The story of the IWC Da Vinci is an inspiring one. The watch came into the world as a solution for the upcoming crisis of electronically charged timepieces. It was powered by the Calibre 21 Quartz movement, the first Swiss Quartz movement ever to come into existence. The numeric nature of the movement points to the fact that it was made with the collaboration of 21 Swiss watchmakers. The first Da Vinci was a spectacle to witness. Its integrated bracelet and the hexagonal case made it almost impossible for the watch to not get attention.
Through the years, the watch got multiple iterations. In 1970, the very next year after its launch, the watch was revisited and then launched in a pronounced and bolder manner. The design was named SL and displayed many new features. The watch was thicker, larger, and of course, bolder. IWC watches for women got something to boast about as well, as there were feminine versions available too. These watches were launched in precious metal and steel.
1985 Onwards
It all changed drastically in 1985 when IWC, amidst all the chaos that descended upon the Swiss watchmaking industry, introduced the new and improved Da Vinci watch. The timepiece was made by Kurt Klaus. It had the perpetual calendar with a moon phase. It also had a chronograph function that made it one of the most mechanically complicated watches at that time. Surprisingly, it is still among the most complicated combinations available out there.
The Da Vinci is also remembered for being the first watch that displayed a ceramic case. The Da Vinci watch sported a black zirconium oxide ceramic case. It was not only aesthetically pleasing but also functionally superior as it was scratch resistant.
The IWC collection of Da Vinci received a new addition in the form of the Split Second Chronograph. This watch celebrated the 10th anniversary of the iconic invention. The Da Vinci watch was special because it reminded people of the design’s prowess and influence in modern watchmaking. It was also unique because it had a bunch of complications and no less than ten hands on the dial. That is simply a lot.
In the 2000s, the Da Vinci witnessed a lot of newer versions that were essentially tributes to the past. 2009 saw the launch of the Perpetual Calendar which displayed a tonneau case with leather straps. It also included a perpetual calendar with a digitized date and month display. These iterations remained on the brand’s official catalogue up until 2017 when IWC came out with a completely new array of timepieces at the SIHH.
Post-SIHH 2017
The Da Vinci collection launched in 2017 was a much better and more attuned version of its predecessor. The speculation that IWC only promotes men’s watches were also shattered in 2017 when the Da Vinci presented some feminine watches. The collection featured watches with chronographs, perpetual calendars, and tourbillions.
Rich In Complications
The Da Vinci collection is surely rich in numerous complications. Over the years, IWC has introduced all sorts of complications into the Da Vinci family. Starting from the classic chronograph to as far as a perpetual calendar with a Moonphase, nothing is new to the popular collection. Some of the best examples that come to mind are the Da Vinci Automatic and the Da Vinci Automatic Moon Phase.
Although the collection started off as a pioneering timepiece in Swiss Quartz watches, it is interesting to see where it stands today. It will be safe to say that the Da Vinci has successfully embraced the mechanical side and in that process, it has also become a trailblazer. At present, there are plenty of IWC watches for women too that feature Da Vinci references. This is especially surprising because Da Vinci debuted as a men-centric watch.
The Da Vinci will always have a special place in the hearts of true watch connoisseurs no matter what. What makes this watch so revered is the way it perfectly portrays IWC’s image. It is classy, aesthetic, and most importantly, it has the courage to set itself apart from the rest. Needless to say, that is something that is worth the collective appreciation of the entire watchmaking fraternity.
