What about Da Vinci in general?

When I think of next year's novelties the first family that comes into my mind is the Da Vinci because it hasn't been renovated since 2007. And of the family members are quite few left. But now I've heard that next year will probably be an Aquatimer year again which has been renovated 2009 last time.
So what is the future of the Da Vinci? Will it be updated, will there just be some special editions? What are the plans with Da Vinci? Did the idea of a successful tonneau watch fail?
I don't think it is one of the top sellers of the current IWC collection. But I liked the idea of a very different, special and interesting design approach. But the most interesting model for me, the one with ceramic parts disappeared very soon. Why?
Any ideas or opinions or comments on that topic? Probably someone has "inside" informations on that?

First, I don't agree that quite a few members of the Da Vinci family left. There are four basic types: the Automatic, the Chrono, the Perpetual Calendar Kurt Klaus and the Perpetual Calendar Digital Date Month: the latter introduced in 2009. The Kurt Klaus was discontinued in 2012. Some versions of some types disappeared after one or more years, like the ceramic Chrono, and the ladies Automatic with diamonds.

It seems that the Da Vinci performed reasonably well, but of course only IWC knows. Maybe not so much in Europe or America, but maybe in Asia. The point to me at least was to make a non-round watch that appeals to people that are not necessarily part of the traditional IWC fan club. By doing so, the market for IWC watches was made bigger. I was never a big fan of the Da Vinci family, but then, that was the point to me, as explained. To me, the Da Vinci was simply too big, and I didn't like this kind of tonneau shape, which lacked a bit of elegance. That this can be done differently is shown by the Vacheron Constantin Malte models that were introduced last year. I tried one on in Zermatt this year, beautiful, but not for me.

In itself, the Da Vinci watches are perfect. I was shown the technical intricacies of its case at IWC Schaffhausen back in 2009 and I was quite impressed. As with other watches, anything can be changed. To me, a slightly more elegant shape would be welcomed, but let's be fair, that opinion doesn't really count: the chances I would buy one are very small indeed. But 2015 seems to be Da Vinci year, as always I am curious what the new collection by then will be.

Kind regards,
Paul

From my understanding the Da Vinci line is the weakest sellingline of them all. But that should be no surprise, watches in a tonneau shape are typically far less popular than rounds in the entire watch universe.

The point is, this style does appear to some, no matter how few. I love the Da Vinci line, it's what got me into IWC... and led me to 'catch the virus' and buy more (of other families). And that is the important point that I hope IWC never forgets - i.e. keeping a broad enough 'entry' selection to appeal to many, hoping they'll catch the bug.

My first IWC, which to me still exudes a significant amount of elegance:

[](s1164.photobucket.com/user/teeveetee9/media/P1030412-1.jpg.html)

Regards,
Thang

Great question. I do like the DaVinci line quite a lot, however the number of Portuguese in my collection outnumber DaVinci by 5:1. Still my DaVinci Perpetual Kurt Klaus is the favorite in my collection. I have no official sales data to justify how the product sells - so I could not make any strong statements to back up the ones in this thread about the DaVinci's lower sales figures - especially since IWC doesn't even share those - unless you got a regional comment from a country manager or Boutique manager on what is selling better locally...

Paul, I would not say the Kurt Klaus edition was 'discontinued'. That was a limited edition.

I wouldn't mind seeing a DaVinci 'refresh' soon. Lest we forget that it was the DaVinci, so named that saved IWC from the industry crisis in the 1970s-1980s - when Kurt Klaus and IWC brass took a risk to invest in highly complicated watches that would reach new market segments to offset cheap watches from Japan and APAC.

I had an idea several years ago which I shared on the forum. Probably back in 2009 or so. I photoshopped up a sleek DaVinci Perpetual with matte black dial, case in ceramic and hands and indices in a dark titanium. The idea, was a subtle - more elusive and mysterious watch that required you to look a little more closely to see fine details. As you know the Kurt Klaus Perpetuals have wonderful guilloche dials and hidden features that appear in different lighting... My idea below got a lot of negative comments, as I recall. Mostly due to "readability" which I do not think is a factor in jewelry - and now with all the ceramic Big Pilots with dark green and Blue and colored dial features are more popular - I wonder if this sentiment has changed...hmmmm

You are quite right, Richard. In my mind I presumed that at least the steel ones wouldn't have been sold out, and that the series just was stopped. I just looked it up, the following numbers apply:

Platinum case, white dial, 50 pieces, in catalogue in 2007;
Rose gold case, white dial, 500 pieces, in catalogue from 2007 to 2008;
Steel case, white dial, 3,000 pieces, in catalogue from 2008 to 2011;
Rose gold case, black dial, 1,000 pieces, in catalogue from 2009 to 2011.

Two remarks:
Your Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Kurt Klaus looks fantastic on you;
Your stealth Da Vinci's I remember very well, I found them at least remarkable when you showed them, and I think they would be amazing right now.

Kind regards,
Paul

Interesting topic.

I am a devotee of IWC. I am a 'Portuguese' guy.

Respect all of the lines. Da Vinci is a glorious collection. Revolutionary. Elegant. But I believe needs a serious revival.

A few quick comments:

--the Da Vinci line is not the strongest seller, but was never intended to be. It was much more intended as a cutting edge, avant garde product (remember,it was launched with IWC's inhouse chronograph).

--it was not intended to compete with the much smaller and more elegant tonneau Vachersons, but more like against the Richard Mille's --but somewhat more conservative and much less costly.

--I don't know the full line-up yet, but to my knowledge as of today there won't be new Da Vinci's in 2014.

That said, I really like my CFDV. It's versatile, classy, different and not gimmicky.

Richard,

I was not a member of the Forum when you first presented these renditions, but I must say in ceramic/Ti these are really really nice. Your excellent photoshop skills made these variations possible and I think in today's environment they would be very well accepted. IMO the ceramic changes the case design look totally and gives it more of a "tool" appearance. Great pairing of the VC-AT and AT2000 rubber straps.

Thanks for sharing these in 2013. Those who weren't around in '09 I'm sure are appreciating it like me.

Andy

It was the Perpetual Da Vinci (KK) on the wrist of my boss many years ago that caught my eye and placed IWC deep into my subconscious as a brand of beauty and quality. When I complimented his watch "I keep noticing your watch, its beautiful, do you mind ne asking what it is?" he changed from quiet and reserved to revealing an amazing passion for the watch and his PP Portuguese.

I had hoped there would be a refresh of the range next year, as the models I can afford don't excite me when I try them on, fingers crossed it will not be too many years before the refresh.

I love the Da Vinci line. It is my favourite IWC line by far. I love them all but it was the Da Vinci's that 1st got me into IWC. My Chronograph Ceramic is awesome. I look forward to the line being revamped. I hope it remains a permanent IWC line. I will definitely buy more in the future.

I was indifferent about the DaVinci line until the CFDV was proposed as a the forum watch. Admittedly, I purchased it initially because the watch was a very visible link to this great forum...but I wear my CFDV quite often and it is a favorite in my small collection. I agree with Michael's estimation!

In my view IWC is about choice and the Da Vinci line is the only choice if you want a tonneau shaped IWC watch. Personally, I only like round face watches, but that is just one opinion.

Hi Richard,
I love the perpetual calendar Da Vinci but I always wondered about your dial color ... ;-)
I love the WG Da Vinci chrono the most because of (guess what?) ... the color of the dial is perfect (see TEEVEETEE's pic).
Richard, your idea of the ceramic version somehow came to life in a modified way with the ceramic chrono but I really wonder why it was discontinued. I guess it didn't make the sales figures it was supposed to make maybe because of the price. But I also guess the dial and case was really difficult to produce. But I liked that model the most of them all.
Maybe we'll see something more in 2015. I would really appreciate.

Alan. there is still plenty of time for you to catch the Da Vinci and Vintage bugs... =P

Regards,
Thang

I love the DV, especially my KK one

The Da Vinci line is very interesting. I really like the old, round perpetual Rattrapante. Another beauty is the rose gold, black dial tonneau shaped Perpetual, limited edition Kurt Klaus.

Another nice watch is the Da Vinci from the Vintage collection and maybe if I stumble upon one at the right moment I might buy it!

Kind regards,

Clemens

I love the VC Da Vinci. To me, it looks really 70's. It is very cool.

I wish round ceramic Da Vincis and old Novecentos (in my part, much more cult than JLC Reverso and Cartier Tank) would return as a limited edition or under some 'vintage collection 2' series!