SIHH 2010: IWC Da Vinci Chronograph Ceramic (Ref. IW3766)

I hardly believe my eyes. The Swiss watch brand IWC has finally unveiled their first ceramic Da Vinci chronograph watch. Judging by the looks of it, the timepiece is going to be even more successful than the rose gold members of the Da Vinci family.

With its central section made of zirconium oxide (ZrO2,) which is both chemically inert and extremely hard, the 44 mm case also sports a bezel, case-back, winding crown and chronograph push-pieces made of polished titanium.

The choice of materials makes the watch look more elegant and also drives down the costs of production, because the ceramic part of the case requires enormous amount of energy to machine it to a perfect form. However, combining the scratch-resistant ceramic case with scratch-prone metal parts, IWC somehow defeats the very concept of a ceramic watch, which is supposed to always look like you have just bough it at your nearest AD.

Well, I hope that in a couple of years IWC will finally find an economically feasible way of making full-ceramic cases.

Inside the watch is hidden the Caliber 89360 automatic chronograph movement we have already seen in the last year’s IWC Aquatimer Chronograph in Red Gold (Ref. IW3769) and IWC Big Ingenieur Chronograph models.

First unveiled about three years ago and developed exclusively for the Da Vinci family of watches, the movement features a column-wheel switching, free sprung balance with 4 adjustable weights, flyback function and impressive 68 hours of power reserve with single barrel mainspring.

Still no info about the watch’s price, but expect it to be quite expensive.

Photos: IWC

IWC Da Vinci Chronograph Ceramic (Ref. IW3766) watch specification

Price range: N/A
Movement: Caliber 89360, automatic, in-house, column wheel chronograph, 40 jewels, 28800 vph
Complications: Bi-compass flyback chronograph, date
Power reserve: 68 hours
Case material: Black ceramic
Bezel material: Polished titanium
Case shape: Tonneau
Transparent case back: Yes, sapphire glass
Case size: 44 mm
Case height: 15.1 mm
Dial: Black
Hands: Titanium
Strap: Black calfskin strap, folding clasp in stainless steel
Crystal: Sapphire, AR-coated