IWC Da Vinci Automatic 36 background

Review: IWC Da Vinci Automatic 36

IWC Da Vinci Automatic 36 Steel Blue
Movement
35111 Calibre (35800 Calibre for Moon Phase model)
Case
Steel or 18K 5N Gold
Strap
Alligator leather - Grey, Green, Brown, Black, Pink, Bronze and Blue
Dial
Silver plated or blue
Lens
Convex sapphire crystal glass with double-sided AR coating
Water Resistance
< 30 metres
Lume
N/A
Dimensions
36mm
Crown
Set dome-shaped crown
Warranty
2 years (extendable to 8 years)
Price
£4,500 - £34,000

The first Da Vinci watch by IWC was a landmark piece in terms of the movement technology it had. It was built with the first-ever Swiss-made quartz movement, which was developed by several renowned Swiss manufacturers. This revolutionary watch, built-in 1969, measured ten times more accurately than other tested chronometer movements.

Since then, IWC has been working on perfecting their design and mechanisms, and their Da Vinci line represents their most technologically advanced, most attractive line of watches to date. This collection of watches is one of IWC’s largest and features some of their most beautiful and extravagant designs.

The Da Vinci Automatic 36 models make up half of this collection. Each variation on this model features different aesthetics and design qualities and varies in price as well. Let’s discuss some of the Da Vinci Automatic 36 models in more detail.

Dial

The Automatic 36 models feature dials that are plated with silver, which gives them a brilliance that outshines dials that are plated with stainless steel. They also each have a date dial in the space where the 6 o’clock marker would be, save for the Moon Phase variants. Aesthetically, there are several variations across the different models. The most basic Da Vinci Automatic 36 model, the IW458307, features gold hour and minute hands, gold numerals, and a blue second hand.

IWC Da Vinci Automatic 36 Steel
IWC Da Vinci Automatic 36 Steel

Each of the variations exudes a distinctly feminine appeal. The dial of the IW448312 is a deep navy blue, with silver numerals and hour, minute, and second hands. The date dial at the bottom is also a striking blue color. Similarly, the IW459306 Moon Phase features a white dial with blue numerals, blue hour, minute, and second hands and a unique blue and silver moon phase dial.

The IW458310 is perhaps the most extravagant model from the Da Vinci Automatic 36 line. Like the rest of the models, its dial is plated with silver. However, the luxury lies in the gold numerals and hour, minute, and second hands, as well as the gold IWC logo beneath the 12 o’clock marker.

Case

As with most luxury watch collections, each of the IWC Da Vinci Automatic 36 cases is made from hand-polished stainless steel. The only deviations from this standard come in the form of the IW458310, the IW458309, and the IW459308, which have cases that are made from 18-carat 5N gold. Each case measures 36mm in diameter and is 9.9mm thick, making them feel like air on the wrist. They are also water-resistant up to 3 ATM, which is rare for a premium line of watches.

IWC Da Vinci Automatic 36 Moon Phase Brown
IWC Da Vinci Automatic 36 Moon Phase (Brown leather)

The bevels on the cases of the IW458308, IW458310, and IW459307 are embedded with diamonds, which, in combination with the silver-plated dials, provides a splendor that is hard to replicate. If you’re after something more subtle, the IW458307 and IW458312 have plain stainless steel casings and offer a much more understated look.

The glass that surrounds these casings are made from sapphire. They are convex and are coated with an anti-reflective on both sides, to ensure crystal clear visibility, even in direct sunlight. Since there are no protrusions on the back of the casings, you won’t feel any irritation or discomfort when wearing one of these watches. The thin design also ensures that they won’t snag on any clothing.

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Wearability

One would think that stainless steel bracelets would be uncomfortable to wear, but the segments on the Da Vinci Automatic 36 watch collection are linked so closely that they feel more like one consistent piece of metal rather than separate segments. They do not pinch when tightened, which is a major problem that people encounter when buying watches with stainless steel bracelets.

IWC Da Vinci Automatic 36 Pink strap
IWC Da Vinci Automatic 36 (Pink leather strap)

Each Da Vinci Automatic 36 watch has 42 hours of reserve power, making them one of the longest-lasting luxury watches on the market. The caliber of these watches vary, but they all range between around 3500 and 3800. Each watch also has a varying number of components, but the majority consist of around 163 individual components.

The Da Vinci Automatic 36 collection also features some of the IWC lightest watches. They are hardly noticeable when on the wrist, and offer an unobtrusive solution to luxury time-telling. For folks who aren’t huge fans of stainless steel bracelets, IWC offers some models with straps that are made from alligator leather, such as the fabulous pink kind found on the IW458308, or the stunning navy blue strap on the IW458312.

IWC Da Vinci Automatic 36 Steel
IWC Da Vinci Automatic 36 Steel

Price

By now, it’s probably obvious that the Da Vinci Automatic 36 collection is going to boast some premium price tags. This is to be expected from a luxury watch brand, though this collection does have a great variety of price points to suit pretty much any taste and budget.

By far, the most expensive watch in this collection is the IW452310, which comes in at £30,400 (or $37,900). While this may seem extreme, you should keep in mind that this is the watch that is plated with gold and features a bezel that is embedded with diamonds. The hour and minute hands are also made from gold, which makes the majority of this watch solid gold.

IWC Da Vinci Automatic 36 Gold and diamonds
IWC Da Vinci Automatic 36 Gold (Diamond set bezel)

The least expensive Da Vinci Automatic 36 is the stunning navy blue IW458312, which will set you back a modest £4,330 (or $5,400). This watch offers some of the best value for money out there, and its eye-catching design alone is enough to justify its price. If you’d prefer something more in the mid-range, the IW458309 is a great choice and provides a more subtle aesthetic that suits any look.

IWC Da Vinci Automatic 36 background
Review: IWC Da Vinci Automatic 36
Final Thoughts
IWC’s Da Vinci Automatic 36 line is not over-complicated, yet delivers a brilliant classiness. For a modest, understated, and elegant aesthetic, look no further than the Da Vinci collection. It is the perfect choice for any woman looking to wear something stylish and beautiful on her wrist.
Dial
Case
Wearability
Price
Positives
Simple yet elegantly luxurious
Great readability
Comfortable
Negatives
Lack of dial options
Might be better options for price point
4.3
Editor's Score
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