If you ask me what IWC Ingenieur is, I will tell you what I feel: Impeccable engineering. Special design. Consistency. Longevity. Impact. Legacy. Why? When it comes to technological and engineering innovation, other brands struggle to match this classical collection of IWC. A fact which is not a surprise, because IWC Ingenieur is an invention of a Swiss watch company very known, highly reputable and respected for its technical brilliance.
Since its establishment in 1868, the International Watch Company (IWC) has continually raised the bar in aspects of technological basis, fine detail and craftsmanship. The IWC Ingenieur was first developed in 1954 as a homage to the technical ingenuity of the 1950s. A classical line but its recognition came in the 1970s when the timepiece had a new face, under the creative direction of the genius designer, Gerald Genta. This beautiful timepiece unites sturdy sportiness and technical sophistication together in a particular, fashionable timepiece.
A solid watch of exceptional quality, the IWC Ingenieur is a reliable buddy that will repel the test of time. IWC Ingenieur is highly influenced by the zeal for engineering. Technical yet sporty. Simple materials used in motorsport like titanium and ceramic symbolise the design and sportiness of these watches.
Dial
The first Ingenieur SL. Genta had the elementary dial design with the striking hands and the most progressive winding mechanism of the period to shape and invent a modern timepiece. This original masterpiece shares some attributes with the IWC Ingenieur Automatic. However, the latter came with three dial variations, including two silver-plated versions (one has steel hands and markers, the other with rose gold), and one features a classically inspired black dial.
The glossy dial is crafted skillfully with a design of three concentric rings, adding texture and depth that have been absent in previous versions. The outermost ring features chapter markers; the middle has smooth luminescent hour markers, and the central displays the classic “Ingenieur” script and brand logo.
The IWC Ingenieur Chronograph’s dial is a shade of striking cobalt blue. It showcases three sub-dials with hours, minutes and seconds chronograph functions. The date window is located at 6 o’clock. The design of its dial is beautiful and straightforward to read.
The IWC Ingenieur Chronograph Sport has a jet-black dial with a more exotic display of chronograph hours and minutes on one sub-dial at noon. At 6 o’clock is a clean design detail of the lightning seconds handset, representing the Ingenieur logo. The IWC Ingenieur Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month is a model featuring a perpetual calendar, digital indications for the month and date at 2 and 10 o’clock, respectively. It also has apertures framed by sub-dials. This watch has a silvery-white dial with lime.
Case
When Gerald Genta took the reins of Ingenieur, the watch had a 360 degrees spin and came back with a fresh design. Its case is made of several parts, has a tonneau shape with a circular bezel (with the specific five holes, used to open the watch). The official aim of the 1976 IWC Ingenieur SL to design excellent legibility and a perfect timing capacity, regardless of the external factor, has not changed.
It also exhibited some of the usual Genta’s elements, such as an integrated bracelet and a large case, measuring 40mm. Then Ingenieur collaborated with military forces in 1989 to make a timepiece that could extremely resist magnetic fields. The changes have been super impressive. The Ingenieur Automatic is considered the closest return to the design of the original 1976 Ingenieur SL. Genta masterpiece by Mister Gerald Genta.
The model has a large case and the classic integrated bracelet design of the first Ingenieur. Ingenieur Automatic has a diameter of 40mm and a 10mm thickness. It has a round steel bezel with five screws aligned in a pentagon layout around the dial, a trademark of the Ingenieur line. With smooth, strong steel luminescent hands; the modern touch with moderately accessible design.
The watch’s steel bracelet is integrated just like the original. It has brushed H-shaped links with rectangular centres. The deployment clasp has an IWC inscription and has its release pushers on the sides, an upgrade over other mechanisms on integrated bracelet designs. The Ingenieur Automatic is the only anti-magnetic model in the Ingenieur line.
The IWC Ingenieur Chronograph-69375’s dial is 42mm wide, clad in stainless steel or 18k red gold. Its movement is the IWC Caliber 69375. Another model of this prestigious watch collection is The IWC Ingenieur Chronograph Sport with a titanium-clad, 44mm-wide alternative to triple-register featuring a more complex IWC Caliber 89361. The IWC Ingenieur Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month is a 45mm-wide and 17.5mm-thick piece in 18k red gold, with an impressive IWC Caliber 89800 movement. The sapphire case-back is beautifully decorated and reveals a solid red gold rotor.
The only real shift that differentiates the Ingenieur SL and the IWC Ingenieur Automatic in terms of case design is the additional triangular crown protectors feature on the right side of the case. SL didn’t have protectors. The Ingenieur Chronograph-IW380802 and Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month watches are automatic, and both have screws in their crowns. Also, they are self-winding.
Wearability
Keeping classic design similar to the original, the IWC Ingenieur Automatic comes with a black strap made from alligator leather. The IWC Ingenieur Chronograph’s 20mm stainless steel bracelet provides extreme comfort without compromising on style. It has a clasp with a fine adjustment system; the length of the strap is easily adjustable at the touch of one button.
The sport model of the watch is paired with a black calf-skin leather strap with contrast white stitching and tang buckle clasp. The IWC Ingenieur Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month has a black alligator leather strap measured 22mm in width. Without much ado, with their timeless designs, these are fashionable timepieces that offer precision, comfort and effortless style all in one.
Price
The base automatic model can be purchased at a around £4,000 ($5,000) The IWC Ingenieur Chronograph IW380802 sells for approximately £7,500 ($9,300). The black leather strap watch—IWC Ingenieur Chronograph Sport—produced in a limited edition of 500 pieces has its price set at around £9,000 ($11,200) while the Ingenieur Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month is being put up for sale for around £42,000 ($52,500).
