Overview
During the late 70s and early 80s, in the midst of the Quartz Crisis, IWC watchmaker Kurt Klaus set out on an ambitious mission to create a user-friendly and accessible perpetual calendar wristwatch. Together with Hano Burtscher, Klaus worked on a design that eliminated the need for pushers and leveraged the Valjoux 7750 chronograph movement fitted with a perpetual calendar module. The result would be the IWC Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Chronograph reference 3750, released at Baselworld in 1985 to much admiration and fanfare.
Klaus’ achievement put IWC on the map as an innovator in mechanical watchmaking, and paved the way for additional advancements by the manufacturer over the next two decades. Among these were notable timepieces such as the Grande Complication, Portugieser Jubilee, Mark XII, and Doppelchronograph. In 1994, IWC’s watchmakers again revisited the perpetual calendar, this time taking the ingenuity of the Da Vinci and delivering a hand-wound version with the Romana reference 2050.
The Romana came in either yellow gold or platinum, and was yet another feat for IWC, this time being the slimmest perpetual calendar wristwatch ever made. The caliber 18651 inside was a mere 3.15 thick, and while certain concessions had to be made to support it, the watch still maintained a user-friendly experience via a single button pusher to advance all aspects of the calendar in unison. Even today, ultra thin perpetual calendars are rarely seen, and this one is quite special given its yellow gold case, hand-wound movement, and relatively affordable price point.
Specifications
Brand:
IWC
Model:
Romana Perpetual Calendar
Reference:
IW2050-003
Year:
1990s
Case Number:
2578912
Case Material:
Yellow gold
Diameter:
36 mm
Lug Width:
18 mm
Thickness:
6.2 mm
Lug-to-Lug:
41.9 mm
Dial:
Silver
Lume:
None
Crystal:
Sapphire
Movement:
Hand-wound
Caliber:
IWC 18651
Bracelet/Strap:
Molequin grey saffiano strap with gold-plated tang buckle
Max Wrist Size:
Hand model has a wrist size of 6.2 in
Condition
Case: The yellow gold case shows light wear in the form of a few hairlines and a couple faint scuffs. The overall impression is very clean. The lugs remain thick and well-defined. The caseback is in fantastic condition with excellent definition between bushed and polished surfaces. The backs of the lugs show faint signs of prior strap removal. The serial number and hallmark engravings are wonderfully preserved and remain crisp and detailed.
Dial, Hands, & Crystal: The silver dial and blued hands are in pristine condition with no notable imperfections. The front sapphire crystal is squeaky clean and scratch-free.
Bracelet/Strap: The Molequin saffiano strap shows light usage with plenty of life left to give. The additional brown calfskin strap is in similar used condition.
Performance
Functions: All functions including the crown winding, time setting, and quickset push button are working as expected.
Service History: Unknown.
