Inspired Redesign: IWC Schaffhausen Presents New Versions of One of its Watchmaking Icons: The Ingenieur Automatic 40
by The Time Place Magazine
One of the watchmaking world’s most revered watch designers, Gérald Genta made waves with every timepiece he saw to fruition. One such creation was IWC Schaffhausen’s Ingenieur, which the talented designer reinterpreted in the 1970s, with the Ingenieur SL. A master of sound design and bold appeal, he permanently infused the Ingenieur with a spirit of strength and versatility.
Deriving inspiration from the original model that dates back to 1955, Genta gave the Ingenieur a new and highly distinctive visual identity, as evident in the screw-on bezel with five recesses, uniquely patterned dial, and an integrated H-link bracelet. Launched in 1976, the Ingenieur SL was definitely ahead of its time, as it was powered by the first automatic movement developed in Schaffhausen, which came complete with a soft-iron inner case for magnetic field protection.
This year, IWC Schaffhausen went back to the drawing board once again to give the Ingenieur an updated appearance, one that’s in keeping with the demands and design codes of the present day. “With the new Ingenieur Automatic 40, the steel sports watch with an integrated bracelet returns to our
portfolio. While taking inspiration from Gérald Genta’s Ingenieur SL from the 1970s, we invested a lot of time and effort into engineering a new automatic model with perfect case proportions and ergonomics, a high level of detail and finishing, and equipped with modern movement technology. The new Ingenieur Automatic 40 is a versatile luxury sports watch for the 21st century,” conveyed Chris Grainger-Herr, CEO of IWC Schaffhausen.
Reworking the overall dimensions of the Ingenieur case, IWC presents improvements down to the smallest detail. Now with a lug to lug distance of 45.7 millimetres, the watch is guaranteed to have perfect ergonomics and excellent wearability. Furthermore, the brand took the Ingenieur SL’s nose-shaped horns and replaced them with a newly engineered middle-link attachment. This new feature enhances the ergonomics and provides an even better fit on the wrist.
On the face of the watch, IWC introduces the presence of functional, polygonal screws on the bezel. No, these are not just design details—as was featured on the Ingenieur SL—as these five screws now have the technical functional of securing the bezel to the case. In addition, the dial highlights an interesting “Grid” structure that provides balance to the technical and very sculptural case design. To provide the watch with ideal legibility and extra depth, the appliques on the dial are covered with luminescence.
The Ingenieur Automatic 40 is powered by the IWC-manufactured 32111 calibre with an automatic pawl winding system and a power reserve of 120 hours. In keeping with the tradition of the Ingenieur, a soft-iron inner case efficiently protects the movement from magnetic fields and guarantees the watch’s accuracy at every turn. Water-resistant to 10 bar, the Ingenieur Automatic 40 is a modern and fully versatile sports watch that can accompany you from day to night.
Rendered in stainless steel, the new timepiece is available in three distinct versions: with a black dial and an integrated stainless steel bracelet with butterfly folding clasp (Ref. IW328901), with a silver-plated dial and an integrated stainless steel bracelet with butterfly folding clasp (Ref. IW328902), and lastly, with an aqua dial and an integrated stainless steel bracelet with polished centre links and butterfly folding clasp (Ref. IW328903). A fourth version—(Ref. IW328904)—is available in lightweight titanium, a material that IWC pioneered in the 1980s.
Read the latest issue of The Time Place Magazine
for free now!
