Celebrating 90 Years of Innovation and Ingenuity
IWC Schaffhausen pays homage to the legendary Kurt Klaus on his 90th birthday. Renowned for his groundbreaking perpetual calendar, Klaus’s contributions to horology extend far beyond this iconic creation. Over four decades at IWC, he spearheaded numerous innovations, leaving an enduring mark on the Swiss watchmaking industry.
Born in 1934 in St. Gallen, Switzerland, Klaus embarked on his horological journey in 1957, joining IWC Schaffhausen’s Service department. From 1970 to 1999, he delved into the development, construction, and prototyping of groundbreaking movements. It was during this period that he conceived and executed his masterpiece: the perpetual calendar.
In the 1970s, as the quartz crisis threatened the Swiss watch industry, Klaus was tasked with developing complications for pocket watches. Inspired by the success of his annual calendar, he envisioned a perpetual calendar for a wristwatch, a feat deemed impossible by many. In 1985, the world witnessed the realization of his dream with the Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Chronograph. This revolutionary timepiece, with its 81-part calendar mechanism, could be easily adjusted via the crown, a groundbreaking achievement. It accurately tracked the lunar cycle and automatically accounted for leap years, requiring no manual intervention until 2100.
Klaus’s legacy extends beyond the perpetual calendar. He played a pivotal role in developing several in-house movements, including the split-seconds mechanism, world time module, and mechanical depth gauge. His contributions to the Il Destriero Scafusia, the world’s most complicated wristwatch at the time, further solidified his reputation as a master watchmaker.
Even after retiring in 1999, Klaus continued to share his knowledge and passion for horology. He traveled the world, giving lectures and captivating audiences with his insights. His humorous and down-to-earth personality, combined with his profound technical expertise, has earned him cult status among watch enthusiasts.
In 2022, Klaus made a memorable appearance in an IWC campaign, humorously highlighting the limitations of smartwatches compared to the enduring elegance of mechanical timepieces. His wit and wisdom continue to inspire and entertain, ensuring his legacy lives on.
As we celebrate Kurt Klaus’s 90th birthday, we honor a true visionary whose innovative spirit has shaped the world of watchmaking. His perpetual calendar remains a testament to his genius, a timeless masterpiece that continues to fascinate and amaze.