{"id":26140,"date":"2021-03-27T18:21:01","date_gmt":"2021-03-27T18:21:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.horbiter.com\/iwc-da-vinci-perpetual-calendar-chronograph\/"},"modified":"2024-05-25T08:33:01","modified_gmt":"2024-05-25T06:33:01","slug":"iwc-da-vinci-perpetual-calendar-chronograph-2017-hands-on","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.horbiter.com\/en\/iwc-da-vinci-perpetual-calendar-chronograph-2017-hands-on\/","title":{"rendered":"The IWC Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Chronograph watch hands-on"},"content":{"rendered":"

The IWC<\/strong>\u00a0Da Vinci<\/strong> is the last jigsaw piece in a route that IWC<\/strong> embarked on nearly 5 years ago and that generated a complete overhaul in the entire series. With the Da Vinci 2017<\/strong>, IWC<\/strong> goes back to its origins by relaunching a round-shaped case that it debuted in the 1985<\/strong> chrono<\/strong> and perpetual calendar <\/strong>version thanks to Kurt<\/strong> Klaus<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"IWC-DaVinci-3750-Vintage\"Forget the original case shape, the rectangular case experiment has been put away for now, despite the first Da Vinci<\/strong> ever crafted at the end of the 60s debuting with that design. It is no wonder that the models launched by IWC<\/strong> a few years ago and pertaining to the Vintage Collection<\/strong> (reference IW546101<\/strong>) was inspired to the original version and featured an extremely original hexagonal case.<\/p>\n

\"IWC-Da-Vinci-Ceramic-3755-1986\"The Da Vinci<\/strong> marked two important moments in watch-making; the first one, as said, in 1985<\/strong>, the second one when IWC<\/strong> opted for that reference to debut its first case made of zirconium oxide <\/strong>(ref.3755<\/strong>). A complicated calibre and a constantly featured material in the current collections. The new Da Vinci<\/strong> represents the link with that classic 39mm<\/strong> timepiece with a round case that was launched 31 years ago and that lately has been generating quite an interest.<\/p>\n

\"IWC-Da-Vinci-Perpetual-Calendar-Chronograph-IW392101-tre\"It is then quite obvious that despite IWC<\/strong> adding a splendid Tourbillon<\/strong> (I will review it soon) to its 2017<\/strong> collection, it is the new IWC Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Chronograph<\/strong> that has caught everybody\u2019s attention, ignited the most interesting discussions among fans and also generated the inevitable comparisons between this version and the original one. In 1985<\/strong>, I was too young to fully appreciate even a three-hand-watch, let alone a complicated timepiece designed to abide by the Gregorian calendar up to the year 2100<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

My personal interest for reference 3750<\/strong> is rooted in my passion for writing, when I tackled a piece devoted to an IWC perpetual calendar<\/strong> (you can access it here<\/strong><\/span><\/a>), and it is also sheer coincidence as it caught my attention when it was mentioned in one of the newsletters of the Roman Brandizzi<\/strong> jewellery\u2019s shop that had a couple of these timepieces available in mint conditions and at a very attractive retail price (they sold out in no time).<\/p>\n

\"IWC-Da-Vinci-Perpetual-Calendar-Chronograph-IW392103-quattro\"The IWC Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Chronograph 2017<\/strong> debuts in two versions<\/strong>; one is made of stainless<\/strong>\u2013steel<\/strong>, while the second one is made of red<\/strong> gold<\/strong>. The source of inspiration is not the reference 3750<\/strong> but rather the reference 3754<\/strong> also made of platinum<\/strong> and with the split<\/strong>\u2013second<\/strong> chronograph <\/strong>along with the perpetual calendar<\/strong>; two of the brand\u2019s most celebrated complications, the first one dramatically going back into fashion on the Portugieser<\/strong>\u2018s case.<\/p>\n

\"IWC-Da-Vinci-Perpetual-Calendar-Chronograph-IW392101-otto\"The reference to the 3754<\/strong> lies in the dial; it features big applied Arabic numbers on a slate-grey coloured background (on the stainless-steel version) or on a silver background (on the red gold version). The viewing of the chrono functions is pretty much hidden so as not to interfere with the calendar\u2019s functions, the blue hand<\/strong> in the middle also views the Flyback<\/strong> function and the chrono counters<\/strong> share the moon<\/strong>\u2013phase<\/strong>\u2013register<\/strong> at 12 o\u2019clock. One of the IWC<\/strong> perpetual calendar\u2019s unmistakable trademarks is also present; the year\u2019s four-digit-viewing<\/strong>. The case has grown to reach 43mm<\/strong> but it is quite different from the original one that featured\u00a0a stepped bezel with round push-buttons, whereas, on the current version, they are cilindric.<\/p>\n

\"IWC-Da-Vinci-Perpetual-Calendar-Chronograph-IW392103-nove\"The \u201cbubble<\/em>\u201d glass has been maintained, it is now made of sapphire though. The lugs are never heard of before; IWC<\/strong>\u2018s engineers have come up with mobile lugs<\/strong> hinged to the case that make the IWC Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Chronograph<\/strong> fit every wrist despite the thickness of the calibre 89630<\/strong> that also makes the case 15,4mm<\/strong> thick. They are extremely comfortable but, nevertheless, they don\u2019t reach the style of those present on the original reference that seemed to almost break the circular geometry of the case.<\/p>\n

\"IWC-Da-Vinci-Perpetual-Calendar-Chronograph-IW392101-sei\"I quoted the calibre 89630<\/strong> that is part of IWC<\/strong>\u2018s in<\/strong>\u2013house<\/strong> built<\/strong> 89000<\/strong> family; a perpetual calendar <\/strong>programmed up to the year 2100<\/strong>, when the cycle of leap years will stop and the user will have to manually adjust the calibre, a chronograph<\/strong> equipped with the Flyback<\/strong> function, a balance wheel with no racquet made of Glucydur\u00ae<\/strong> and up to 68 hours of power-reserve<\/strong>. To top it all, adjustment features that, as in every calendar made in Schaffhausen<\/strong>, can all be regulated through the winding crown only.<\/p>\n

\"IWC-Da-Vinci-Perpetual-Calendar-Chronograph-IW392103-tre\"The IWC Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Chronograph <\/strong>will retail at 32,800 euro<\/strong> in its stainless<\/strong>\u2013steel<\/strong> version and at 44,000 euro<\/strong> in its red<\/strong> gold<\/strong> version. Both versions can already be pre-ordered on the IWC<\/strong> website. Retail prices can\u2019t be compared to those of the past and neither can the current Da Vinci<\/strong> watches with the models of the first generation. Among the new features is for example a moon<\/strong> that is only 3mm<\/strong> thick, an in<\/strong>\u2013house<\/strong> built<\/strong> calibre<\/strong> that has reached a level that will be difficult to surpass. Whether you like this Da Vinci<\/strong> or not, the level of manufacturing of an IWC<\/strong> has reached the top and the perceived quality feeling is simply amazing.<\/p>\n

\"IWC-Da-Vinci-Perpetual-Calendar-Chronograph-IW392101-quattro\"Personally, I would have opted for a more direct reference to the reference 3750<\/strong> since I think that this timepiece would be perfect with no Arabic numbers indicating the hours, I would have left the four circular registers do the whole work as they are the footholds of an IWC<\/strong> watch with a perpetual<\/strong> calendar<\/strong>. Last thing: no other timepiece than this Da Vinci<\/strong> could better represent the spiritual and historical inheritance of a complication that the manufacturers from Schaffhausen<\/strong> have turned into their own reference point.<\/strong><\/p>\n