We had a few previous reports and threads on PuristS sites.

Basel 2007: click here

Movement talk: click here

IWC press release notes: click here

Da Vinci Chronograph in platinum - Limited to 500 pieces    (From a sponsored Baselworld Report)

IWC's 1st proprietary chrono movement - flyback, 68 hour PR, Calibre 89360

- case entirely produced in Schaffhausen
- inserted glass, not glued
- anti-reflective both sides of sapphire glass
- 43mm
- screw-in crown
- 30mm water resistanace
- embossed dial
- special form of the hands like Leonardo quill with chamfered hands

Platinum - 500 pieces
WG, RG, SS - normal production

"double counter" - the watch within the watch

I think it is tough for "shaped" watches like the IWC Da Vinci Chronograph. Although attractive tonneau shape to many, in the main stream, round watches predominate. Hence the audience may be limited and they are not posting this secret pleasure.....

IWC maybe needs a better communication protocol because this IS a proprietary integrated chronograph movement and not a lot of people know this. Thank you for asking again here so that fellow PuristS may give their views.

As a long-time opponent of an IWC forum on PuristS (because dedicated IWC forums exist), your query and assertion that you're not getting the information or discussion, as well as requests from many IWC fans, may cause a rethink of that rationale.

Regards, MTF

 

This message has been edited by MTF on 2008-05-15 09:54:50

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Thanks for the links MTF. I also appreciate the comments and opinions.

How are you doing? I trust that all is well. When will you be coming to KL again? I really enjoyed our last dinner in KL, so we should do it again.

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I've had a dozen or more IWCs, mostly their technical watches - pilots, perpetual GST, etc.

I went to the new product introduction dinner and presentation in San Diego, kindly invited by my local dealer.
Having said that, I found the new watch to be more than I could handle.

It has ceased being something round on a strap, and is now a piece of steel "architecture".
Don't get me wrong, this is not a bad thing, but it is a different thing.
I have a Jorge Hysek, Seiko Galante and Reversos, so am not afraid of non-round.

BUT

There are very complex shapes everywhere on this case.
As you can see from looking at their technical data, it's multi-piece, with steel, titanium, gold, etc.  components.
And it feels it, being quite heavy even in steel.
There are curves and concave "dents" in places that I don't understand.

The strap is a monster, and a work of art, yet I can't imagine changing it due to the formed construction and large lugs.
No slapping on a "new pair of shoes" on this watch.

The novel 2-in-1 chrono counter (shared with Patek) seems like it would be a good thing, but it's none too easy to read.

So subjectively, it's an admirable piece of watchmaker art, but not for me.
Put the movement in another case and I might be more excited.

Mike

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I know that watch has been written-up in the various high-end watch magazines (IWC tends to get a lot of space in those magazines; e.g., see this past month's complete survey of their new lines in one and Quentin Tarantino on the cover of another with his IWC; etc.).  Anyway, the piece has gotten favorable reviews for horological innovation and I personally like the watch although I am not really a fan of chronographs generally.  I also personally like tonneau-shaped watches and own the one pitcured below:

 

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You're very right, this watch deserves more than silence, and as MTF said, we spoke about it here...

Personnaly, I'm a conservative guy..I appreciated a lot the previous version, the round one I owned in platinum before my watch disappeared let's say ..." accidentally"...

Here is a pic taken from the press file...



And pics of mine, which is the same watch, in the same version,





I prefer this version to the new one, as this version had a plexy, a more vintage look, and was very pleasant to wear.
The modern one is less appealing for me, even if it's a great watch, and without doubt, to consider for who wants to get a " Tonneau " watch...

Can't do anything else than thank you a lot for this post,n and for putting the light on a watch that really deserves some ( nice ) attentions.

Best.
Nicolas

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Cazalea, DB and Amanico - Thanks for  your honest thoughts and feedback on this watch.

It is very likely that this in-house chrono movement (which is round shape) will eventually be used in the other models. Perhaps in the Pilot and Ingenieur ranges? Perhaps some people are consciously, or unconsciously, holding out until that happens to pick up a watch with this IWC chrono movement.

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I can't get past how perfect the dial of your Da Vinci is ---I don't even need to get to the case of the previous Da Vinci to understand why many of you would be somewhat dissapointed with the new case.

THAT IS AN IMPRESSIVE DIAL--AND THE BUTTONS--WOW!

 

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Hi HW,

What people often fail to realise is the relatively small production of some models. Because this has a brand new movement in a new case, I believe that less than 2000 were made in the first year of production. While that may seem large compared to say, a Journe model, if you distribute those among 1200 points of sale, as IWC has, the few examples are widely dispersed.

I know of at least three persons who have the watch and reviewed it, to some extent, on the forum that I moderate at www.iwc.com. That to me is a fair amount of coverage. Not everyone takes extensive photographs (if any) and not everyone writes publicly about what they buy.  Often, for relatively expensive watches --and the Da Vinci chrono isn't a beginner's watch nor inexpensive for a steel watch-- people write less. I also have seen few IWC torubillon reviews on the Net.

I sometimes think that we can develop an "Internet view of the world", whereby we think that what we see --often on one or two bulletin boards on the Net-- allows us to form generalizations about things such as popularity, accesibility of infomration, etc. Often that can be a distorted view, which doesn't comport with reality.

Your conjecture that perhaps the Da Vinci chrono may not be selling well, because you haven't read much about it on the Net, is fortunately for IWC incorrect. It's really doing well.

Regards,

Michael

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Nt

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Michael,

Thanks for the insights. Compared to some other watches eg. the new Rolex GMT II, there just seems to be more people writing about it and showing scans and wrist shots. When I initially stated that there were few posts and reviews on the Da Vinci Chrono, I was actually referring not to official write-ups, pictures and reviews. But more of personal posts from owners who own the watch. There just seem to be so few people writing about their personal experience and posting pictures of this watch.

I am a member of the IWC forum, and have read close to all the picture reviews and posts on the Da Vinci Chrono. But it's like from 2-3 people only. But I see your point that the number of this watch made and distributed is comparatively small, and it's relatively higher price point perhaps mean that the type of people who purchase this watch are less likely to write about it on the Internet.

But good to know that it is doing well in terms of demand from customers, and in terms of appreciation. I have been eyeing this watch for a while. Time to have a relook.

HW

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HW,

Cant agree more with you on the exposure of the IWC's DaVinci.

Michael as an spokesman for the IWC forum rather quick reacting on the assurance of marketing aspect of the watch.We understand his responsibility very well.

On the conclusion made by severals,there are other gounds such as New movement(proprietary integrated in house movement),case construction,weighting of the case and even design of the case shape,might be the grounds to consider and many may opt for wait and see for the result before attempting something relatively new.

I am a big fan of IWC am happy to see such breakthrough by them and one thing is certain they built robust watch,looking the Pellaton winding mechanism and the new pawl design in Ingenuir and this Davinci they are built to last.

It will be interesting to watch and see what will they come out next on this particular integrated chrono movement.

Just my 2cts thoughts here.

Thanks.

BHK9

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I appreciate your response and also that you understood my initial post here as constructive. But with respect I must disagree when you wrote:

Michael as an spokesman for the IWC forum rather quick reacting on the assurance of marketing aspect of the watch.We understand his responsibility very well

My "job description" doesn't say that that I'm suposed to promote IWC nor do I normally even have time to post elsewhere. I just thought that there was a somewhat distorted perception about how that one model was doing, and I owed it to some readers to make a factual correction. Not out of any responsibility, mind you. I just was trying to be helpful as a private citizen.

Still, I appreciate what you say about insufficient marketing --even if it isn't correct worldwide, it's true for your perception. Fair enough. There should be more so no Internet groups or geographic areas in the world that feel that way. But that's also not my responsibility.

Regards.,

Michael

P.S. The Pellaton winding ststem in the c. 80110 and the c. 89360 are very different.

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Hi Michael,

I was wondering when you will be replying but did not expext it to be that fast.

Excuse me of pin pointing someone's responsibility or role.In general,readers would assume a moderator of a certain brand definately has their own responsibility.I would disagree your remarks as just being a citizen's point of view.

Being a Moderator you might be feed with lots of information on marketing aswell as technical aspect of watch/brand.But as a passionate person on watches is normal to comment that "exposure" on technicality are relatively low.This is just a opinion issue here and i am not the only one making such remarks.if there's opinion by public of such remarks,i think IWC should look into it.

Readers/collectors are wondering such simple and intelligent in-house chrono movement are simply ingenuis,why not make it to public and let more people understand the design and concept behind so that more people will appreciate the craftmanship and concept behind the watch.I think that is the only question in most of the collectors' mind.We remember  the huge and impressvie launch during SIHH 2007 but was not followed by intensive "exposure" world-wide in elaborating the "technical" aspect of the design on the movement.

Thanks for your reply.

BHK9

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