Pared-down brilliance SIHH 2017: The IWC Da Vinci Automatic

A classically simple watch with three hands in a 40-millimetre case, the Da Vinci Automatic (Ref. IW356601/ IW356602) appeals equally to men and women. Thanks to its moving horns, the watch fits perfectly around a slim wrist and is therefore particularly attractive for women.

Holding it securely in place on Reference IW356601 is a pin buckle, while Reference IW356602 features the new folding butterfly clasp. The clear-cut dial design with the date at “6 o’clock” sets off the striking Arabic numerals and lancet-shaped leaf hands to their best advantage. The crown discreetly takes up the contours of the case and blends harmoniously into the overall picture. Both models are water-resistant to 3 bar and powered by the tried-and-tested 35111 calibre with automatic winding and 42-hour power reserve.

Reference IW356602 features a stainless-steel case and a slate-coloured dial together with rhodium-plated hands and appliqués. The timepiece comes with a polished stainless-steel bracelet. Reference IW356601, which has a silver-plated dial as well as gold-plated hour and minute hands and appliqués, is a worthy counterpart to the model in pure stainless steel. A blue seconds hand provides a colourful contrast. The elegance of the watch’s appearance is rounded off by a hand-dyed black alligator leather strap by Santoni.

A TRIBUTE TO THE DA VINCI SL AUTOMATIC

With a steel case, moving horns and a twin-frame bezel encircled by a peripheral groove, the new Da Vinci Automatic is a tribute to and a modern interpretation of the Da Vinci SL Automatic (Ref. 3528) from the late 1990s. The SL Collection was initially launched in 1976. The fact that the watches were produced in only limited numbers has ensured that the models in the SL Collection remain much sought-after collector’s pieces to this day.