As we mentioned in our previous articles, IWC plans to focus on the Da Vinci Collection as the prominent product group for this year. The first model from the collection which is officially launched at SIHH 2017, is the IWC Da Vinci Tourbillon Retrograde Chronograph.
The famous brand, which has reserved the last year for the Pilot’s Watches mostly, seems to do the same for the Da Vinci Collection, which is well known with its classic designs as well and remarkable complications. The Da Vinci models, which were launched days before the SIHH 2017, attracted great interest by the watch enthusiasts. The IWC Da Vinci Tourbillon Retrograde Chronograph model, which is considered to be the flag ship of the collection, met watch aficionados at the opening of SIHH 2017.
The most remarkable feature of the model carries traces from the 80s soul. The collection has turned from an aesthetic point of view with the complication of the flying tourbillon with hacking feature.
The movement in the flagship model is based on one of the legendary designs by IWC: the Caliber Ref. 89900. The movement, which we remember from the Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Chronograph model, is graded with the hacking flying tourbillon module for this special timepiece. Thanks to the hacking feature, which is a fairly standard feature for conventional mechanisms, the tourbillon stops when the crown is pulled and precise sync can be done with any time source. This feature, which was introduced by the famous German watchmaker A. Lange & Söhne, is used for the first time in an IWC model.
Another first for IWC, and a very rare feature for the industry, is that the components that combine the movement are manufactured from diamond coated silicon. Thanks to this technology, which we have seen in Ulysse Nardin and Cartier models before, provides better magnetism-resistance and minimum friction.
The retrograde style date indicator is located on the left side of the dial which sports the typical layout of Caliber Ref.89000 family. The movement provides a power reserve of 68h when fully wound, and sports a tourbillon cage visible at the 6 o’clock position.
Made of 18K pink gold, the case measures 44mm in diameter and 17mm in height. There are sapphire crystals on both sides of the case, which stands out with its articulated lug design, symbolizing the renewed face of the Da Vinci Collection.
Pricing and availability have yet to be announced.
