| Brand | IWC |
|---|---|
| Model | |
| Reference | IW3755-05 |
| Year of production (circa) | 1987 |
| Material | Ceramic |
| Crystal | Acrylic |
| Dial color | White |
| Movement | Automatic |
| Diameter | 39 mm |
| Bracelet/strap: | Leather |
| Buckle/clasp | Original gold buckle |
| Lug Width | 19 mm |
| Set Content | IWC Service papers 2024 |
A-IWC
IWC Da Vinci Ref. IW3755-05 Perpetual Calender
Introducing the IWC Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar, a watch with a significant historical narrative and remarkable engineering. Unlike the well-known Rolex Submariner or Omega Speedmaster, the IWC Da Vinci often remains in the shadows, but its story is equally compelling.
In the late 1970s, during the Quartz Crisis, Kurt Klaus, an influential figure at IWC, developed the brand’s first movement featuring a triple calendar and moonphase module. Despite initial skepticism, a limited run of the ref. 5500 pocket watch proved successful, marking Klaus’s transition to wristwatches in the 1980s.
Klaus envisioned a user-friendly perpetual calendar for wristwatches, a revolutionary idea at the time. His goal was achieved with the Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar, housing a crown-controlled module on the Valjoux 7750 movement. This groundbreaking design, with just 81 components, displayed a four-digit year and required no user intervention until 2100.
Designed by Hanno Burtscher, the Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar debuted in 1985 with a 39mm case and distinctive swiveling lugs. The design drew inspiration from Leonardo Da Vinci’s Codex Atlanticus, featuring rounded harbor fortifications. The watch, presented at the Basel fair, garnered over 100 orders, signaling the resurgence of mechanical watchmaking.
Fast forward to 1986, and the IWC Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar IW.3755.05 made history as the first perpetual calendar in white ceramic (and yellow gold). With a limited production, possibly around 50 units, this rare piece features an original 18k yellow gold buckle and only 81 moving parts, ensuring precision until the year 2499. How crazy is that? Meaning it knows all the leap years!
This exceptional timepiece from 1987, supported by 2024 IWC service papers, combines vintage charm with cutting-edge materials and craftsmanship. The striking combination of white ceramic and yellow gold, a rare find in the market, enhances its exclusivity. With a reputation as the first perpetual calendar of its kind, the IWC Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar IW.3755.05 is a true collector’s gem.
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Details
Backstory
Shipping
Brand
IWC
Diameter
39 mm
Model
Da Vinci
Bracelet/strap:
Leather
Reference
IW3755-05
Buckle/clasp
Original gold buckle
Year of production (circa)
1987
Lug Width
19 mm
Material
Ceramic
Set Content
IWC Service papers 2024
Crystal
Acrylic
Warranty
2 year (AWCo)
Dial color
White
Movement
Automatic
International Watch Company, better known as IWC Schaffhausen, was founded by American watchmaker Florentine Ariosto Jones in 1868. The company specialized in Aviation watches and is currently operating under the Richemont Group umbrella.
IWC introduced its first pilot’s watch in 1936. An inner rotating pointer could be used to keep track of take-off times and the escapement was anti-magnetic, to cope with the magnetic fields from the cockpit instruments.
In 1939, two Portuguese distributors ordered a large wristwatch with pocket watch movement and another iconic IWC line was born: the Portugieser. Today, particularly the dressy Portugieser chronographs are popular among IWC aficionados.
When Europe plummets into WWII, IWC is commissioned by both sides of the conflict to supply military watches. The two best-known examples are the Dirty Dozen field watches for the allies and the big pilot, known as Beobachtungsuhr or B-uhr, for the German Luftwaffe. The latter would form the design template for the later Big Pilot range.
Towards the end of WWII, IWC developed a new military movement, known as Cal. 89. When the war ends, the tough caliber is fitted to civilian watches. The Cal. 89 watches, many in classic Calatrava style, remain popular among collectors until today. In 1948, the Cal. 89 is fitted to the Pilot Mk XI, another popular vintage reference.
1955 Saw the introduction of another influential IWC model: the Ingenieur. IWC used its expertise in magnetic resistance to manufacture a watch for engineers and scientists, working with magnetic fields. This is two years after Rolex introduced the Milgauss for the same clientele.
In 1967, IWC branches out into water sports. The Aquatimer is introduced as a serious divewatch. The more casual Yacht Club is launched alongside for all-purpose daily wearing.
IWC remained innovative, being among the early adopters of the brand new quartz technology, for instance. But the house also recognized the value of heritage, building on its historic Pilot and Portugieser ranges. The result is a broad scope of all sorts of watches, for all sorts of people. Through it all, IWC maintained a reputation as high quality watchmakers.
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