IWC 89800

Cal. 89800 is a high-end manufacture flyback automatic chronograph with digital perpetual calendar produced by IWC since 2009.

Details

IWC had long used a family of automatic chronograph movements based on the Valjoux 7750. These were not only used in basic chronograph watches but complicated pieces, including grande complication and tourbillon watches. Two important complications on that base were the perpetual calendar and rattrapante modules that helped re-establish IWC as a maker of advanced watch movements. IWC had never had a flyback chronograph, however, and many buyers looked down at the pedestrian base on which these complications were developed. In 2007, IWC introduced a new Da Vinci Chronograph, Ref. 3764 with an all-new in-house movement developed by Kurt Klaus. The new Cal. 89360 was an advanced design with a flyback chronograph, efficient Pellaton winding, and power reserve of 68 hours, even while operating at 28,800 A/h.

In 2009, IWC paired this new movement with a digital perpetual calendar complication, resulting in this Cal. 89800. This was updated in 2013, becoming Cal. 89801 and Cal. 89802 for different applications, the latter for semi-transparent subdials. These remain in production as of 2019.