The New Da Vinci Code

IWC Schaffhausen revisits the iconic design of the 1980s and pre­sents the 2017 Da Vinci collection, once again with its classic round case. Two Da Vinci timepieces feature newly developed IWC-manufactured calibres that innovatively combine and integrate complications

The Back of Da Vinci Tourbillon Rétrograde Chronograph (Ref. IW393101)

The name of the Da Vinci Tourbillon Rétrograde Chronograph (Ref. IW393101) in 18-carat red gold alone reflects its unique status: an unusual combination of a classic tour­billon with a retrograde date and a sporty chronograph on a single dial. The further-developed 89360 chronograph calibre, the new IWC-manufactured 89900 calibre, permits down-to-the-second setting of what is known as the “hacking tourbillon” via a newly designed system of levers. The result is a technically sophisticated and optically balanced complication with a clear, uncluttered design. The wearer reads stopped hours and minutes off from a totalizer at the top of the dial, while a central seconds hand shows elapsed seconds. The flying tourbillon is positioned below at “6 o’clock” and, on the left-hand side, the gently curved arc of the retrograde date display almost visually connects one complication with the other. Apart from this, the pallet lever and escape wheel were manufactured with the use of diamond shell technology for the first time. This involves a diamond coating that reduces friction, thus gen­erating a higher output of energy.

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