The perpetual calendar wristwatch is one of the most complex yet elegant and practical complications that a timepiece can bear. Its downside is, historically, the complexity of its setting, often involving multiple pushers sunken in the case band. That is why IWC watchmaker Kurt Klaus decided that an easier way of setting it was necessary, and devised a mechanism thanks to which all adjustments are made via the crown. Furthermore the removal of the pushers freed up some room in the movement, which was used to add the chronograph complication - even with a remarkably long 12-hour maximum recordable length of time. The automatic winding feature was the last unbelievable - for the time - perk of this calibre. When IWC released this plethora of groundbreaking innovations the market was swept away - so much so that it is estimated that during those years IWC sold more perpetual calendars than the rest of the industry combined.
Originally launched with ref. 3570, this incredible movement was housed in a superbly imaginative hinged lugs case designed by Hano Burtscher.
Its architecture was inspired from Leonardo Da Vinci’s recurring circles, and the model was consequently named the Da Vinci.

The present example of Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar however pushes the boundaries of collectability much, much further as we are talking of ref. 3755. One of the earliest examples of a ceramic case watch, the model was offered in either white or black ceramic with gold back, lugs, pushers and crown. A challenge even nowadays, at the time creating a ceramic case was a daunting endeavour commanding an extremely high percentage of defective cases. Furthermore, the practicality of the watch coupled with the low resistance to shocks of ceramic implies that many of these pieces might have been damaged over time. To find an example in condition as pristine as this one is arguably a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.