HANDS-ON: Not your typical sports chrono – the IWC Da Vinci Chronograph Edition “Laureus Sport for Good Foundation”

Felix Scholz

When IWC made the revamped Da Vinci collection their main focus at SIHH 2017, it’s fair to say that there was a little bit of confusion – if not downright consternation – among the watch-loving faithful. Coming off two straight years of strong, masculine product – the Portugieser and the Pilot’s – the dressy Da Vinci was a definite change of pace with it’s feminine demeanour and fancy articulated lugs.

If you’re on the fence about the Da Vinci collection as a whole, have a look at this limited-edition Chronograph Edition “Laureus Sport For Good Foundation”. Even though the words ‘chronograph’ and ‘sport’ are in the (rather wordy) model name, this is far from your typical sports chrono. In fact, it’s pretty much the opposite. Refined, elegant and devastatingly handsome, the 42mm-wide by 14.5mm-thick steel case is all polished curves, notably on the lugs and the flyback chronograph’s rounded pushers. The dial is a real beauty: a rich starburst blue that’s a trademark of IWC’s Laureus editions, with applied silver Arabic numerals, matching hands and the odd red detail.

The chronograph features stacked hours and minutes totalisers at 12, and running seconds at six, a pleasingly symmetrical design somewhat marred by the square date window intersecting the seconds track. The Calibre 89361 movement is hidden behind a solid caseback, engraved with a drawing by 12-year-old Hou Ye from Shangahi, who won a competition run by the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation. A black Santoni strap adds the final touch of class.

For me, this chronograph is the strongest male design from the Da Vinci collection – beautiful without being delicate, functional without sacrificing style.

IWC Da Vinci Chronograph Edition “Laureus Sport for Good Foundation” Australian pricing and availability

IWC Da Vinci Chronograph Edition “Laureus Sport for Good Foundation”, limited to 1500 pieces, $17,800