Schaffhausen, 6 November 2024 – IWC Schaffhausen proudly celebrates the 90th birthday of Kurt Klaus, a watchmaking legend who redefined mechanical horology and whose visionary work laid the foundation for some of IWC’s most acclaimed timepieces. Klaus, renowned for creating the iconic perpetual calendar in the 1980s, contributed a remarkable legacy of innovation during his four-decade tenure with IWC and even beyond his retirement.
A Journey That Shaped Swiss Watchmaking
Born in St. Gallen, Switzerland, in 1934, Klaus embarked on his career at IWC Schaffhausen in 1957 as a young watchmaker in the Service department. Over the years, he rose to prominence within the company, crafting new movement architectures and leaving a profound impact on watchmaking technology. The 1970s marked a turning point for Klaus as he worked through an era of change and challenge. Despite the growing dominance of quartz technology, Klaus held an unshakable belief in the artistry of mechanical timepieces and set out to prove their enduring relevance.
Innovating the Perpetual Calendar
In the face of industry-wide uncertainty, Klaus was assigned to create complications for pocket watches. His ingenuity soon shifted towards wristwatches, and by 1985, his perpetual calendar for the Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Chronograph (Ref. 3750) made history. This masterpiece, showcased at the Basel watch fair, consisted of only 81 components that seamlessly managed the complexities of the calendar, including automatic leap-year recognition. For the first time, all settings could be adjusted simply by turning the crown—a revolutionary feature in horology. Designed to function flawlessly until 2100, Klaus’s perpetual calendar became a benchmark of simplicity, precision, and reliability.
A Legacy of Pioneering Innovations
Klaus’s influence extended well beyond the perpetual calendar. He was instrumental in the development of IWC’s split-seconds mechanism, in-house movements, and even a mechanical depth gauge for divers’ watches. His contributions also led to the development of the Il Destriero Scafusia in 1993, then the world’s most complicated wristwatch. Klaus’s hands-on role in crafting some of the most intricate complications has left an indelible mark on IWC’s history.
In 2003, Klaus oversaw the integration of his perpetual calendar into the Portugieser Perpetual Calendar (Ref. IW5021), setting a new standard with a moon phase that boasts an impressive accuracy of 577.5 years. His work continued into the 2000s, leading to the Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month (Ref. IW3761) in 2009, which introduced digital displays for the date and month, further showcasing his ability to combine tradition with innovation.
A Living Legend and Cult Figure
Even after his retirement in 1999, Klaus remained deeply connected to IWC and the broader watchmaking community. Known for his passion and generosity, he continued to mentor young watchmakers and appeared at major horological events, sharing his knowledge and captivating audiences worldwide. Klaus’s profound influence resonates not only through his groundbreaking designs but also through the countless watch enthusiasts and professionals he has inspired.
Honoring a Timeless Visionary
Kurt Klaus’s contributions have propelled IWC to the forefront of watchmaking, exemplifying the heights of Swiss craftsmanship and innovation. As he celebrates his 90th year, IWC Schaffhausen and the global watch community honor a true visionary whose legacy endures in every timepiece that bears his signature touch.
For those who admire the timeless art of mechanical watchmaking, Kurt Klaus remains an emblem of dedication, innovation, and passion—a legend whose influence on horology will be celebrated for generations to come.
