Within the Eighties, IWC launched a collection of extremely specialised dive watches for the Kampfschwimmer, an elite German navy dive unit. Made together with Porsche Design, these titanium watches had IWC know-how and ingenuity behind them. As military-issued variations of the IWC Ocean 2000, they’re now known as the “Ocean Bund” amongst collectors and fans.
The IWC Ocean Bund (quick for Bundeswehr or “German Federal Armed Forces”) got here as six issued references, together with one which consisted of fifty completely nonmagnetic watches for mine-clearance models inside the Kampfschwimmer.
Credit score: Bulang and Sons
An excessive IWC look ahead to an elite unit
Lately, I spoke to David Seyffer, IWC’s historian, about these distinctive watches and the significance of their design in IWC’s trendy historical past. In that interview, David famous, “These watches function two essential improvements — titanium and design. I might think about the Ocean 2000 essentially the most ‘radical’ design made in cooperation with Porsche Design merely due to the usage of titanium. The watch grew to become one of the vital progressive diver’s watches ever.” You possibly can learn that full interview right here.
Picture: @real_vintagesilver
The Kampfschwimmer (“Fight Swimmers”) are German frogmen and amongst a number of the nation’s most elite and well-trained navy models. In coaching movies, we are able to watch members of these models being air-dropped with full fight gear, together with flippers, into the ocean.
Talking to a former member of the Kampfschwimmer
After our article went dwell, a number of individuals wrote to me with private tales of serving in that unit or proudly owning considered one of these particular military-issued timepieces. I lengthen my because of those that helped present further images used on this story, notably Thorsten (@real_vintagesilver on Instagram), who as soon as owned an IWC Ocean 2000.
A kind of who wrote to me was issued an IWC Ocean Bund whereas serving within the German navy within the very late Eighties and early Nineties. He requested to stay nameless for this chat however wished to share a number of of his ideas on the unit and the watch. Let’s simply name him “Mr. P” for the sake of this interview.
A unit issued the IWC Ocean Bund
Henry Black: Thanks for sharing a bit little bit of your expertise. Inform me about your service and the IWC watch you have been issued. Additionally, how did you come throughout our story on Fratello?
Mr. P: I used to be as stunned as you have been once I contacted you, Henry, after seeing the story on Fratello. You see, I acknowledge a number of the faces within the YouTube movies in your article that present the coaching we used to do. What can I let you know about that point? Nicely, I’ve very fond reminiscences. We have been all fairly younger and felt that we have been doing one thing difficult and noble. We have been serving our nation. And the world was a really completely different place then. I’m quite a bit older now!
Difficult coaching
HB: The coaching seemed arduous. What motivated you to affix?
MP: Nicely, I used to be motivated by a way of responsibility, however there was additionally a way of journey about it. This will likely sound foolish now, however on the time, getting that kind of coaching was troublesome however is also enjoyable. Possibly it appears extra enjoyable now once I look again on that point, which was fairly way back.
Additionally, I made some sturdy buddies throughout my time there. As you will notice within the coaching movies, a part of what we needed to do was get inside a torpedo-like construction in a pool. This was so we may deal with being within the tight and troublesome environment of a torpedo tube if we ever wanted to be deployed in such a fashion on a mission. Being inside was very mentally troublesome because it was, how do you say… a claustrophobic expertise. I used to be by no means deployed in such a fashion past our coaching.
Experiencing the IWC Ocean Bund
HB: What are you able to inform me concerning the IWC you have been issued, Mr. P?
MP: It was a really high quality watch, but it surely additionally seemed fairly unusual. I keep in mind once I first noticed it, and I believed it didn’t appear like a standard dive watch. I used to be not notably interested by watches at the moment, however I grew to respect the watch because it dealt with my coaching very properly and stored superb time. My watch had a material strap, not a steel one.
One factor I additionally preferred concerning the watch was that it was fairly skinny. This was helpful in tight environment or if one had a jacket and uniform on. It didn’t get in the way in which when on coaching missions. I miss the watch.
Picture: Kampfschwimmer Affiliation
HB: So, from what you inform me, I assume the watch is now not in your possession?
MP: No, I needed to return it. I miss the watch now as a result of I’m extra interested by watches, and it additionally brings again some good reminiscences of once I was youthful.
We have now an affiliation for servicemen referred to as the Kampfschwimmer Affiliation, and I might invite any fellow former members to get in touch with the affiliation as it’s a good website for historical past.
Credit score: Kampfschwimmer Affiliation
A rising fascination with the watch passion
HB: What drew you to Fratello? How did you discover our article?
MP: Consider it or not, Henry, I’m now extra interested by watches as a passion. I like the thought of preserving outdated issues going. Possibly it’s as a result of I might think about myself outdated now! But in addition, I like IWC and the contribution of German watch producers to the craft. There’s a sturdy historical past of watchmaking in Germany too.
I generally learn articles on outdated historic tales. I preferred your article concerning the Australian prime minister and Rolex. It was attention-grabbing for me as a result of I additionally lived in the course of the Chilly Warfare. Likewise, I used to be stunned and joyful to see the one you probably did on the Kampfschwimmer. Attending to see a number of acquainted faces within the movies additionally evoked very sturdy reminiscences for me, so I contacted you.
Picture: Kampfschwimmer Affiliation
Closing ideas
My because of Mr. P for sharing his ideas on our unique article, a number of treasured insights into the Kampfschwimmer, and his expertise of being issued the IWC Ocean Bund! He’s a really non-public man, so I’m grateful that he determined to share his ideas with our readers. I’m additionally grateful to the individuals on Instagram who helped ship a number of pictures my means for this text.
What do you assume, Fratelli? Are there any tales of specific models or issued watches I ought to take a look at subsequent? Let me know within the feedback or by way of Instagram.
