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IWC Il Destriero Scafusia Ref. IW1868
After the Breguet Marine Royale Alarm yesterday and the Hautlence Vortex Bronze this morning, here's another "beast" not often highlighted.
Presented in 1993 to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the manufacture in Schaffhausen, the IWC Il Destriero Scafusia ('The Warhorse of Schaffhausen'), ref. IW1868 comprises:
- a perpetual calendar (in German in the particular example below, ref. IW1868-01)
- a flying tourbillon
- a minute repeater
- a split-second chronograph
- perpetual calendar: Kurt Klaus, best known for “Operation Eternity” and inventing the genius crown-operated perpetual calendar
- tourbillon and split second chronograph: Richard Habring, founder of Habring2
- minute repeater: Robert Greubel (cofounder of Greubel Forsey), Giulio Papi and Dominique Renaud (cofounders of Renaud & Papi)
- design: Hanno Burtscher, designer of the Da Vinci
- production: Lothar Schmidt, who later would take over Sinn
Exact case dimensions are unclear online: diameter is 42-43 mm and thickness is 17-18 mm. Calibre 1868 is based on the Valjoux 7750.
This particular example is in yellow gold and was sold as lot 322 at Dorotheum in 2023.
Best, Emmanuel
Below: the Il Destriero side-by-side to the Da Vinci Tourbillon, ref. IW3752-03 (English calendar)
credit: the eclecticum & Dorotheum
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IWC Il Destriero Scafusia Ref. IW1868
After the Breguet Marine Royale Alarm yesterday and the Hautlence Vortex Bronze this morning, here's another " beast " not often highlighted. Presented in 1993 to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the manufacture in Schaffhausen, the IWC Il Destriero S...
That’s an impressive watch, made by an all star cast. Fabulous!
Thanks for the post, Emmanuel. All the best, Jon
One must say, one of the all time greats!
Despite all the fantastic technical watches today, I think that this one is one of my favorites. I still remember having received the catalog with this watch in it. Surreal at that time and somehow still today! Thx for sharing, Dirk
Thanks for looking, Dirk!
I'm glad you like it too. It's such a good looking and well conceived watch. Have a very nice weekend. Best, Emmanuel
I always liked this reference.
I even like the color gold version with the silver dial due to its great legibility, but the platinum is top! This is the definition of “Grand Complication” in my books. Amazing what they were able to create from a 7750…
Now you are pushing it;)))
True, but in a world where a perpetual calendar chronograph(Patek), is called GC we can “settle” for this, let alone the time when it was released, few if any, played in this game.
The bezel and general shape of the case
remind me of Patek ref. 5001T (Sky Moon Tourbillon, which I've shown here) and I like it personally. And, yes, the box is lovely! Best, Emmanuel ...
That really is a stunning looking IWC watch.
I actually think the movement is more beautiful than the dial and whilst it is large beast the number of complications and that stunning movement make it possible to forgive the watch for its size. Not being a huge fan of coloured gold watches obviously m...
Of course I understand your preference
for platinum and for the back. I personally like the YG variant and the watch face which reminds me of Patek's ref. 5001T (Sky Moon Tourbillon). Best, Emmanuel ...
