2,126 Discussions and CommentsMember since March 22, 2001
This wonderful picture is by Hanno Burtscher. Many of you know this gentleman worked for many years at IWC. " alt="image" />
Here is what Michael wrote about him in 2002: Some of you may have heard of Hanno Burtscher as the person who designed the Da Vinci perpetual calendar-chronograph ca. 1985, which of course uses IWC's famous perpetual calendar module designed by watchmaker Kurt Klaus. For many years now, Mr. Burtscher has "retired" from IWC and has been the keeper of the Munot --the fortress from the Middle Ages overlooking Schaffhausen. As he said "there are many watch designers but only one Munot".
During the Collectors Meeting we visited the Munot. Mr. Burtscher talked about the design of the Giant Portofino, the Ref. 5251, which reportedly was the design precursor of the classic Portofino line.
He told about he and Kurt Klaus in the early 1980s were out at a club in Schaffhausen. Instead of dancing, they got caught up in a discussion about how the Ref. 5250 pocket watch with moonphase wasn't selling well. It had a great movement --the ultrathin Cal. 95 with a moonphase added-- but the market for pocket watches (let alone mechanical watches) was dead at the time.
So they got to talking about how to convert the pocket watch to a wristwatch, to utilize the movement and hopefully sell it. Hanno Burtscher (together with Kurt Klaus) then drew the concept of the watch on cocktail napkins. They were at it way past midnight.
The rest is history. While the model was not a large seller, it spawned a whole line of regular-sized classic watches. In my opinion, it might be Burtscher's real design triumph. I would argue that it might be more difficult to design something simple and classic.
Regards, Michael
I was lucky enough to get this great piece of art depicting the great Jubilee, and it hangs in my office. Note the wax seal in the bottom right, along with Herr Burtscher's signature. I feel lucky to own such a great piece of art, about one of the great IWC pieces of art, the Jubilee. " alt="image" />
3,741 Discussions and CommentsMember since March 22, 2001
Nelson - That is an incredible piece of IWC history you have there- and a great work of art. It's so amazing to think about how these watches were designed, without computers at that time. What an incredible, and appealing artifact. It's a treasure you have there.
My piece is a recent homage to one of my favorite IWCs, the DaVinci Perpetual Edition Kurt Klaus - which he autographed the large DaVinci brochure in 2008. I had it custom framed for my office.
2,126 Discussions and CommentsMember since March 22, 2001
I did not take this picture, but I was there when it was taken. Hanno is on the left, and Mr. Klaus with his beloved whippets on the right, in Hanno's 'front yard', the court yard of the Munot." alt="image" />
Here is what Michael wrote about him in 2002:
Some of you may have heard of Hanno Burtscher as the person who designed the Da Vinci perpetual calendar-chronograph ca. 1985, which of course uses IWC's famous perpetual calendar module designed by watchmaker Kurt Klaus. For many years now, Mr. Burtscher has "retired" from IWC and has been the keeper of the Munot --the fortress from the Middle Ages overlooking Schaffhausen. As he said "there are many watch designers but only one Munot".
During the Collectors Meeting we visited the Munot. Mr. Burtscher talked about the design of the Giant Portofino, the Ref. 5251, which reportedly was the design precursor of the classic Portofino line.
He told about he and Kurt Klaus in the early 1980s were out at a club in Schaffhausen. Instead of dancing, they got caught up in a discussion about how the Ref. 5250 pocket watch with moonphase wasn't selling well. It had a great movement --the ultrathin Cal. 95 with a moonphase added-- but the market for pocket watches (let alone mechanical watches) was dead at the time.
So they got to talking about how to convert the pocket watch to a wristwatch, to utilize the movement and hopefully sell it. Hanno Burtscher (together with Kurt Klaus) then drew the concept of the watch on cocktail napkins. They were at it way past midnight.
The rest is history. While the model was not a large seller, it spawned a whole line of regular-sized classic watches. In my opinion, it might be Burtscher's real design triumph. I would argue that it might be more difficult to design something simple and classic.
Regards,
Michael
I was lucky enough to get this great piece of art depicting the great Jubilee, and it hangs in my office. Note the wax seal in the bottom right, along with Herr Burtscher's signature. I feel lucky to own such a great piece of art, about one of the great IWC pieces of art, the Jubilee.
Nelson
Cheers,
sc
scfong722@gmail.com
My piece is a recent homage to one of my favorite IWCs, the DaVinci Perpetual Edition Kurt Klaus - which he autographed the large DaVinci brochure in 2008. I had it custom framed for my office.
Regards,
Ardoise
Last edited: 1 January, 2012 - 17:55
Glad to see a great piece of IWC memorabilia has fallen into the proper hands. Thanks for posting it.
Last edited: 8 November, 2012 - 12:49
Nelson -
Great piece for the office - You sure are an IWC "insider" to get all these neat IWC items!
I was just thinking about that great post of yours where you got to ride the IWC JU-52 too.
- Tracy
Last edited: 5 October, 2011 - 07:07
Wonderful story. Some of your pics did not show up. Do you have a picture of Hanno?
Larry
The greatest IWC is the one that is inbound."
Last edited: 23 July, 2011 - 19:23
Between your piece and the item Larry posted, I feel very jealous. They are certainly in the proper hands!
I am sure you enjoy having that in your office. I hope you will share pictures of it with us from time to time.
Dick L.
whichwatch at roadrunner dot com