IWC Da Vinci

The original Da Vinci of 1969 appeared in a striking hexagonal case featuring long indices and plain hands. The model is comprised of a unique design and displays the typical avant-garde shape of the period. The watch housed the new quartz movement Beta 21, a signal of the Swiss watch industry opening itself up to electronic movements.

The first Da Vinci model was only produced for a short period of time, but in 2008, IWC paid tribute to the watch with a new anniversary model: the IWC Da Vinci Automatic Vintage 1969 (Ref. IW546101). The distinctive design of the antitype was newly interpreted: the hexagonal case was stretched and equipped with a sapphire crystal bottom, allowing direct viewing of the superb calibre 80111 movement. The applied indices on the dial and polished baton hands underline the high-class exterior of the Da Vinci Automatic Vintage 1969 (Ref. IW546101), serving justice to the original and inspirational 1969 model.

The IWC Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar (Ref. IW375001) is the reason why the Da Vinci is celebrated among watch enthusiasts around the world. The specialty of the watch is the calendar mechanism, which was constructed by legendary IWC horologist Kurt Klaus.

The IWC Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar (Ref. IW375001), presented in 1985, was IWC’s first chronograph with an entirely mechanically programmed perpetual calendar and a four-digit year display. The clever calendar recognizes the differing length in months as well as leap years, and, therefore, does not require another calibration prior to the year 2100. The feature is simply ingenious considering that the complex system can be set with a single crown. The Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar, therefore, does without any correctional pushbuttons, tables, or laborious instruction manuals. The simple use of the watch represents a breakthrough not only for IWC watches, but for the entire world of Haute Horlogerie.

In 2007, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the company, a very special chronograph was dedicated to the genius of Kurt Klaus: The Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Kurt Klaus Limited Edition (Ref. IW376201). Both inside and out, this watch reflects the spirit of the peerless watchmaker: The chronograph movement with the emblematic perpetual calendar sits in a tonneau-shaped case, whose back adorns an engraved portrait of Kurt Klaus. A keen eye can also discern his signature on the dial of the watch.

In 2007, IWC began a new chapter in the Da Vinci line. To stress this collection’s sense of tradition and elegance, all the Da Vinci watches were equipped with a tonneau-shaped case. Their splendid appearance is complemented by artful mechanics: At the heart of every Da Vinci timepiece beats a classy automatic movement.

The Da Vinci Automatic (Ref. IW452301) offers a sleek dial while the Da Vinci Chronograph (Ref. IW376401) excels with the stopwatch feature. The dial of the Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Date-Month (Ref. IW376101) exhibits a striking combination of digital and analogue displays, and its movement can be admired through a sapphire crystal bottom.

Some IWC connoisseurs miss the old, round form of the IWC Da Vinci. In cases such as these, the used market offers a solution as there is a wide selection that delights with charming prices. Both the classic Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar (Ref. IW375001) and its special editions, including the Da Vinci Rattrapante (Ref. IW3751) and the Da Vinci Tourbillon (Ref. IW375201), entice with their classic design and top-class mechanics. Those searching for an IWC ladies’ watch can look to pre-2007 second-hand Da Vinci models.

Thanks to their elegant shape and moderate size, many of the Da Vinci models can be rendered gender neutral and can be spotted on the wrists of ladies and gentlemen alike. IWC has always kept the lifework of Leonardo da Vinci in mind when designing the shape of this lineup, which has ensured the timeless elegance exhibited by the resulting watches.