IWC

Ingenieur Watches

IWC Schaffhausen (International Watch Company) is the renowned Swiss watch manufacturer that every watch lover would crave for its watches. Since the massive success of the IWC Pilot series, its watches have been highly admired and trusted in different professional categories. 

Inspired by the passion for engineering, the IWC Ingenieur was introduced in 1955. This classic watch is highly precise and extremely robust that features shock protection, anti-magnetic capabilities and water resistance. 

For more than 60 years since its launch, the IWC Ingenieur watch has gone through numerous modifications and updates. It is not only aimed at specific audiences like technicians and scientists, but also at the watch lovers who desire a watch with the best quality. 

The reason for the birth of the IWC Ingenieur watch collection can be traced back to the period after 1945. The rapid growth in engineering technology that occurred during World War II had cultivated the blast of industrial movement throughout Europe. 

Mechanical engineering had been producing new innovations every day at the time. It also attracted a growing class of skilled professionals. They were an important factor for driving the growth of the society as the persons who design and construct. 

Such an environment also created a need for a highly precise watch that could fulfill the engineers’ needs. On top of precision and accuracy, the scientists and engineers also needed the watch to be robust, water-resistant and able to endure any circumstances that might occur in the laboratory or on the field while being indulged in specific work. 

Launch of the First IWC Ingenieur

In 1955, IWC introduced the IWC Ingenieur watch to address this requirement. The name “Ingenieur” means “engineer” and “a person who makes and works with machinery” in French. You can see it from the name, IWC aimed to create IWC Ingenieur to be the trusted companion for mechanical professionals such as engineers, technicians and scientists. This is a robust watch that is able to tell perfect time under tough conditions even with strong magnetic fields. 

The collection came to the market with the reference 666A and reference 666AD. Both of these were designed and created under the direction and supervision of Albert Pellaton who had become the technical director for IWC since the year 1944. The look of these two models were almost the same. 

One main difference between them is that these 2 versions used different movements: 666A featured calibre 8521 and 666AD housed calibre 852. The 666AD had a mere add-up of a date window at 3 o’clock position. These IWC Ingenieur watches were equipped with automatic movements that featured a pawl-winding system developed by Albert Pellaton. Together with the dial and the caseback it was covered by a protection against magnetic fields of up to 80,000 A/M. The International Watch Company Ingenieur is a reliable engineer watch. 

The first IWC Ingenieur is a classic and discreet watch that was completely protected against magnetic fields. It was a groundbreaking piece of technology that was commonly mentioned together with Rolex Milgauss.

The Ingenieur watch had been different from other IWC watches in terms of technical specifications in order to serve a group of differentiated target customers. It was also well used by the military because of its outstanding capability. 

In 1976, the legendary watch designer Gerald Genta redesigned the collection with a newer face. At that time, Gérald Genta was already renowned and well-received for his cushion case design of Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. For the revamp of IWC Ingenieur, Genta designed 3 “SL” / “Steel Line” versions. The refreshed IWC Ingenieur collection was introduced to the public again and gained high appreciation from the mass. 

Genta's new design was widely known as the Ingenieur SL. The model Ingenieur SL 1832 featured a case with a tonneau shape and an integrated bracelet. The dial was surrounded by a screwed-in bezel with five "bores" as a signature styling element, the same case as Genta designed the 8 through-screws for the Royal Oak watch. The 40 mm case of this watch was considerably large at the time, making this model called the "Ingenieur Jumbo". This watch was considered as one of the most important models that represent the evolution of Ingenieur. 

The IWC Ingenieur watch well represents IWC’s innovation and craftsmanship. Between the 1980s and 1990s, IWC presented a few impressive editions of the Ingenieur. In 1983, a new Ingenieur was introduced with a smaller case of 34mm. This historical version is now highly collectible in the market. 

Following this subtle version, reference 3508 was released. The main update of this IWC Ingenieur was the special 500,000 amperes per meter amagnetic shielding. It came with enormous protection but without any soft iron cage. Special and innovative materials such as the iron-free Niobium-Zirconium 25 were used on the escapement, the balance wheel and the spiral. 

IWC has always been revisiting and revamping the Ingenieur collection to meet the latest trends and technological advancements. The first IWC Ingenieur x Mercedes-Benz watch was the reference 3227 model released in 2005. It was a special titanium watch with a 42 mm case and housed the famous IWC in-house Calibre 80110 movement. 

In 2013, IWC launched a handful of updated IWC Ingenieur models to the world. IWC again redesigned the entire Ingenieur watch with the renewed partnership with Mercedes-AMG. The designs are all turned back to simple and basic. It was available with the basic stainless steel IWC watch model and more premium versions such as carbon and ceramic versions.

With the aim of serving innovative and up-to-date watches, IWC has brought to the customers many experimental Ingenieur watches with the latest trends and technological advancements. This collection is truly an engineer watch as a must have for all the mechanical professionals like engineers, technicians and scientists.

Despite being a tool watch for engineers, the IWC Ingenieur is also available as a practical chronograph and a reliable sports watch. Its customer base has grown to the public like motor racing enthusiasts, world explorers, and technologists for over 60 years. The IWC Ingenieur appeals to everyone who desires a timepiece with technical innovation and timeless style.