New generation of surprising horological innovationsThe brilliant renaissance of the IWC Da Vinci
IWC Schaffhausen is bringing the Da Vinci into the future with a new generation of surprising horological innovations. The three members of the new Da Vinci family not only appear in an attractive tonneau-shaped case, they also do justice to their name as a byword for advanced technologies. With the Da Vinci Chronograph, IWC Schaffhausen has developed its first proprietary chronograph movement and has given it a modern interpretation with an incomparable analogue time display. A limited edition pays tribute to IWC chief constructing engineer Kurt Klaus, and the Da Vinci Automatic represents the practically elegant three-hand watch in a smaller format.
Time machines bearing the prominent name da Vinci have almost become a synonym for the Schaffhausen watch manufactory, which, not for the first time, today identifies with the intellectual tradition of the universal genius of the Renaissance. The first striking observation is that time measurement is no longer round. The highly intricate design of the tonneau-shaped case opens up an entirely new chapter in the history of the Da Vinci. This step into a new future is accompanied by a unique innovation entirely in the spirit of the great Leonardo. The Da Vinci Chronograph, containing the manufactory chronograph calibre 89360 newly developed by IWC Schaffhausen, features a number of new designs that are unique in the world. It departs, for example, from the classic measurement of stop times and intermediate times, in the sense that stopped hours and minutes can now be read off like a second time display on the inner dial in this future-oriented model. This userfriendly and clever new creation increases the practical utility of the chronograph quite decisively.
This is entirely in line with the approach of Leonardo da Vinci, who, as an engineer and inventor, came up with surprising solutions for details of construction. This spirit of Leonardo was the source of inspiration in 1985, when IWC gave the incomparable Da Vinci with an autonomous perpetual calendar its debut, and in so doing created one of the most successful watches ever. IWC Schaffhausen owes a debt of gratitude for this stroke of genius to its chief designer, Kurt Klaus, who is now honoured with a limited edition of the Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Edition Kurt Klaus. This tribute is also embodied in the attractive new tonneau form of the case. The mechanical internal workings of the watch correspond to those of the previous Da Vinci, however, which takes its leave with this final appearance. For those who prefer the Da Vinci in a smaller format, the Da Vinci Automatic provides an attractive alternative for this horological creation to be worn one size smaller on the wrist. This elegant three-hand watch is a jewel which, with its large date, places the most useful of all the supplementary displays at the centre of attention.
Time for new engineering
With the Da Vinci Chronograph, IWC Schaffhausen is recording an impressive piece of horological progress. Years of research and testing have culminated in the movement abbreviated to Cal. 89360. This is the “motor” which drives the Da Vinci Chronograph and sets new standards in the field of horological engineering. The manufactory chronograph calibre 89360 with its power reserve of 68 hours receives its driving force via the new automatic IWC doublepawl winding system, which now transmits energy with four pawls to the pawl wheel. This further development of the masterpiece originally designed by Albert Pellaton with only two pawls increases the efficiency of the winding system by 30%. The new design was developed on the basis of the highest industrial design standard, Design for Six Sigma DFSS, which has been applied consistently by IWC for some time. A further innovation is revealed in the predominantly decentral arrangement of the chronograph mechanism. The chronograph movement with its flyback function actuated via a classic column wheel permits the indication of the aggregate time recording of hours and minutes in an analogue time display with two hands for the first time. It offers its services not only for the measurement of stop times, but is also capable of running permanently with the movement without any reduction in amplitude. The Da Vinci Chronograph is available in a platinum case limited to 500 pieces or in unlimited variants in white gold, rose gold and stainless steel.
Tribute to Kurt Klaus
IWC chief constructing engineer Kurt Klaus brought the Da Vinci to life in the 1980s with his incomparable and revolutionary invention of an autonomous perpetual calendar and heralded a new era with this delightful complication. This stroke of genius is now being rewarded with a well-deserved tribute in the form of a limited edition of 600 examples of the Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Edition Kurt Klaus. Its mechanical internal workings are identical with those of the previous Da Vinci: perpetual calendar with a complete year display in four digits, perpetual moon phase display, chronograph and automatic movement. This proven mechanical combination of around 400 perfectly matched individual parts also finds room inside the tonneaushaped case of the new generation. On the dial, the small signature “K. Klaus” opposite the year display makes reference to the exceptional watchmaker to whom this honour is extended. He has practised his skills for 50 years in the service of IWC Schaffhausen and, hence, in the service of the mechanical watch. His portrait decorates the back of the watch as a relief engraving. The Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Edition Kurt Klaus will be limited to 600 rare examples: 50 watches in platinum, 50 in white gold and 500 in rose gold.
All good things come in threes
The new era of the Da Vinci makes an attractive offer to lovers of smaller, yet beautiful watches. With the Da Vinci Automatic, equipped with an automatic movement and a large date on a twodisc basis, the new stylistic signature of the Da Vinci comes to the wrist in the form of a 35.6 mm tonneau-shaped case.
The latest Da Vinci opens up a new future not only for new forms, but also for additional and surprising horological concepts. The Da Vinci Automatic in white gold, rose gold and stainless steel embodies the combination of tradition, perfection and innovation for which its great name stands.
The striking new case design
The surprising case design of the new Da Vinci is inspired by the interdisciplinary talents of Leonardo da Vinci, who was used to thinking innovatively and imaginatively as an architect, mechanical engineer, artist and inventor. The new Da Vinci confidently lays claim to a special position within the IWC collection. Its distinctive forms, in particular the interplay of positive and negative curves, symbolize power and forward movement. They give expression to a design that extends down to the smallest detail. The same attention to detail shown in the cases is also manifested in the design of the dials of the new Da Vinci, in which the classic use of colour ranges from silver via ardoise to black.
IWC Schaffhausen and da Vinci become one
For IWC, the awareness of the highly advanced physics of wheels, levers and transmissions has its roots in Leonardo da Vinci. For the hugely gifted observer, painter, inventor and designer on the threshold between the Middle Ages and the Modern Age was totally obsessed with the early wheel clocks or astrolabes that were already in existence at the time. And, as always, when he subjected an item of interest to serious examination, his ingenious mind devised significant improvements. The one side of Leonardo da Vinci that is perhaps less well known is that of the ambitious watchmaker, who produced countless sketches of increasingly accurate movements, which also incorporated complications such as striking mechanisms. His vision of the perfect machine for the precise measurement of time over very short and inconceivably long periods was realized comprehensively in Schaffhausen in 1985 with the Da Vinci perpetual calendar chronograph.
This is a watch that is even able to put modern chip technology in the shadows. Its calendar designed by Kurt Klaus exhibits an unbelievable reduction ratio of 6 315 840 000 to 1 on its longest gear train between the escape wheel and the one movement of the century slide with the first two digits of the year every 100 years. Never before had anything of this kind been seen in a wristwatch. Of the most successful complicated watch of all time, Kurt Klaus said then: “What is truly ingenious is simple to use.” That was the secret of its appeal. The new Da Vinci generation satisfies every condition for writing a triumphal sequel.