The 1985 IWC Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar IW3750 is an important watch for IWC and the entire luxury watch world after the quartz crisis. Master watchmaker Kurt Klaus created a perpetual calendar mechanism in addition to an automatic chronograph. This reignited interest in complicated horology and changed the way people viewed IWC. This innovative watch brought fame to a brand known for its more instrumental pieces. Although there are many perpetual calendar watches in the IWC collection, there is not a single Da Vinci reference in the current lineup. Forty years after its conception, the time has come for the IW3750 to be remade.
I wouldn’t go so far as to say that IWC ignores da Vinci. Still, it’s unsettling to visit the brand’s website and see that product family completely gone, especially considering the importance of the Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar IW3750, which was launched in 1985. Currently, IWC is still riding the Ingenieur wave, and 2025 will mark the company’s 40th anniversary. The legendary “QP”. In other words, it’s the perfect time to reintroduce watches. IWC doesn’t even have to go to the trouble of developing an entirely new concept to do so. Fellow Richemont brand Vacheron Constantin kicked off its resurgence of watches in 2022 with the release of the gold 222, and a steel version debuted this year. In 2023, IWC introduced the Ingenieur, true to the original, and last year, Piaget introduced the glamorous Polo 79. The recipe works with a variety of ingredients, so to speak.
Image: ticking road
Now is the perfect time to reintroduce the 1985 IWC Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar IW3750.
The recent announcement of the steel Vacheron Constantin 222 made me wonder if there are any interesting watches left to reintroduce. Two that come to mind for me are the Rolex Oysterquartz and the IWC IW3750. Oysterquartz debuted in 1977, and aside from the fact that only two of the discontinued models are celebrating their 50th anniversary, it’s highly unlikely that Rolex will introduce a watch with a quartz movement in 2027. It’s low. If you just want to dream about Rolex’s new solar-powered quartz movement, you can, but to be honest, neither do I, it’s just not happening. Seeing the IW3750 return is a much more realistic idea.
Image: ticking road
swim against the current
The da Vinci IW3750 is distinguished by the combination of two elements: complications and design. Let’s focus on the technical aspects first. In the late 1970s, when Switzerland was overwhelmed by cheap quartz watches from the East, watchmaker Kurt Klaus was working on the brand’s first movement with a triple calendar and moon phase module. A man was working on the banks of the Rhine River near the famous Schaffhausen Falls when he swam against the current. But despite internal skepticism, he continued to work. Thanks to the efforts of a master watchmaker, the limited run of Ref. 2019 was successful. 5500 pocket watch.
And now it’s time for Klaus to focus on his watch. He turned to the perpetual calendar. He did not intend to create the first wristwatch with a perpetual calendar mechanism (in 1925, Patek Philippe created the world’s first wristwatch with the 97975, and this year marks the 100th anniversary of that watch. Get ready to see something special coming as we celebrate (at Watches and Wonders). Still, wrist-worn perpetual calendars were rare at the time.
Sketch by Kurt Klaus
Da Vinci’s Miracle: 81 components and 4-digit year display
Klaus didn’t just build a QP for the wrist. He wanted to build something user-friendly, something not associated with high-end, traditional luxury watches, but rather something that fit the IWC philosophy. It would be an understatement to say that the final watch was a tool watch, but the perpetual calendar module housed in the reliable Valjoux 7750 movement was a revolutionary design consisting of just 81 parts. Nevertheless, it displayed an accurate four-digit year until 2499, and an accurate moon phase indicator for the next 122 years.
This movement was installed in a watch designed by Hanno Blucher. He created a baroque-inspired 39mm case with eye-catching signature rotating lugs. Fittingly, inspiration came from the Codex Atlanticus, a 12-volume bound set of Leonardo da Vinci’s writings and drawings. The illustration of a round harbor fortress in the Codex was incorporated into the clock. When this complicated timepiece was introduced at the Basel Watch Fair in 1985, IWC immediately sold 100 pieces. This not only proved that complex watchmaking was still important, but also a testament to IWC’s capabilities.
Image: ticking road
2025: Year of the Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar
IWC made two attempts to update the design language of the IW3750, but unfortunately they were not very successful. A third attempt was never made, and da Vinci disappeared from the catalogue. But the third attempt could be more successful if IWC does what it did with the Ingenieur. That means staying close to the original and settling on just a few variations rather than creating a whole family.
I’m imagining a Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar IW375025 with a 39mm yellow gold case. Rather than the all-gold caseback of the original, the new version features a display back to show off the new movement. The appearance of the watch must be close to the original, as IWC, Vacheron Constantin and Piaget have done special re-editions. Still, some updates are inevitable and very welcome. For example, sapphire crystal is a good alternative to acrylic crystal. We also bring this retro watch into the modern era by using modern materials and manufacturing and finishing methods.
Image: Filipucci
Works well when used in combination
Kurt Klaus built a perpetual calendar with a moon phase display based on the Valjoux 7750 movement. Something similar exists in the current IWC movement lineup. It’s the 69355, part of the 69000 family of automatic chronograph calibers introduced in 2018. This 4Hz movement with a 46-hour power reserve consists of 205 components. It is similar in design to caliber 79320, a movement based on the Valjoux 7750, for example. Like the original, the 69000 family of calibers is suitable as the basis for future da Vinci QP movements in 39 mm cases. Additionally, IWC has a 42mm Portugieser Perpetual Calendar in its collection. That watch is powered by the brand’s caliber 82650, and while I’m not a watchmaker, perhaps its QP mechanism could be adapted to work with existing chronograph movements.
IW3755-03 and IW3755-05
Yes, 2026 could be the year of da Vinci again
I think 2026 may be an even more wonderful year for Da Vinci. Next year marks the 40th anniversary of the release of the Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar IW3755-03 (black) and IW3755-05 (white ceramic). These watches made history with their yellow gold and matching ceramic cases. Like the original IW3750, these watches still hold their own and are important to IWC as the brand has always established itself as a leader in ceramic watches.
It’s interesting that a while back Brandon wrote about the Da Vinci IW3750 in his “Wrist Game Or Crying Shame” series. The survey results left no room for imagination. 83% of readers said this watch is a wrist game. Watches and Wonders 2025 is finally here. Please don’t let us down, IWC.
Header image: ticking road
