IWC | DA VINCI, REF 3750 YELLOW GOLD PERPETUAL CALENDAR CHRONOGRAPH WRISTWATCH WITH MOON-PHASES CIRCA 1998

As the name suggests the present lot is ingenious in its own right. The Da Vinci range from IWC has always played to scientific foresight and, born of the quartz crisis, initially featured a BETA 21 movement. Introduced in 1985, the reference 3750 was re-designed, making it a model which to this day is iconic of IWC. 

This re-design was significant, especially in direct comparison, to the inaugural reference 3501. It's round shape and articulated lugs were the vision of Hano Burtscher and served to make the watch instantly recognisable. This is not an easy feat, especially considering its circular shape, yet it was, and remains still, entirely discernible from its contemporaries.  

Secondly, always focusing on technical innovation, the reference ushered in a new era, powered now by a Valjoux 7750 automatic movement, the watch demonstrated the prevalence of the mechanical over the electronic in stark contrast to its predecessors. It also featured complications; the perpetual calendar and the chronograph. What's more the perpetual calendar featured a incredibly innovative upgrade, devised by Kurt Kraus, which allowed the user to configure the calendar via the crown, removing the need for inconvenient setting pushers to the case band. 

In summary it is interesting to note that, all things considered, the 3750 lives up to its heritage and mantra, despite, or perhaps due to, it being very different from the Da Vinci's that it succeeded. 

The present lot has been wonderfully preserved and is accompanied by its full 18k gold bracelet and presentation case.