First look…

The Year of the IWC Ingenieur is almost upon us; it will follow 2012 as the Year of the IWC Pilot’s Watch and 2011 as  the Year of the IWC Portofino.  Let me just say it this way:  there are some seriously cool IWC Ingenieur’s coming your way in 2013.  So how about a sneak peak or three.

Starting now with the most conservative of the 2013 lineup, though arguably the most “pure”, here you see the gorgeous new 40mm IWC Ingenieur Automatic Ref 3239.  An homage to the original Gerald Genta design, the new Ref 3239, presented in three variations, reflects the design elements originally defined by legendary watch designer — for example, the conspicuous bores in the bezel (which originally served to hold the bezel firmly in position).  The bores, along with the case structure and the logo with stylized bolt of lightning, soon became the hallmarks of the Ingenieur family.

We’ll explore all the details, below.  Oh, and I’ll also give you a sneak peak of two more super-exciting Ingenieur’s coming in 2013 — believe me you don’t want to miss it!

IWC Ingenieur Automatic (Ref. IW393202)

40mm steel case, black dial, rhodium-plated hands and hour markers, automatic mechanical IWC 30110 caliber

Of all the watches in the 2013 Ingenieur collection, the Ingenieur Automatic (Ref. IW323902, IW323904, IW323906) in stainless steel is the model that most visibly reflects the features typically associated with this watch family.   The 3-handed watch is timeless in its design, as is its size:  with a case measuring 40mm in diameter and a fairly slim 10mm in height, the Ingenieur Automatic will be well suited to a slimmer wrist.

IWC Ingenieur Automatic (Ref. IW393204)

40mm steel case, rhodium-plated hands and hour markers, automatic mechanical IWC 30110 caliber

Integral to the Ingenieur’s original intended (functional) purpose, the case has a soft-iron inner case for protection against magnetic fields up to 40,000 amperes per meter, more than 8x the Swiss standard.  However, of minor note,  this is half of what the original Ingenieur SL 1832  could withstand.  But at either level, this technical feature (responsible for the watch family’s name), is suitable for engineers or others who are exposed to magnetic fields in the course of their work.

A few more details worth noting:  in addition to the bored bezel already mentioned, notice the slightly chamfered bezel which “steps-up” with the intent of contributing to the watch’s slim look; the raised inner circle on the dial has exactly the same radius as the hour hand; the central seconds hand extends as far as the outer chapter ring.

IWC Ingenieur Automatic (Ref. IW393206)

40mm steel case, rose-gold-plated hands and hour markers, automatic mechanical IWC 30110 caliber

 The watch is fitted with a solid stainless-steel bracelet.  A black rubber strap with a pin buckle is also available.

Now about the caliber…The movement in this new IWC Ingenieur 3239 is a caliber 30110, which is based on an ETA 2892-A2 movement.  A reliable and proven movement, yes, but why not the Caliber 80110 as was used in the Ref 3227?   One informed guess is that the ETA2892-A2 is more flat, and thus enables the 10mm case.  Makes sense to me.

Now….about the rest of the 2013 Ingenieur collection…well, I decided to give them their own showcase — click here to sneak preview the IWC Ingenieur Ceramic and the IWC Ingenieur Racing.