The IWC Ingenieur is a masterpiece of watchmaking art and has enjoyed great popularity among watch collectors and enthusiasts for decades. First launched in 1955, the watch has undergone numerous changes over the years. Among others, Gérald Genta was involved in the further development of the Ingenieur. The technical ability of the luxury watch from Schaffhausen is outstanding.
Design and features of the IWC Ingenieur
The Swiss watch manufacturer invested a great deal of development time and technical expertise in the development of the IWC Ingenieur. The aim was to design a watch that is visually appealing and fulfils the highest technical demands. Reliable protection against magnetic fields and a high level of shock and water resistance made the watch stand out on the market right from the start. To this day, the IWC Ingenieur is considered a pioneer for anti-magnetic watches thanks to its soft iron inner case.
Around ten years later, the second generation followed, which was given a fresher, sportier and more contemporary look. The year 1976 marked a small turning point in the history of the IWC Ingenieur, as designer Gérald Genta gave the watch a completely new look. The old diving helmets served as inspiration for the appearance of the bezel, which gained in visual robustness thanks to five screws, without neglecting the sporty appearance. Another characteristic of Gérald Genta's watch was the millimetre dial.
Ingenieur Perpetual Calendar Digital Date Month
2017 marked a return to the old virtues of the 50s and 60s. The new flagship of the collection was the Ingenieur Perpetual Calendar Digital Date Month with a digital perpetual calendar, a chronograph function and a 45-millimetre case made of 18-carat red gold. An impressive watch from IWC that is highly coveted by collectors.
A new interpretation of the Genta design was created in 2023. The result was the Ingenieur Automatic 40, a new model with three hands and a sporty design. Buyers can choose between stainless steel, gold, carbon, ceramic or titanium for the material. If you don't want to commit to a specific model when buying, the continuous development of the IWC Ingenieur means you have a wide range of colours to choose from, with the Swiss company focusing primarily on classic colours. White, silver, a dark blue or black dominate the market.
Price of an IWC Ingenieur
The first pre-owned IWC Ingenieur models can be purchased for just over 3,000 euros. However, small refinements and technical details make the watches in this collection increasingly expensive. This is why many models cost between 5,000 and 11,000 euros. Gérald Genta's collector's items can be found in the higher price segment, with an Ingenieur Constant-Force Tourbillon in platinum with tourbillon and moon phase display reaching a price range of 150,000 euros.