IWC Da Vinci Automatic Edition ‘150 Years’: Malaysia Price and Review

IWC’s blue beauty shines.

Famed Swiss manufacture IWC Schaffhausen is celebrating their 150th this year and to commemorate this momentous occasion, they’ve released a special Jubilee collection comprising of 27 limited edition timepieces. Binding the entire collection together is a unique theme that sees the watches featuring imprinted dials of either white or blue, a tribute to the enamelled finishing of vintage IWC watches.

Joining in this celebration is IWC’s eponymous Da Vinci watches, a collection that has gone through a slew of redesigns since its introduction in 1969. Historically known as the watch that housed the first Swiss quartz movement, the Beta 21, perhaps the most well-known feature of the watch was its transition from round to tonneau to round cases and its unique articulating lugs, a feature that split even the most ardent of IWC fans.

For the special Jubilee collection, the Da Vinci Automatic Ref. IW358102 comes in a 40.4mm stainless steel case that’s 12.1mm in thickness. A pretty standard sizing for today’s dress watch, the watch, like other Jubilee collection models, features a pretty cool looking blue lacquered dial.

What’s unique about the lacquered dial is that it is coated with up to 12 layers of high-quality lacquer, flat-polished, brushed and then imprinted several times. Throughout the Jubilee collection, those with the white dial feature blued hands, while those with the blue dial have rhodium-plated hands. The unique combination of lacquered dials seemingly draws inspiration from the unusual aesthetic appeal of the enamelled dials used in early Pallweber models.

Aside from the pared-down classy face of the watch, one of the most significant features of the Da Vinci collection is of course the articulated lugs inspired from elements of an Art Deco era. While the multi axis lugs might raise a few eyebrows at first glace but once you slap it on your wrist, you’ll find its gentle hug quite a comfortable wear.

The watch is also the first to feature the new IWC-manufactured Calibre 82200 automatic movement. This is reflected in the small seconds sub-dial at six o’clock, which contrasts previous Da Vinci models that had a central seconds display as they were powered by IWC’s Calibre 35111, a movement based on the Sellita SW-300.

The Calibre 82200 features a Pellaton winding system and small hacking seconds. Featuring 33 jewels and beating at 4Hz, the movement boasts a power reserve of 60 hours. Seen through a sapphire caseback, the movement is nicely decorated with circular graining and Geneva stripes, while the skeletonised rotor features the ‘150 years’ insignia.

All the watches in the Jubilee collection are fitted with black alligator leather straps and the Da Vinci pieces are no different. Nothing to complain there as the Santoni leather strap complements the dressy vibe of the watch and makes it a pretty versatile casual or formal accompaniment. With just 30m of water resistance, we really don’t recommend you taking it for a dip (and certainly not with the Santoni leather strap). Limited to 500 pieces worldwide, the IWC Da Vinci Automatic Edition ‘150 Years’ is a pretty time-only watch that has an antique feel with a touch of modern finesse.

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