IWC

Da Vinci Watches

The journey of the IWC Da Vinci watch started in 1969. During this year, the very first IWC Da Vinci watch was released by IWC, and it came equipped with the new Beta 21 quartz movement. Indeed IWC had invested heavily in research and development to give rise to the Beta 21 quartz movement. The result was a wristwatch calibre with quartz control (frequency 8192 hertz). These first edition watches of the Da Vinci Quartz Electronic (ref. 3501) came in a hexagonal-shaped case. The design of the case bears very little resemblance to the modern-day IWC Da Vinci watches. But this is the design that inspired the development of later versions of the IWC Da Vinci. Even the recent versions with tonneau-shaped cases draw inspiration from the original 1969 IWC Da Vinci.

This watch was a pioneer collection from the house of IWC Schaffhausen. Its design is classic yet modern and incorporates elements that other watchmakers might have considered too bold for their times. The first editions also lay the ground for further developments in the series, as would happen in the 1970s. Perhaps the most important development that came with the first IWC Da Vinci watch was the Beta 21 movement. It was the first Swiss Quartz calibre ever made. The number 21 is an allusion to the number of brands and manufacturers associated with the advancement of the movement, including IWC. This movement was the Swiss reaction to the crisis that would happen later. The Da Vinci Quartz Electronic is a significant part of the brand's legacy.

Fast forward to 1985, and IWC had come a long way from its initial models of the IWC Da Vinci collection. The name 'Da Vinci' was retained for these developments in the 1980s. While the name was unchanged, the philosophy behind the watch changed so significantly that the 1969 and 1985 versions have very little in terms of similarity. In the 1970s versions, the lozenge-shaped case was used, while the 1980s saw major stylistic developments. In terms of mechanics also, the 1980s saw IWC Da Vinci watches being manufactured with advanced complications and movements.

The 1985 model was a perpetual calendar chronograph, with a module designed by the legendary watchmaker Kurt Klaus. It was created on a Valjoux 7750 chronograph base. The Valjoux movement, however, turned out to be just a starting point. The perpetual calendar mechanism was groundbreaking in its own right. In this perpetual calendar mechanism, you could see all the calendar indications, including the moon phase, and they were coordinated via the crown. As a result, to set the watch, you only had to pull out the crown and advance the day indication. Everything else, including the day, month, leap year, and year indications, would all change together corresponding to the day indication.

Following the revolutionary success of the 1985 model reference 3750, IWC set out to reinvent the original IWC Da Vinci watch. In 2008, they released a recreated model of the first IWC Da Vinci watch. The year was selected to mark the celebration of IWC's 140th anniversary. This re-edition of the vintage Da Vinci watch marked the success of Da Vinci's journey from its origins in the 1960s. The new IWC Da Vinci Automatic Vintage 1969 was labelled with the reference IW546101. It came packed with an advanced IWC movement 80111 Calibre while drawing inspiration from the vintage style.

The standard hexagonal shape of the IWC IW546101 watch was stretched and modified. The case also had a sapphire crystal back, which allowed the viewers to see in close detail its elegant movements. 

In 2007, IWC launched the new tonneau-shaped Da Vinci line. This range included the Da Vinci Chronograph with a radically new IWC-manufactured movement, which was also the brand's first in-house chronograph movement. With the introduction of the Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Edition Kurt Klaus, IWC Da Vinci reappeared to the scene with promise. The 2007 watch featured developments like the stopped minutes and hours to be read off a subdial, digital display of the perpetual calendar with two large double windows. This watch stayed in IWC Da Vinci's catalogue until the launch of the SIHH editions in 2017.

The IWC Da Vinci Moonphase watch is another remarkable IWC dress watch to be introduced in the 2000s. This watch came with a 36 mm stainless steel case and the option of choosing between plain version, diamonds, and red gold versions. It has a silver-plated burst dial with contrasting navy blue Arabic numerals. This IWC Da Vinci automatic watch has its moon phase indicator at 12 o'clock position. IWC automatic calibre 35800 movements power this watch and has a power reserve of 42-hours.

The IWC Da Vinci collection is one of the most important lines in the world of watchmaking. This collection is known for its path-breaking innovation and application of complicated technologies. The watches in this series come in sleek and classy designs and are powered with the best movements. They are a perfect fit for all occasions and provide amazing performance and durability. From its launch in the 1960s to the present day, IWC has not stopped putting innovation and research into its watches. IWC's efforts have paid, and the Da Vinci chronograph remains one of the leading watches in the world to this day.