IWC Schaffhausen have proved time and time again that they are not afraid of drawing inspiration from the past. It is widely expected that for the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) event in 2017, IWC will be revisiting the classic Da Vinci collection. In 1985, IWC released the Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar watch and it is this watch that has prompted IWC to bring back the sleek, classic round case design for a revamped and revisited look. The most impressive and mechanically interesting of the collection is the IWC Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Chronograph watch.
Amongst the changes implemented by IWC, in that IWC will be firmly heading back to its past in design and mechanism, the tonneau case example in the Da Vinci collection will be removed. IWC claim that this is necessary in reaffirming their brand and what they call “classic proportions the brand stands for.”However, looking at the dial and seeing all the intricacies of a perpetual calendar chronograph, you cannot feel somewhat content with the fact that everything just fits into place.
Some of the features of the new Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Chronograph are quite remarkable. IWC claim they have made their first watch to combine a mechanical chronograph function with a perpetual moon phase display on a sub-dial in a new complication module. Aside from the moon phase display, the watch offers the standard functions found in a perpetual calendar – date, month, day and four-digit year display. The IWC-manufactured caliber 89630 also has an integrated fly-back function to also warm the hearts of every watch enthusiasts.
The IWC is the embodiment of style and luxury, with both cases being made in stainless steel (Ref. IW392103) and 18K red gold (Ref. IW392101). Both feature a 43mm case that is 15.5mm tall and is 30 meters water resistant. The standard IWC sapphire case back and sapphire crystal face are AR coated on both sides, and finished off with a Santoni alligator leather strap.
IWC have officially made a true statement of intent for 2017, and are now in a leading position for SIHH 2017. The brand are ready to push themselves further into the future of watch making, whilst firmly paying tribute to their past.
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