For Watches and Wonders 2023, IWC Schaffhausen brings us a reimagined Ingenieur with the new Automatic 40.
IWC Ingenieur 40 - IWC
We are told this re-engineered automatic model is designed to reflect the “bold aesthetic codes of Gérald Genta’s Ingenieur SL, Reference 1832, from the 1970s” while being a wholly new and contemporary watch. The 2023 collection comprises three models in stainless steel and one in titanium. All Ingenieur Automatic 40s are powered by IWC’s in house manufactured 32111 calibre which delivers a power reserve of 120 hours and features soft-iron inner cases to protect the movements from magnetic fields. Water resistance is 100m across the range and dial colours called black, aqua and silver are available.
The overall dimensions of the case have been carefully reworked with a lug-to-lug distance of precisely 45.7 millimetres. The Ingenieur 40 features the level of detail we have come to expect from a modern IWC. The case, bezel, and bracelet are elaborately finished using a combination of polished and satin-finished surfaces. The upper parts of the bracelet contain closed links without pins, accentuating the craftsmanship. In addition, newly designed crown protection gives a little more security.
IWC Ingenieur 40 - IWC
The Titanium Ingenieur Automatic 40 is made from grade 5 titanium and features a highly detailed finish with sandblasted, satin, and polished surfaces. The grey dial further accentuates the characteristic matte industrial look brought by titanium.
The 2023 Pilot Chronograph 41 TOP GUN “Oceana” features a case made of blue ceramic. Is it the best looking IWC pilot watch of all time? Possibly.
TOP GUN IWC 41-millimetre Pilot’s Chronograph - IWC
According to the IWC technical gurus, the ceramic colour “Oceana” takes inspiration from the U.S. Navy’s blue overalls. The watch features a blue dial and a matching blue rubber strap with a denim (?) finish textile inlay. The chrono pushers and the case back are made of titanium. The 41 TOP GUN is IWC’s first 41-millimetre Pilot’s Chronograph with a ceramic case. Also available with a black dial, inspired by the technical components of supersonic jets.
TOP GUN IWC 41-millimetre Pilot’s Chronograph - IWC
Both the blue and black the TOP GUN chronographs are powered by the IWC manufactured 69380 calibre which like the Ingenieur features a soft-iron anti-magnetic inner case. Unique to the PILOT, the front glasses are specially secured to withstand sudden drops in air pressure in the cockpit. Handy feature if you are Goose flying with Maverick!
WatchGecko first observations:
No doubt IWCs are technically superb. (RB comment - as all my colleagues know I bitterly regret selling my Aquatimer Galapagos).
The only possible negative to the new Ingenieur is that it costs £10,500. When did these prices become the norm for what is, to all intents and purposes, a steel tool watch? IWC remain one of the mavericks (no pun intended) of the watch world with their rejection of organisations like COSC. But they still manage to technically stand high and keep making innovative watches that are instantly recognisable even if the brand name was hidden. It’s not easy to create and maintain such a successful watch company DNA.
Will another TOP GUN model shake up the watch world? Very unlikely as they all look so similar but it is hard not get behind the sheer coolness of a blue 41mm PILOT that any of us can wear. We have a sudden urge to play Kenny Loggins…
