Hommage to an iconSIHH 2017: The IWC Da Vinci Automatic Moon Phase 36

With a diameter of 36 millimetres, a moon phase complication, a semicircular crown and its elegant materials, the Da Vinci Automatic Moon Phase 36 (Ref. IW459306/ IW459307/IW459308) is virtually predestined to appeal to watch devotees with a passionfor luxury and technical sophistication.

The recessed inner circle, which adds a more pronounced three-dimensional structure to the silver-plated dial and emphasizes circularity as a design feature of the line – together with the richly coloured Santoni alligator leather straps – complements the feminine appeal of a watch that is water-resistant to 3 bar. The new lugs with their moving horns ensure that the strap fits perfectly round the wrist and is comfortable to wear. The mechanical 35800-calibre automatic movement powers this model, while pulling the crown enables stopping of the central seconds to set the watch. The “Flower of Life”, a geometrical figure with several regularly overlapping circles and object of intensive study by Leonardo da Vinci, is engraved on the case back.

HARMONY IN RED GOLD AND STAINLESS STEEL

The Da Vinci Automatic Moon Phase 36 is available in three models: one in red gold, one in a stainless-steel case with diamonds on the bezel and one in stainless steel, all with silver-plated dials. The version in 18-carat red gold (Ref. IW459308) is the outstanding gem among the trio. An impressive ensemble in gold, it comprises a 36-millimetrecase, striking horns, a semicircular crown and a bronze-coloured alligator leather strap by Santoni with a pin buckle.The gold-and-blue moon phase rounds off the harmonious overall impression. While the actual length of a lunar month is 29.53 days, the classic moon phase design has a gear train that rounds it down to 29.5 days. The gear train advances the disc automatically by a single tooth each day to depict the correct phase of the moon. When necessary, the display can be adjusted via the correction button at “2 o’clock” using the pin supplied with the watch.

54 pure white diamonds encircle the stainless-steel model (Ref. IW459307). A dark brown alligator leather strap with a butterfly clasp complements the model with the diamond-set bezel. On the silver-plated dial, the shades of gold used for the numerals as well as the hour and minute hands alternate with the blue of the seconds hand and harmonize with the gold-and-blue moon phase display.

In the case of Reference IW459306 in stainless steel, the dial, moon and stars are finished in shimmering silver while the displays, sky and Santoni leather strap with its stainless-steel butterfly clasp are all dark blue. The power reserve for the three models is 42 hours.

ENGRAVED ORNAMENTATION

IWC Schaffhausen honours Leonardo da Vinci’s contribution to the common understanding of aesthetics during the Renaissance with an engraving of the “Flower of Life” on the back of the Da Vinci Automatic Moon Phase 36. In his notebooks and sketches, the artist focused his attention intensively on the mathematically designed circular structure, in which there are no irregularities and everything is interconnected. Its basic geometry is the source of severalmathematical and universal laws, such as Pythagoras’s theorem, Platonic solids or the golden section, as well as findings on human proportions.