IWC Iguana Limited to just 50 watches, the Aquatimer Perpetual Calendar
month. A special cam raises the spring-loaded lever on the quick-
Digital Date-Month combines state-of-the-art technology with quality
action switch a little bit further each day. At the end of the month,
looks. Hidden away inside the case made of unusual materials
when the spring is under maximum tension, it is time for a decisive
such as rubber-coated titanium and 18-carat
act of strength: the quick-action switch jumps
red gold is a perpetual calendar with a large
instantly to its starting position and, depending
digital display showing the date and month. The
on the month, advances the two month display
integrated quick-action switch, which advances
discs either singly or synchronously. At midnight
the month display, has one thing in common with
on New Year’s Eve, the same system also moves
the Galapagos marine iguana: they are both
the leap year disc. Needless to say, all without
masters of energy efficiency.
any effect on the movement’s accuracy. Storing
Several million years ago, a number of iguanas
energy and being able to access it as needed:
landed by chance on the Galapagos Islands.
the quick-action switch and the marine iguana
Unable to find enough food on the barren
function according to the same principle.
archipelago, they turned to the oceans for
In 2014, the perpetual calendar with its quick-
sustenance. But in the cold water, their body
action switch and large digital display showing
temperature sank rapidly. Over time, the marine
the date and month took its place in IWC
iguanas became masters of energy efficiency:
Schaffhausen’s diver’s watch family. Limited to
they bask in the sun on the baking hot volcanic
just 50 watches and available exclusively in IWC
rock, storing the energy they need for their
boutiques, the Aquatimer Perpetual Calendar
strength-sapping dives; once in the water, they
Digital Date-Month is the flagship of the new
reduce their energy requirements by slowing
Aquatimer collection. The distinctly technical
down their heartbeat. This is nature’s way of
design of the dial is characterized by the extra-
showing us how to use energy intelligently. Energy
large numerals of the perpetual calendar,
plays a central role not only in biology but also
which is mechanically programmed until 2100.
in watchmaking mechanics. The automatic
The date and month discs have perforated
winding system in a mechanical watch supplies
covers. The designers took their inspiration for this
the movement with energy, but owing to the
particular element from the filter systems that are
limited length of the mainspring, only part of it
omnipresent on submarine vehicles. This provides
can be saved. There is enough energy for basic
a view of the complex switching mechanism at
timekeeping
work: a fascinating spectacle, particularly at
and
even
for
energy-sapping calendar.
the end of the month, when all four date discs
But if the perpetual calendar in question has
move simultaneously. The four-year leap year
large digital date and month displays with an
cycle is also shown digitally. At IWC, the digital
additional leap year display, it means five display
display with large numerals has a tradition dating
discs may need to be moved simultaneously. And
back over 100 years: the company’s first pocket
complications
like
the
perpetual
this is where a conventional winding mechanism
watches with a jumping digital display had their
26
is soon stretched to its limits. For this reason, the engineers at IWC
market launch as long ago as 1884. The Pallweber watches, named
Schaffhausen developed the quick-action switch. This selfcontained
after the holder of the patent, were initially very popular. Unlike
mechanical energy storage device builds up the power required
the date, however, the digital time display never really caught on.
to advance the month display discs continuously throughout the
Even today, most individuals prefer an analogue display with hands
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