IWC Chronometer Accuracy Review: +/- 0.00 Sec in 12 Days

MTR · 2021-02-25T09:10:35Z

Discover how MTR's IWC Da Vinci Perpetual Rattrapante achieved an incredible +/-0.00 seconds over 12 days after service. A deep dive into accuracy and collector perspectives.

MTR

WPS member · IWC forum

20 replies1722 views1 photos

MTR's post on the exceptional accuracy of his IWC Da Vinci Perpetual Rattrapante offers a compelling look into the nuanced relationship collectors have with horological precision. While many enthusiasts, including MTR, have evolved past an 'accuracy freak' mindset, the practical performance of a watch remains a foundational aspect of its appeal. MTR's experience with a vintage IWC, achieving an astonishing +/-0.00 seconds over 12 days after a service, underscores that even older mechanical movements can deliver extraordinary reliability when properly cared for.

20 collectors discussing this on the WatchProSite forumJoin the Conversation →

I'm really no longer an accuracy freak. For some time it used to be very important to me that a watch was really 100% accurate. Or at least not too slow. It made me mad when one of my watches failed in this respect. Because then I felt couldn't rely on it.

In the meantime, I've become more relaxed. For me, a mechanical watch is a total work of art. And having permanent an eye to the atomic watch is not appropriate.

But what strikes me again and again is that some watch manufacturers advertise high accuracy, which then is not so great in practice. And of course besides all „gimmicks“ the most essential function of a watch is to show the time as accurately and reliably as possible.

I don't have any big outliers with my watches. Most of them are very good (accurate) in this regard.

But what my Da Vinci Perpetual Rattrapante delivers here leaves me speechless.
I've actually never seen anything like that.

I waked this watch, which had been asleep in the safe of the former owner for 15 years, from her long slumber and brought it to my preferred AD for inspection (movement, seals, lubricants etc.) very quickly after purchase.

After that the watch slowed down a bit, so I had it readjusted again.
I was able to pick her up the same day. That was 12 days ago, and the result is impressive: the watch is more precise than precise, namely with +/-0.00 seconds.

That is the optimum. It couldn't be better!

Thanks for reading and bearing my lengthy hymn of praise... 😌

Best Thomas

Key Points from the Discussion

The author shares his personal journey from being an 'accuracy freak' to appreciating mechanical watches as works of art, though he still cannot tolerate a watch that loses time.
The author details his wearing habits and storage position for the IWC Da Vinci, noting it was worn daily for extended periods and stored dial-up due to its pushers and plexiglass.
A fellow collector expresses admiration for the IWC's performance, highlighting that it's 'not just a pretty face' but also delivers exceptional functionality.
Another contributor admits that even a performance of over 5 seconds per day, while technically good, would still 'make them crazy,' revealing a common collector's obsession with precision.
MTR recounts the regret of selling his first-generation IWC 3750 and the satisfaction of correcting that mistake 16 years later with the acquisition of the second-generation 3754-07.
The author references traditional watch positioning 'tricks' from a Rolex booklet (crown up for slower, dial down for faster) but clarifies he didn't use them to optimize his IWC's performance.

The Discussion

Lankysudanese

Feb 25, 2021

And I read your post with great admiration and enjoyment. It’s nice to see something that is not just a pretty face 😉

Ronald Held

Feb 25, 2021

Was the watch positioned when not worn?

Watchonthewrist

Feb 25, 2021

Had one many years ago, have to say I miss it

MTR

Feb 25, 2021

I understand your accuracy-fanatism very well. But it drove me crazy and partly took away the joy of some good pieces. So I stopped it, and with a certain generosity I am able to enjoy my addiction much more. BUT I still cannot stand a watch that loses time. That’s an absolute no-go. Hahahaha

MTR

Feb 25, 2021

showing in always planning and organizing everything exactly and meticulously (the whole life!) seems to be a „curse of these times“. At least that's how it was and sometimes is still in my personal life (I own an IT company). And having to “function” perfectly in this corset all the time is also carried over into the private sphere. And I have to confess I don't want that anymore.

MTR

Feb 25, 2021

where I have worn the watch daily from ca. 7:00 a.m. to 0:30 a.m. Last weekend I had it in the safe for ca. 20 hours. When I take the watch off my wrist I put it on a flat surface in a dial-up-position. Because of the pushers I don’t want to lay the Da Vinci sideways. And since it has a plexiglass I also don’t position it with the case back facing upwards. Best Thomas

Continue the conversation

This thread is active on the IWC forum with 20 replies. Share your knowledge with fellow collectors.

Join the Discussion →

IWC Chronometer Accuracy Review: +/- 0.00 Sec in 12 Days

Key Points from the Discussion

Continue the conversation

More from this Forum