The 4 Most Precise and Elegant Models in the Ingenieur Collection
Are you planning to purchase a premium watch as a form of reward for achieving your life-long dream such as becoming the senior manager in your workplace or traveling five countries in just a year? If so, then you are probably eyeing iconic pieces. But for some reason, you feel uncertain if they are worth your investment. It is normal to feel this way since you are about to spend hundreds to thousands of dollars.
The IWC Ingenieur is the best timepiece to start your collection due to several reasons. It is very versatile as you can use it as an everyday watch or a dress watch. It will not look out of place even if you are wearing a sweater and a pair of blue jeans or a black office suit. Before discussing the most precise and elegant models from the collection, let’s get to know its history first.
The history of IWC Ingenieur
The International Watch Company released the Ingenieur collection in 1954 under the references 666A and 666 AD. These timepieces featured the caliber created under the supervision of IWC’s Technical Director in 1994 named Albert Pellaton. Determined to design them for scientists and technicians, he decided to insert the movement into a soft iron cage with a case back that can withstand magnetic fields up to 80,000 amperes per meter.
It was the pioneer in producing scientist’s watches that a few years after its release, Rolex showed interest in the same subject. The company released their reference 6541 with the iconic Milgauss and stainless steel and oyster case with a rotating bezel.
The references 666A and 666 AD
The references 666A and 666 AD were the very first models in the IWC Ingenieur collection. They had elegant hands with hours, minutes, and central seconds that were suitable to use every day. The company designed them to provide collectors enthusiasts, and professionals, with a watch that can accurately tell the time amidst the presence of external factors. They featured Dauphine hands and lume plots allowing users to read the time with ease in dark places.
Besides withstanding magnetic fields, they can also resist water with a depth of 100m. To make the timepieces more elegant, there were versions with stainless steel case, gold case, and leather strap.
Gerald Genta’s design of the IWC Ingenieur
The International Watch Company requested Gerald Genta to redesign the IWC Ingenieur to match the needs of modern times. He turned the shape into a tonneau composed of a round bezel and guilloche dial. The changes were impressive but it remained true to its purpose of providing timepieces that can withstand external elements since it still had perfect timing capacity. The size became bigger measuring 40mm so watch collectors gave it the nickname of Jumbo.
Despite the great innovations made by Genta, it did not achieve high sales figures because of the timing of its release. It became available in the market in the middle of the Quartz crisis with only 1000 pieces.
The IWC Ingenieur watches today
The IWC Ingenieur watches today still have the typical design of Gerald Genta but with more complications. The original timepieces only featured a three-hand watch with a date function. You can now find models with perpetual calendar and chronograph split-second with a more fashionable style that you can use during formal and casual events.
Most elegant models in Ingenieur collection
1. The Ingenieur perpetual calendar date-month
Watch collectors consider this perpetual calendar date-month as the flagship watch of the Ingenieur collection. If you want a timepiece that can give you a sense of exclusivity, then this one’s for you. Since it is a limited edition model, the company produced only 100 pieces of it. To produce its large case diameter measuring 45mm, the company used titanium materials.
With this timepiece, you will not have any difficulty in reading the time because it features a slate-colored dial with large digital displays. You will also love its impressive technical abilities made possible by its in-house 89801 caliber movement.
2. The Ingenieur chronograph sport
If you think an elegant sports watch with an all-black motif would better suit your fashion sense, then this chronograph sport is for you. It is also a limited-edition timepiece with only 500 pieces. The company ensures that it can withstand adverse conditions by using titanium materials in manufacturing its 44mm case. Besides that, it has a soft-iron inner case that protects the intricate movements from the impacts of magnetic fields.
The timepiece features a tachymeter scale and chronograph function that displays the hours, minutes, and seconds. With its robust and versatile design, you can use it on different occasions.
3. The Ingenieur chronograph IW380802
The Chronograph IW380802 has the impressive caliber 68375 movements allowing it to tell the precise and accurate time anywhere you are. It has a case diameter that is smaller than the perpetual calendar date-month and chronograph sports models measuring 42.3mm. Its striking cobalt blue dial, three sub-dials with hour, minutes, and chronograph complication can easily attract anyone’s attention.
Even though it features several functions, it remains to have clean and easy-to-read dials. Once wound completely, it can last for up to 46 hours. It is also a reliable watch during diving activities because it can withstand water with a depth of 100m.
4. The Ingenieur automatic IW35700
The Ingenieur Automatic IW35700 has a caliber 351111 movement with a power reserve of 42 hours. It means that you can use it for more than a day after completely winding it. If you love a simple and minimalist watch, this one’s for you. It features a 40mm case and a dial with luminous silver-tone hands and indexes. To make it the perfect dress watch, the company decided to add a black strap manufactured using alligator leather.
In Conclusion
The International Watch Company never fails to combine Swiss precision, craftsmanship, and modern technology as seen from its Ingenieur timepieces. All of the listed models above have a stylish appearance and technical abilities so what more can you ask for? Get one from TheWatchCompany.com before stocks run out!
Salman Zafar is an ecopreneur, consultant, advisor, speaker and journalist with expertise in waste management, waste-to-energy, renewable energy, environment protection, conservation and sustainable development. His geographical areas of focus include Asia, Middle East, Africa and Europe. Salman is the Founder of EcoMENA, a popular voluntary organization based in Qatar. He is also the Founder and CEO of BioEnergy Consult, a reputed consulting firm active in biomass, waste-to-energy and waste management segments.
Salman is a professional environmental writer with more than 350 popular articles to his credit. He is proactively engaged in creating mass environmental awareness in different parts of the world.
Salman Zafar can be reached at salman@ecomena.org or salman@bioenergyconsult.com
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