IWC Schaffhausen Ingenieur Automatic

Of all the watches in the 2013 Ingenieur collection, the Ingenieur Automatic (Ref. IW323902, IW323904, IW323906) in stainless steel is the model that most visibly reflects the features typically associated with this watch family. The watch, with its three hands, has a timeless, clear-cut design.

The conspicuous bores in the bezel were the brainchild of watch designer Gérald Genta. In the case of the legendary Ingenieur SL unveiled in 1976, he placed the five functional holes directly on the bezel, where they originally served to hold it firmly in position. The bores, the entire structure of the case and the logo, incorporating the stylized bolt of lightning, soon became the hallmarks of the Ingenieur family.

Because of its low case height, the Ingenieur Automatic is fitted with the slim, automatic 30110-calibre movement. Water-resistant to 12 bar, the case also accommodates a soft-iron inner case for protection against magnetic fields. This technical feature was responsible for the watch family’s name because, in the 1950s, engineers, who were often exposed to magnetic fields in the course of their work, were among the potential buyers of the original Ingenieur from IWC Schaffhausen.

In order to guarantee protection against magnetic fields, the inner back plate, casing ring and dial are made of soft iron, which conducts magnetic flux lines around the movement. The protection provided – up to 40,000 amperes per metre – is more than eight times the minimum required by the Swiss standard for antimagnetic watches. Despite its elegant appearance, the Ingenieur Automatic is robust and ideally equipped for everyday use.

With a case measuring just 10 millimetres in height and 40 millimetres in diameter, the Ingenieur Automatic is equally well suited to a slimmer wrist. The slightly chamfered bezel features an integrated step, the overall effect being to make the watch look slimmer. All the surfaces of the case feature a matte finish. The various edges, most of which are polished, underscore the watch’s simple elegance.

The chunky screw-in crown is generously sized and shielded by solid protective shoulders. The raised inner circle on the dial has exactly the same radius as the hour hand, while the minute hand circumscribes the middle section with its purist hour markers. The central seconds hand extends as far as the outer chapter ring. Here, too, we find clarity and functionality down to the last detail, qualities underscored by the date window at “3 o’clock”.

The Ingenieur Automatic is available with a silver-plated or black dial. The silver-plated version comes with rhodium-plated or rose-gold-plated hands and appliqués, while the rhodium-plated hands and appliqués form an attractive contrast to the black dial.

The watch is fitted with a solid stainless-steel bracelet. A black rubber strap with a pin buckle is also available on request.

The new Ingenieur Automatic is the most classic Ingenieur model in the current collection. Elegant, functional and conscious of its tradition, it consistently reflects the design elements defined by legendary watch designer Gérald Genta.

Technical details

Model: IWC Schaffhausen Ingenieur Automatic
Ref. IW323902, IW323904, IW323906

Mechanical movement – Date display with crown-activated rapid advance – Central hacking seconds – Soft-iron inner case for protection against magnetic fields up to 40,000 A/m – Screw-in crown

Movement
Calibre 30110
Frequency 28,800 A/h / 4 Hz
Jewels 21
Power reserve 42 h
Winding automatic

Case, dial & strap
Ref. IW323902: stainless-steel case, black dial, rhodium-plated hands and appliqués, stainless-steel bracelet with folding clasp
Ref. IW323904: stainless-steel case, silver-plated dial, rhodium-plated hands and appliqués, stainless-steel bracelet with folding clasp
Ref. IW323906: stainless-steel case, silver-plated dial, rose-gold-plated hands and appliqués, stainless-steel bracelet with folding clasp

Glass: sapphire, flat, antireflective coating on both sides
Water-resistant: 12 bar
Diameter: 40 mm
Case height: 10 mm

• Know more about IWC Schaffhausen watch brand and its history.

• Discover more IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN watches (from 2011 to 2022).

• Discover IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN watches archives from 1990 to 2010.