IWC Schaffhausen Ingenieur Automatic Mission Earth, Ref. IW3236

Of all IWC Schaffhausen’s watches, the Ingenieur range reflects the high standards of technology and innovation like no other: it has been the ideal platform for top-quality technical expertise and development since 1955. In this search for the perfect mechanical watch, it has set new standards in terms of ruggedness, reliability and durability, which is also reflected in its striking, functional design. Within the IWC product families, the Ingenieur echoes the element of earth and, in the form of the enhanced Ingenieur Automatic Mission Earth, underlines explicitly its suitability for expeditions.In other words:it is extremely robust. Its IWC manufactured movement is shockproof and, in addition, is securely protected against extreme magnetic fields. Further, the watch is water-resistant to 12 bar.
The Ingenieur Automatic Mission Earth watch comes with an enlarged stainless steel case, significantly improved ergonomics for the wearer and new flank protection for the screw-in crown. The maximum investment in safety and reliability which has gone into the construction of the case continues on the inside: in the traditional soft iron inner case which guarantees magnetic field protection up to 80,000 A/m for the IWC manufactured 80110 calibre movement, and in the Pellaton winding mechanism with an integrated shock absorber.

The Ingenieur Automatic Mission Earth has been constructed for longevity and for sustainability in the truest sense of the word. Thus it has also become this manufactory’s statement on how consistent its manufacturing processes are in terms of environmental compatibility. Thanks to the improvements it has made in its environmental performance, IWC Schaffhausen was certified as a carbon neutral enterprise in 2007. This major theme, which could seal the world’s fate, has also been showcased in this new Ingenieur model.
With a case diameter of 46 mm, it has unquestionably become a member of IWC’s large calibre group – and even beats the Big Ingenieur model by half a millimetre. Yet there is no contradiction here: indeed,the latter is fitted with the largest calibre IWC manufactured movement of the 5000 family including seven days’ power reserve, from which the watch gets its name, and it also does not have the soft iron inner case. Even so, the new Ingenieur Automatic Mission Earth watch is, functionally and stylistically speaking, the original – an Ingenieur, pure and simple.To enable wearability to be improved even in the new dimensions,the lugs have been ergonomically optimised and drawn downwards to a greater extent. This produces a concave contact surface on the wrist.
Even with the integrated steel strap (IWC’s strap architecture without added screws) and despite a height of 15 mm, it is extremely comfortable to wear. The Ingenieur Automatic Mission Earth is also available with a black strap of pure rubber, which reduces its weight considerably. In both cases, the watch, which has been tested for pressure resistance to 12 bar, can also be worn in wet environments without restrictions. So as to give the screw-in crown added protection against lateral impact, even in extreme situations,the newly constructed case now sees the left side fitted with solid flank protection.

The IWC manufactured 80110 calibre movement with its Pellaton winding mechanism and spring mounted armature unit counts amongst the most robust automatic drive mechanisms in the world. This principle has been preserved magnificently in the Ingenieur family for over fifty years. The 80110 calibre movement is the direct successor to the 8541 calibre constructed and perfected by Albert Pellaton. The new movement has an increased balance wheel frequency of 4 Hz and a date display with rapid advance. The automatic spring bridge, taken from the old Pellaton mechanism, has been optimised through the latest computational methods. It absorbs impact from all directions.

The slight enlargement of the dial, designed in the classic style of the Ingenieur range, enhances its effect with small red minute numbers in increments of ten minutes positioned next to the hour markers. The arrowhead of the central seconds hand, too, is coloured signal red.

Technical details
Features
Classic Ingenieur in a 46 mm case with magnetic field protection to 80,000 A/m,IWC manufactured movement with Pellaton winding mechanism and integrated shockabsorber system, central seconds hand with stopping device, date with rapid advance via the crown.

Movement
Calibre L80110
Vibrations: 28,800/h
Jewels: 28
Power reserve: 44 h
Winding: Automatic

Case
Material: Stainless steel
Glass: Sapphire, antireflective
Back cover: Stainless steel, screw-in
Crown: Screw-in
Water resistant: 12 bar
Diameter: 46mm
Height: 15mm