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IWC Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Chronograph In Steel – The Cornerstone Of The 2017 Collection

As we’ve seen yesterday, the story behind the IWC Da Vinci has been eventful and longer than many thought. If the first edition dates back 1969, it’s really in 1985 that the Da Vinci obtained the recognition we know today, with one iconic version, the Ref. 3750 Perpetual Calendar Chronograph, conceived in the mind of genius Kurt Klaus. For 2017, there’s a new Da Vinci collection, which takes inspiration in that vintage model. And this might be the main reason why we heard many collectors praising one edition in particular, the one we believe to be the cornerstone of the 2017 range, the IWC Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Chronograph in Steel.

Eventful, Innovative, Sometimes Unloved, Sometimes Iconic… The History Of The IWC Da Vinci

Over several decades of existence, the IWC Da Vinci has drastically evolved and has seen dozens of versions and style. Yet, even if this watch is certainly not as popular as the Portugeiser or the Big Pilot’s Watch, it has been the field for multiple innovations and milestones for the brand. Before we go hands-on with the latest version of the Da Vinci, in what we think is the key model of the 2017 collection, the Perpetual Calendar Chronograph, as a tribute to the famous 1985 watch created by legend Kurt Klaus, a short history of the IWC Da Vinci would be more than useful.

SIHH 2017 – The Piaget Polo S Black ADLC / Rubber (The new Limited Editions That Make A World Of Difference)

Launched with great fanfare in the middle of last year – see our introducing article – the Piaget Polo S was both a breath of fresh air for Piaget and, at the same time (and unfortunately) the most controversial watch of the year 2016. This is the sad part of the story. This watch is great… alone. But it lives in a market full of competitors. It seems that Piaget heard the complaints and for the SIHH 2017, some new limited editions have been showed, the Piaget Polo S Black ADLC / Rubber 3-hand and chronograph – a world of difference… And that’s were the deal becomes pretty interesting.

SIHH 2017 – Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Chronograph Perpetual Calendar – now available in Pink Gold

Back in September 2016 we told you about the launch of the revamped Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Chronograph Perpetual Calendar. An update to one of the brand’s more iconic models, the new ref. 5000T boasted a re-designed dial and an improved movement. At the time however it was only available in a platinum case, unlike its predecessor which was also available in rose gold. At SIHH 2017, Vacheron Constantin completes this evolution with the official unveiling of the ref. 5000T-000R, featuring a gorgeous 18K 5N pink gold case.

SIHH 2017 – Hands-On With The New Montblanc TimeWalker Chronograph UTC

Montblanc has more or less reinvented itself over the last few years, with innovative complications, well designed watches, new high-tech materials and development of the Minerva manufactured movements alongside the goal of “accessible luxury”. All offered at a relative competitive price, even if we are talking about the incredible Montblanc 1858 Chronograph Tachymeter. New for this year will be no less than 5 new TimeWalker models including this Montblanc TimeWalker Chronograph UTC, the traveller’s sport chronograph of the collection.

SIHH 2017 – IWC Da Vinci Chronograph Edition “Laureus Sport for Good Foundation”

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last few weeks you should already be aware that 2017 is the year of the Da Vinci for IWC. In layman’s terms that means that Schaffhausen-based manufacturer has completely overhauled the Da Vinci collection this year, complete with a return to the more traditional (and in my opinion, more attractive) round case. Included within this newly revamped collection is the Da Vinci Chronograph Edition “Laureus Sport for Good Foundation”, a special watch with an ulterior motive. Read on to find out what it is.

SIHH 2017 – Ulysse Nardin Regatta (Or What Could Well Be The Cleverest Regatta Watch So Far)

Live from SIHH 2017, where Ulysse Nardin is exposing for the first time, we’ve just been introduced to what could basically be one of the (if not the) cleverest Regatta watches ever. While most of the regatta watches are basically reversed chronographs (which make a count-down instead of timing an event), this watch simply does both, in the most practical possible way. How? By having a bidirectional second hand that starts counterclockwise during the count-down and once it hits zero, changes direction automatically to become a chronograph. It is impressively ingenious and here is how the Ulysse Nardin Regatta works (and take a look at the following video, it will makes things clear).

SIHH 2017 – Audemars Piguet Introduces the Refreshed Royal Oak Chronograph

The best way to ruin an icon watch is certainly to deeply redesigned it. It seems that Audemars Piguet has this statement massively printed everywhere in the design department. Don’t change the Royal Oak, as you’ll certainly end with a result that is not as good at what you already have. Still, the market is a sucker for novelties and some fresh air is needed, from time to time. With this in mind, Audemars Piguet Introduces the Refreshed Royal Oak Chronograph at the SIHH 2017. So no big move, just some tiny little evolutions to make it rather appealing in the end, including a two-tone dial design.

SIHH 2017 – Montblanc TimeWalker Chronograph Automatic (Hands-On)

This is the big one for Montblanc this year, the brand new TimeWalker collection. After several editions of the SIHH focusing on classical and elegant timepieces – what the brand called “accessible luxury” – Montblanc has just decided to go opposite side and presents what you don’t expect from them: a sports watch collection. In fact, this was Davide Cerrato’s main objective when he joined the brand, as Managing Director of the Watch Division. And to prove that he has done what he were asked to, here is the very appealing Montblanc TimeWalker Chronograph Automatic.

SIHH 2017 – A. Lange & Söhne Tourbograph Perpetual Pour le Merite (with tourbi, split-seconds, QP and fusée-and-chain)

Here we go. Monday 16th January 2017, 9am Geneva time. The SIHH 2017 is officially opened. And what could have been better than this A. Lange & Söhne Tourbograph Perpetual Pour le Merite to sound the start of the show. In short, this watch is simply mega. If you are into watches for already a few years, you might be aware of the 2005 A. Lange & Söhne Tourbograph Pour le Merite, an impressive watch combining a tourbillon, a split-seconds chronograph and a fusée-and-chain transmission. Add to that a perpetual calendar and you’ll have one of the most impressive watches ever created by the Saxon Manufacture (after the Grande Complication), which is the brand’s highlight for his year. Here is the A. Lange & Söhne Tourbograph Perpetual Pour le Merite.

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Category: Chronographs