£8,550.00
The IWC reference 3541, produced in the mid-1990s, represents one of the Schaffhausen manufacture’s most technically distinguished achievements of the post-Quartz era — the integration of a mechanical perpetual calendar within the elegant Portofino case. This model is powered by the legendary calibre 37582, an automatic perpetual calendar movement based on Kurt Klaus’s ingenious system first introduced in the Da Vinci series of 1985. The complication automatically accounts for the varying lengths of months and leap years, requiring no adjustment until the year 2499. All calendar indications — day, date, month, year, and moonphase — are perfectly synchronised and can be set via a single crown, a remarkable simplification that became one of IWC’s defining horological contributions of the 20th century.
The design of the 3541 captures IWC’s refined aesthetic of the 1990s, with its slim, rounded case profile and minimalist dial layout that prioritises legibility and harmony. Typically cased in 18-carat yellow gold, the watch measures approximately 35mm in diameter, exuding understated sophistication while housing one of the most complex mechanisms ever produced for a dress watch of its size. The moonphase display, rendered with astronomical precision, serves as both a decorative and functional feature, a poetic reminder of IWC’s attention to mechanical and visual balance.
This particular example, dating from 1996, is offered as a full set — accompanied by its original IWC box, instruction manuals, and the distinctive presentation vial containing the small adjustment stylus and spare parts supplied by the factory. Such completeness adds historical and collector significance, as many examples have long since been separated from their original accessories. The set not only underscores the watch’s provenance but also evokes IWC’s commitment to craftsmanship and presentation during a period of renewed confidence in mechanical horology.
Today, the IWC Portofino Perpetual Calendar ref. 3541 is regarded as a landmark model in the brand’s history — a bridge between the innovative spirit of the 1980s and the mechanical renaissance of the 1990s. Its enduring accuracy, sophisticated calendar system valid for over four centuries, and elegant design have secured it a place among the most intellectually satisfying and collectible perpetual calendars of its era, embodying both the precision engineering and quiet luxury for which IWC remains celebrated.
Adding further distinction, this watch was originally sold by Asprey and is accompanied by the original Asprey purchase invoice. Adjusted for inflation, the price noted equates to approximately £20,000 in today’s money, underlining the model’s stature when new and its positioning among IWC’s most sophisticated complications.
| Complications | Perpetual Calendar |
|---|---|
| Movement | IWC Cal. 37582 |
| Case Size | 35.5mm |
| Delivery | Complete set. |
| Reference | 3541 |
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1990s Cartier Must de Tank Medium Mechanical
