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Novecento

Introduced: 1985

Purpose / Inspiration: The Da Vinci Novecento was created to showcase IWC’s return to high complications during the quartz era. It was one of the first perpetual calendar watches that could be set entirely via the crown—a revolutionary design by master watchmaker Kurt Klaus. The rectangular “Novecento” case gave it a distinct, elegant profile—less sporty, more architectural. It was brains, dressed in formalwear.

Designer: Complication by Kurt Klaus, case and design language developed in-house to re-establish IWC’s mechanical watchmaking dominance post-quartz crisis

Case size: ~33mm x 42mm (rectangular)

Case options:

  • 18k yellow gold
  • Stainless steel
  • Rare platinum versions
  • All featured polished cases with stepped sides and sapphire display backs on later models

Powered by:

  • IWC Caliber 37582
    • Based on Valjoux 7750 architecture
    • Integrated perpetual calendar module (date, day, month, year, moonphase)
    • Set entirely via crown—no pushers
    • ~44-hour power reserve
    • Chronograph in some references

Bezel: Flat polished bezel, rectangular profile integrated into the case body

Dial options:

  • Silver, cream, or champagne dials
  • Four symmetrical subdials: calendar functions + moonphase
  • Gold Roman numerals or baton indices
  • Blued or gold leaf hands depending on model

Water resistance: 30m

Bracelet:

  • Alligator leather strap with signed deployant buckle
  • Integrated lugs with curved case sides
  • Steel bracelet available on very limited references

Discontinued, but now quietly collected as a unique rectangular perpetual from IWC’s most innovative mechanical period

Why it matters: The Novecento wasn’t flashy—it was a mechanical statement piece. It told the world IWC could build true Swiss complications again. And thanks to Kurt Klaus, it did it smarter than anyone else.

Perpetual Calendar. Crown-Only Setting. 1985. Nothing else was like it

Rectangle with Reason: Not just different—engineered that way

Kurt Klaus’ Genius, Worn Daily: The most intuitive perpetual calendar of its time

Quiet Collector’s Grail: Rare, refined, and historically important

References for Novecento