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IWC Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Chronograph

“The thing that makes the Da Vinci collection of timepieces so special, is that it combines science and technology,” says IWC Schaffhausen’s Walter Volpers, who serves as associate director of product management. “Leonardo (da Vinci) was always looking for that link in his body of work.” On the 43mm Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Chronograph (available in 18-carat red gold or stainless steel), IWC makes a similar statement with the first timepiece from its stable to combine the chronograph and perpetual calendar complication.

This year’s Da Vinci project was a seven-year effort.

The final piece, however, is testimony to this labour, with a moon disc of white gold particles underlining humanity’s celestial link with a more prosaic form of timekeeping.

Functionality comes with movable lugs and a newly designed 89630 calibre, which was redesigned to combine the dual chronograph counters with the moon phase, featuring an automatic double-pawl winding system with 68 hours of power reserve. iwc.com ≠

The 1995 Mclaren F1 – offered by its original owner, with an extensive list of factory accompaniments – was the most sought-after lot at Bonhams’ Quail Lodge auction. The Mclaren F1 chassis number 044 is one of just 64 of its kind, and was the first to be imported to the US. It was the first of seven Mclarens to be fully federalised by Ameritech, making it an entirely US roadlegal car. www. bonhams.com