The Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Chronograph - The One That Got Me Hooked

Roll back to 2004 and I was riding in a car in Thailand when I chanced upon a complicated looking timepiece that was not only legible but gorgeous... I later found out it was the IWC Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Chronograph and I have been on the lookout ever since, trying to find a good example in yellow gold.

Günter Blümlein and Kurt Klaus were the heroes that introduced this mechanical feat to the world in 1985. At that time, 4 digit year and adjustment by the crown were unheard of. Based on the workhorse calibre 7750, Mr. Klaus added a module on top of the base calibre to create this technical feat.

That stepped yellow gold case adds to it's vintage appeal. Most perpetual calendars at that time had pushers on the side of the case but not the Da Vinci - all the adjustments can be made by the screw down crown at the three o'clock position.

What amazes me about the Reference 3750 is the legibility. There may be subdials, but the entire dial is just so easy to read. Not busy at all.

Not only does it come with a perpetual calendar complications, the Da Vinci also houses a moon phase at 12 o'clock (below).

Then at the 9 o'clock position is the day indicator with the hacking seconds, something many brands (to this day) still does not have! Mind you, this timepiece was created way back in the mid 1980s!

Notice the 4 digit year? I believe this was a first in horology - the introduction of the 4 digit year in a QP.

The plexi glass gives the timepiece that vintage feel but also adds height to it. At 15mm high, the Da Vinci is not slim... not at all.

Another unusual feature are the hinge lugs. Despite the case being 39mm, it wears big, thanks to the lugs.

Those mushroom shaped chrono pushers makes the Da Vinci instantaneously recognisable. It was the Da Vinci that got me noticing IWC and also what got me into collecting timepieces.

I am happy that I finally found THE Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Chronograph and many thanks to a kind gentlemen (you know who you are). Later versions of the Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar also include the Rattrapante version and another featuring a Tourbillon. Those are, of course, more rare and sought after.

But I am happy with what I have - one of the "Must Have" timepieces if you are a serious collector.