, making it lightweight and comfortable to wear.
When talking about titanium, the first thing that comes to mind is the Ocean 2000, but it was IWC's shaping technology that allowed them to create this kind of shape using titanium, a material that other companies were not keen to use.
This design was created after the contract with Porsche Design ended, so IWC's designs are very IWC-like and cool.
The crystal is made of scratch-resistant sapphire glass, making it extremely practical.
Although production has now ended, the Aquatimer GST series remains very popular.
The bezel has a diameter of 42 mm, giving it just the right amount of volume, but the combination of black and gray gives it a chic look.
It has high water resistance, but considering the year it was produced it falls into vintage territory, so you can't just take its water resistance at face value, but it's still a cool watch.
The GST diver's watch is a great choice for those who want something deep and unique.
GST Alarm
IW353701 is made of titanium with a black dial
IW353702 is a stainless steel with a black dial.
IW353703 is a white dial with stainless steel
This article will also focus on titanium.
This model has a very short production run and is difficult to obtain.
This titanium model in particular is produced in much smaller numbers than stainless steel models, which has led to a rise in price.
The most notable feature of this alarm watch is that it is equipped with a movement made by Jaeger-LeCoultre.
The movement used is the Jaeger-LeCoultre Cal. 917, production of which was discontinued when the partnership with Jaeger-LeCoultre was dissolved in 2003.
As a result, the number of units produced is low, and the number of units in good condition is decreasing year by year.
In this model, the crown at 4 o'clock is used to adjust the time and wind the mainspring, while the crown at 2 o'clock can be used to set the alarm.
The alarm set crown has a "bell" mark, and the time adjustment crown has a "fish" mark to indicate water resistance.
GST Rattrapante
Both of these Rattrapante models are made of stainless steel.
The model name "Rattrapante" means "to catch up" in French and refers to a watch that uses two hands to measure lap times.
In essence, it incorporates the complication of a "split-second chronograph" .
You don't see many models with two stopwatch functions like this because it would make the design much more complicated.
Therefore, it is counted as one of the "four great complex mechanisms."
Additionally, this model features a second chronograph hand in red, which adds an attractive accent.
This model is considered one of the ultimate complications in mechanical watches, and can be said to be a masterpiece that embodies IWC's technical expertise from the watch body to the bracelet.
GST Perpetual Chrono
IW375603 is made of titanium with a black dial
IW375607 is made of stainless steel with a white dial
This watch also features a perpetual calendar, one of the four major complicated mechanisms, but it is rare to see a sports model that is waterproof to 120m equipped with a perpetual calendar.
The year display is located at the 7 o'clock position, and by changing the included disc, it is possible to display dates up to the end of February in 2499.
To begin with, the chronograph is already complicated, but this watch also has a perpetual calendar function, so it seems that only a company with the technical capabilities could make this.
By the way, what is a perpetual calendar? This is a function that automatically corrects the day of the week, date, month, and 24-hour display.
So, the question arises: what is the movement that is making this happen?
The movement is the cal. 79261, the same as that used in the Da Vinci perpetual calendar model designed by Kurt Klaus, the man who made IWC a famous brand.
This model was produced in 2007 in a limited run of 3,000 pieces, and is engraved with a portrait of Kurt Klaus, the watchmaker who invented the perpetual calendar mechanism.
Thanks to this genius engineer, automatic winding Thus, the "perpetual calendar mechanism" was born.
GST Deep One
The material is titanium with a black dial
With an internal rotating bezel, a black dial with luminous hands and indicators, yellow accents on the entire dial and inner rotating ring for improved visibility, and a date display at the 3 o'clock position, this watch is not only functional but also stylish.
The IWC GST Deep One was produced in limited numbers due to being a very rare watch and expensive to produce.
Only 500 were produced, with only about 10 being allocated to Japan.
Titanium case on titanium bracelet, IWC automatic caliber 8914, built-in depth gauge that is activated when water enters the case and displays both the current depth and maximum depth.
Although 100m water resistance is not a particularly high standard for a diver's watch, what makes the Deep One so impressive is its mechanism.
Deep One is the world's first diver's watch equipped with a mechanical depth gauge.
It is said that it took five years from design to production.
A mechanical depth gauge is a device that measures depth by expanding and contracting a tube using water pressure.
The DeepOne mechanical depth gauge can measure depths of up to 45m.
Although the Deep One is equipped with this mechanical depth gauge and is made of titanium, It was released as a relatively low-priced diver's watch at the time, priced at 1,417,500 yen .
In addition, the Deep One has a titanium case, which is a material that is lighter and more corrosion-resistant than stainless steel, and it has also been carefully designed to be a lightweight, durable diver's watch.
In this way, the Deep One is a diver's watch that combines two unique features: a mechanical depth gauge and a titanium case.
These two features are the reason why Deep One is said to be so amazing, but since only 500 were made, it is currently almost impossible to actually get your hands on one.
summary
I think IWC's GST series is a series that gives the impression that they are determined to continue offering great products on their own since parting ways with Porsche Design.
Porsche Design has the appeal of being in keeping with the Porsche design tradition, while IWC gives the impression of excellent design that places emphasis on functionality backed by history.
Even though production of these GST series has ended, their popularity has not waned and they are still sought after by people all over the world.
Like the Ocean 2000, the price will likely continue to rise in the future, so I think it's best to grab it while you can.
