Lot 83

IWC / Intern. Watch Co.

Da Vinci Ceramic Chronograph

An extremely rare neo-vintage wrist chronograph with perpetual calendar and perpetual moon phase display in a ceramic case with 18 K white gold bracelet - to the best of our knowledge, only 3 examples were built in this version

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The IWC Da Vinci was the world's first automatic chronograph with a perpetual calendar and four-digit year display. It became a symbol of IWCs watchmaking excellence and innovative spirit. In 1985, IWC launched this movement as a deliberate counterstatement to the prevailing quartz trend: the IWC automatic calibre 79261, based on the proven Valjoux 7750, but completely re-engineered by IWC and equipped with the ingenious perpetual calendar module developed by Kurt Klaus. This module automatically recognizes leap years, month lengths, and displays the moon phase with remarkable precision - all purely mechanical and adjustable via the crown.
For this highly complex automatic movement, IWC created a truly special watch made of ceramic and gold - the first ever to feature a bi-colour design of black ceramic and 18-carat white gold. The contrast of black and white is perfectly echoed in the finely textured white dial. Despite the multitude of indications, the design remains balanced, symmetrical, and decidedly elegant.
With its movable white gold lugs and beautifully crafted 18-carat white gold bracelet, the Ref. 3755 is a timepiece that stands apart from all others of the quartz era. It is not only a technical tour de force, but also a statement of refined taste - a watch for connoisseurs of classical complications who know exactly what they are wearing.