IWC Da Vinci Watches
The ideal combination of style and substance, IWC Da Vinci watches are both elegant in design and offer impeccable functionality. These exquisite timepieces were created to uphold the great inventor’s dedication to innovation and technical excellence. Unveiled in 1069, the collection showcases a number of sophisticated complications enclosed in simple IWC casings. All watches have been crafted to offer superior precision, using the latest watchmaking techniques.
The History of IWC Da Vinci Watches
Although IWC did not give the Da Vinci watches their own collection until 2017, these exquisite timepieces actually date all the way back to 1969. The first edition, the Da Vinci Quartz Electronic, came with a hexagonal-shaped casing which would later become an inspiration for the later watches in the series. Much like the man it was named after, the Quartz Electronic was a pioneer, with an extremely modern and bold style.
The first large evolution of the collection took place in 1985, the Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar was unveiled at the Basel Watch Fair. Combining a striking design and a complex perpetual calendar chronograph, it had a round design and articulated lugs. Its launch represented not just a huge moment for the brand itself, but also the revival of the fine watch industry after years of dominance by their electric counterparts. A year later, IWC unveiled the Reference 3755, the world’s first wristwatch made from scratch-resistant black zirconium oxide ceramic.
In commemoration of the Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar’s tenth anniversary, a new version was introduced that had a split-second chronograph with ten hands running on the dial. The model became so successful that it remained in the catalogue for more than 20 years, consistently evolving with the addition of new dials and complications.
The next major facelift came in 2007, when IWC’s design team decided on a barrel-shaped casing. One such creation was the Da Vinci Chronograph Ceramic IW3766, the first sporty addition to the collection. Meanwhile, the Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month, which was made of gold and platinum.
A brand new chapter for the IWC Da Vinci began in 2017, with the introduction of a tonneau-shaped case. These newer models also featured hinged lugs which help set them apart from other watches made by the manufacturer. Thanks to their elegant shape and moderate size, IWC Da Vinci watches can be rendered gender neutral, meaning they are perfectly able to decorate the wrists of both men and women alike.
The Jewel of the Collection
Perhaps the main reason why IWC Da Vinci watches are so well-respected is the Perpetual Calendar version, created by legendary horologist Kurt Klaus. Released in 1985, the timepiece was the manufacturer’s first ever chronograph with a completely mechanically programmed perpetual calendar with a four-digit year display. Its calendar automatically recognises the differing lengths of months and leap years. This feature is especially ingenious considering it can be activated by setting a single crown, making it not just groundbreaking for the IWC brand, but also the entire world of Haute Horlogerie.
To mark the watchmaker’s 50th anniversary in 2007, IWC released a very special chronograph dedicated to the genius of Kurt Klaus — the Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Kurt Klaus Limited Edition. The chronograph movement sits inside a tonneau-shaped casing, which features an engraved portrait of the man himself. Meanwhile, his signature also appears on the dial.
A Series of Master Creations
If it was not for the legendary ingenuity of Leonardo Da Vinci, the world as we know it would be completely different. Amongst his many passions was the precision movement of time. It is this that became the driving force behind the IWC Da Vinci collection.
As the 1960s drew to a close, the manufacturer dedicated a new watch to the man’s genius and as a celebration of his drive towards innovation. While the first model featured the revolutionary Beta 21 quartz movement, its successors were designed as masterpieces of mechanics. Demonstrating a seamless interplay of design and technology, these exquisite timepieces perfectly reflect the vision of Da Vinci himself.