IWC 18680

The 18680 is a tourbillon grande complication movement produced by IWC based on the Valjoux 7750 ebauche from 1993 through 2001.

The Valjoux 7750 movement was extremely important to the resurgence of IWC and the basic design remains in use today. The company has used it for many important innovations since the 1980's, including a perpetual calendar, rattrapante, and grande complication. The 7750 ebauche was used for the 790 family of movements and the basic architecture is the basis for today's 69000 family of movements.

In 1985, IWC surprised the world with the introduction of an innovative perpetual calendar movement, Cal. 7906. Designed by the legendary Kurt Klaus, this movement was much simpler to operate than previous perpetual calendars and was reliable and relatively affordable as well. The next major advancement for IWC was Cal. 79091, a grande complication movement combining Klaus' perpetual calendar with a minute repeater, introduced at the Basel Fair in 1990. In 1991, IWC released an innovative rattrapante chronograph, Cal. 79030, designed by Richard Habring.

In 1992, IWC combined all of this with a tourbillon escapement, launching “Il Destriero Scafusia”. The watch was Ref. 1868 and the movement, Cal. 18680. It remains a signal achievement in watchmaking. “The Warhorse from Schaffhausen” has the following features

• Hand winding tourbillon operating at 28,800 A/h
• Perpetual calendar with moon phase indicator
• Rattrapante chronograph
• Minute repeater

The only watch produced with Cal. 1868 was the “Destriero”. Although only 125 examples were produced, they were listed for sale from 1993 through 2001.

• IWC Il Destriero Scafusia 1868 (1993-2001)