IWC's perpetual calendar "Da Vinci" is both convenient and elegant

IWC's masterpiece "Da Vinci," released in 1985, shattered the concept and conventional wisdom of the perpetual calendar. The IWC calendar model, which faithfully inherited that lineage, was developed for those of us living in the modern era. Let's take a look back at the history of its development and reexamine the convenience and significance of IWC's perpetual calendar.

IWC's achievement of elevating the perpetual calendar into a practical luxury watch

　The perpetual calendar is one of the most complex mechanisms in luxury mechanical watches. According to the classic book "The Art and History of the Swiss Watch" (1953), it was first developed in 1853 by Louis-Élysée Piguet, a watchmaker from the Vallée de Joux in Switzerland. Perpetual calendars later evolved from pocket watches to wristwatches, but they required a long time and many parts to make, and were difficult, delicate, and expensive to operate. They were not something that everyone could afford.

　This conventional wisdom was overturned by the Da Vinci, a perpetual calendar chronograph released by IWC in 1985. This model was the first in the world to feature a four-digit year display mechanically programmed for the next 500 years, and was simple to operate and highly reliable.

　The person in charge of development was Kurt Klaus, who was IWC's chief developer at the time. In a 2006 interview, he explained the background to the development of the Da Vinci as follows:

"At the end of the 1970s, the perpetual calendar was conceived as a way to offer watch enthusiasts more satisfaction than quartz watches. At the time, the complexity of operation was a problem with this mechanism, so I prioritized ease of operation above all else. The Da Vinci was born based on the idea that 'if we can design it with as few parts as possible and eliminate unnecessary parts, it will be easier to assemble and cheaper.'"

　With its reasonable price, simple operation, and high reliability, the Da Vinci revived the popularity of complicated mechanical watches and made them widely known for their practicality. IWC's many modern perpetual calendar models continue this tradition and technology.

　The most representative of these is the Portugieser Perpetual Calendar, which, although not equipped with a chronograph, faithfully inherits the functions and layout of the Da Vinci. Of course, it also features a four-digit year display, which was first implemented in a perpetual calendar on the Da Vinci, programmed for the next 577 years. On the other hand, it also boasts features that surpass the Da Vinci, such as a long power reserve of approximately seven days and a power reserve display, thanks to the highly efficient and reliable Pellaton automatic winding mechanism.

　The Portofino Perpetual Calendar, a small-sized model, allows you to easily experience the convenience of a perpetual calendar. This model features the essential functions of a perpetual calendar—month, day of the week, date, leap year, and moon phase display—while also being reasonably priced and comfortable to wear.

　In addition to these elegantly designed perpetual calendar models, IWC also offers sportier-looking models, such as the Big Pilot's Watch Perpetual Calendar Top Gun Ceratanium and the Big Pilot's Watch Perpetual Calendar Top Gun "Lake Tahoe."

　The case of the former, in particular, is made of a new material developed by IWC called Ceratanium, which combines the lightness and robustness of titanium with the hardness and scratch resistance of ceramic, making it a tough, modern complication.

　The fact that perpetual calendars are offered on such a wide scale is only possible with IWC, which has established a reputation for ease of use and high reliability. It is the culmination of a tradition of developing complex mechanisms that has continued since the Da Vinci in 1985. This complicated timepiece, which could be said to be the crystallization of human wisdom, embodies value and a destiny that should be passed on to future generations. This is why we assert that the perpetual calendar is an immortal complication that should be acquired "now," not "someday."

The complete calendar showcases sophisticated functionality and style

　The fact that perpetual calendars are offered on such a wide scale is only possible with IWC, which has established a reputation for ease of use and high reliability. It is the culmination of a tradition of developing complex mechanisms that has continued since the Da Vinci in 1985. This complicated timepiece, which could be said to be the crystallization of human wisdom, embodies value and a destiny that should be passed on to future generations. This is why we assert that the perpetual calendar is an immortal complication that should be acquired "now," not "someday."

　A complete calendar is a watch that displays the month, day of the week, and date, and only requires the crown to be turned to advance the date when the month has fewer than 10 days. While a perpetual calendar automatically corrects the number of days in each month and leap years to display the correct date, the unique feature of a complete calendar is that it is easier to use and is more suitable for everyday use.

　The IWC Portofino Complete Calendar is equipped with this practical function. As befits a model named after a luxury Italian resort, its well-balanced, symmetrical dial design exudes elegance and offers excellent legibility.

　First, the day of the week indicator is coaxial with the moon phase indicator, while the central dial at 6 o'clock features three hands indicating the hours, minutes, and seconds.

　The movement is the in-house manufactured Cal. 32150, which is equipped with a second hand stop mechanism and allows for accurate time setting in synchronization with a time signal. The case back is see-through with sapphire crystal, allowing the careful finishing of the Cal. 32150 to be observed. Furthermore, the model shown in the photo combines a red gold case with a taupe-colored strap, creating an even more subdued look that is also appealing.

　The Portofino Complete Calendar combines the convenience and well-balanced display system of a complete calendar with the elegant and sophisticated appearance that only a Portofino can offer, making it a desirable calendar watch that will appeal to any watch enthusiast.