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The 1985 IWC Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar IW3750: A Mechanical Calendar and Chronograph

Launched in 1985, the IWC Da Vinci IW3750 paired a mechanical perpetual calendar with a chronograph and a crown-based calendar adjustment designed for simplicity.
Estimate3–4 min Catalogued SpecialistWatchRanker Team
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IWC introduced the Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar reference IW3750 in 1985, combining a mechanical perpetual calendar with a chronograph. Its defining idea was not only to account for the calendar’s irregularities, but to make the indications unusually straightforward to set: IWC says they could be adjusted together through the crown.

A perpetual calendar joined to a chronograph

IWC’s historical account places the project against the backdrop of the quartz crisis. The brand says its then head watchmaker, Kurt Klaus, developed the mechanical calendar concept, which debuted in the Da Vinci family in 1985 as reference IW3750. The result paired the calendar with a chronograph rather than presenting the calendar as a standalone complication. IWC’s Da Vinci history credits Klaus with the concept and says a working prototype was completed in time for the 1985 Basel Watch Show.

The significance of that pairing lies in the calendar’s workload. A perpetual calendar accounts for months of different lengths and leap years; IWC says the IW3750’s mechanism did so mechanically. The chronograph added a separate timing function to a watch whose calendar was already designed to track long-term changes in the date.

Designed to be set from the crown

Klaus’s approach, as IWC presents it, centered on making a complicated calendar easier to operate. IWC says the date, day, month, moon-phase and year indications were synchronized, and could be reset together using the crown. Its historical press account likewise says that after the watch had been put aside, the displays could be adjusted through the crown. IWC’s historical press account describes this as a way to avoid handling several separate correctors.

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SEA-GULL Men's Mechanical Wristwatch, Seagull 1963 Aviation Chronograph Pilot Mechanical Watch, Manual Winding, GD 1963 International Edition, ST1901 (Black)
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This is the central distinction of the IW3750’s calendar concept: the mechanism handled complicated calendar logic, while the user-facing adjustment was intended to be simple. The 2017 IWC catalogue also describes reference 3750 as a mechanical chronograph with perpetual calendar, moon phase and a four-digit year display, with calendar indications set via the crown. IWC’s 2017 catalogue lists date, day, month, year, decade, century, millennium and moon phase among the indications; that catalogue description should not be read as independent verification of every production example.

Four-digit year and moon phase

The four-digit year display made the calendar’s long-range ambition visible on the dial. IWC also highlights the moon-phase indication as part of the watch’s identity. According to IWC’s historical press account, the moon-phase display would deviate by one day after 122 years. That is a claim about the display’s stated long-term accuracy, not a guarantee about the condition or performance of any surviving watch.

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SEAKOSS 1963 Pilot Chronograph Watch for Men, Original Seagull ST1901 Manual Wind Mechanical Movement, Vintage Military Wristwatch
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Two historical details IWC describes differently

IWC’s own accounts do not use identical figures for the calendar module or its correction horizon:

Detail IWC historical press account IWC Da Vinci history
Calendar module parts 82 individual components (IWC historical press account; source-page year not stated) 81 parts (IWC Da Vinci history; source-page year not stated)
Correction horizon No manual correction needed until 2100 (IWC historical press account; source-page year not stated) Virtually no correction until 2499 (IWC Da Vinci history; source-page year not stated)

The reviewed accounts do not explain these differences. It is safest to describe the calendar as designed for a long period of operation without adjustment rather than to present either date horizon as a single settled specification. The same care applies to the component count: IWC’s pages give both 81 and 82, with no reconciliation.

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Sugess Chrono Hertiage SUCHP005Z Brown Racing Leather ST1901 Mechanical Chronograph Mens Wrist Pilot Watch Seagull 1963
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What the reference tells a collector—and what it does not

IW3750 is the reference IWC associates with the Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar’s 1985 debut, so it is a useful precise phrase when looking up the historical model. The reference and the brand’s published history do not, by themselves, establish that a particular watch is genuine, available, complete, or in good condition. Current listings, prices, authenticity, service history, movement variation and strap or bracelet compatibility are not established by these historical accounts. Any prospective buyer should verify the precise reference and seller independently.

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Sugess Mechanical Chronograph Watch Men Seagull Gooseneck Movement Panda Hand Wind Wrist Watches Waterproof Sapphire Military Pilot Watch (White), 1963
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  • What you get: A Sugess Watch, an instruction book, a guarantee card, a adjustment tool and a cleaning cloth. Your satisfaction is our priority. If you have any questions about the casual men fashion watch, please feel free to contact us. We will give you professional service in 24 hours

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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