Before we get to the IWC Aquatimer Chronograph IW371903 review we should cover a little bit about the brand. Founded by America F.A. Jones in Schaffhausen, IWC has a watch making history that spans over 150 years. The brand produces watches across many lines: Portugieser, Pilot, Da Vinci, Portofino, Ingenieur, and Aquatimer. The Aquatimer was born of the GST line (gold, steel, titanium) in the late 90’s and early 2000’s. Models from the second generation Aquatimer feature either a steel or titanium case with matching bracelet or rubber strap, an inner rotating bezel, and water resistance from 100m to 2000m!

Model IW371903 specifically identifies the IWC Aquatimer Chronograph in titanium, a metal noted for being lighter and stronger than stainless steel. The watch weighs only 4.5 ounces / 128 grams. The dial features a black face with a yellow minute hand and minute markers on the inner-rotating bezel. All hands and hour markers are well-lumed for nighttime or underwater use.

Consistent with the watchmaking standards of the time, this model uses an IWC-finished Valjoux 7750 chronograph movement. The tri-compax layout features chronograph minutes and hours at 12 and 6 o’clock positions and running seconds at 9 o’clock. At 3 o’clock are both day and date apertures. Time, day, and date setting is easy via the screw-down crown with the IWC “Probus Scafusia” logo (meaning “Good things from Schaffhausen”), and the chronograph pushers can be operated underwater.

The IWC Aquatimer Chronograph IW371903 wears appropriately for its 42 mm diameter and 14 mm height. The titanium bracelet tapers by a few millimeters towards the clasp, and when worn loosely the watch can be a bit top-heavy. The watch is very comfortable and suitable for all-day wearing, and the matte grey titanium is quite durable. Since 2004 I’ve bumped, dinged, and bonked the watch against door frames, desks, and furniture with nary a dent and only faint scratches. As is quite standard, the top and bottom crowns start, stop, and reset the chronograph, while the center crown winds and sets the watch. Twisting the lower crown adjusts the unidirectional inner-rotating bezel.

Speaking personally, the IWC Aquatimer Chronograph remains my most-often daily wear watch. It’s comfortable all year round and could by itself fill the “tool watch” space in any watch box. Suitable for a casual office? Check. Swimming in the pool? Check. A two-tank dive in the Caribbean? Check. Trek on an Alaskan glacier? Check check! I’ve been fortunate enough to enjoy dozens of what I call #AquatimerAdventures with this watch.

The IWC Aquatimer Chronograph is not that other famous dive watch that rhymes with “Smolex.” Very few people recognize the IWC as a fancy watch the way a Submariner garners attention. This could be a plus for some and a minus for others. It’s never been a concern for me.

What the IWC Aquatimer Chronograph is, though, is a fantastic dive watch and “all-arounder” that was reasonably priced when new. The sturdy but common 7750 movement, with all of its quirks, like the free-spinning rotor, functions reliably. In its latest fourth generation, the Aquatimer is available in steel and bronze and sized from 42 mm to 45 mm. Some models contain in-house movements yet remain competitively priced. In summary, the Aquatimer should never be counted out when shopping for a tool watch. New versions include modern features, colors, and quick-change straps. Older versions like this 3719 or the original GST models offer the warm, subtle, unbeatable awesomeness of titanium.