Today, the IWC Ingenieur 40mm automatic watch was newly released. This new replica Ingenieur watch not only demonstrates IWC’s interpretation of reshaping classics, but also demonstrates their ability to reproduce classics. Looking back on the 1950s, IWC launched the first civilian anti-magnetic watch for professionals who need to work in strong magnetic field environments, such as engineers, physicists and doctors, and named it the Engineer Watch. The watch achieves an antimagnetic effect by wrapping a soft iron inner case between the movement and case. By the end of the 1960s, IWC launched a research and development project for a new Engineer watch. It planned to adopt a new case.
On the one hand, it highlighted the rugged and durable technical features of the Engineer series, and on the other hand, it got rid of its dependence on gold materials to adapt to the needs of quartz watches. The rise and end of the Bretton Woods system caused selling pressure to surge in gold prices. Under the influence of these factors, IWC began to develop the idea of using stainless steel to create luxury sports watches.
In 1967, Mr. Jero Genta designed a stainless steel chronograph for IWC, so the two parties were already familiar with each other. Therefore, in the early 1970s, IWC found Mr. Genta again and commissioned him to design a new engineer watch. After four years of development, the new Ingenieur SL watch, model 1832, was successfully released in 1976.
In addition to the screw-in bezel with five grooves, the most important feature of this new replica Engineer watch is its integrated chain and case shape. This design, which seemed somewhat eclectic at the time, has become one of the most distinctive features of all popular luxury sports watches today.
Compared with the replica Engineer SL watch, the new replica Engineer 40mm automatic watch not only perfectly inherits the design essence of Master Zunda, but also makes a new interpretation in every detail to meet contemporary needs. The first is the improvement of wearing comfort. The new watch has increased the distance between the bezel and the lugs. The total distance between the lugs of 45.7 mm ensures that the integrated lugs can have a larger arc. At the same time, the bracelet and the lugs are connected by an intermediate link, which gives the bracelet greater flexibility. Although I have not worn the SL, the comfort level has definitely been improved compared to previous generations of Engineers.
In terms of sophistication, the bezel and dial are a highlight. Since the five-pit groove bezel on the previous SL watch was screwed directly to the case, the location of the groove pattern is different on each watch, which is a nightmare for friends with obsessive-compulsive disorder. So this time the designer simply used five hexagonal screws to lock the bezel and case directly through the fixing holes, which perfectly solved this anxiety. The exquisite grid dial is inspired by the original work.
The new work’s grid is not only more refined and sculptural, but also available in a variety of colors. The new Ingenieur 40mm automatic watch is currently available in three stainless steel versions with different dial colors and a grade 5 titanium version, all equipped with IWC’s classic 32 series movement, with a power reserve of up to 120 hours. Although the performance of the 3 series movement is not as extreme as that of the 8 series, it is really thin. In this day and age, thickness is really crucial for a luxury sports watch.