Nilomis shares his accidental journey into collecting IWC Ingenieur watches, showcasing three distinct models that highlight the line's evolution. His post offers a personal perspective on the appeal of each reference, from vintage-inspired designs to modern interpretations. Readers gain insight into the diverse facets of the Ingenieur collection and its enduring charm.
Team,
In this fantastic hobby we face, from time to time, a collection theme (if I can call that) just by accident.
My fascination with the IWC Ingenieur started many years back but, at that time, I could not justify the sticker price of a three hand watch with a date.
The firstTime passes, tastes change and I got my first one.
Notice that I got my first Ingenieur because of the movement and based on the Pellaton winding system.
The simplicity of the Ingenieur Vintage Collection got into my skin and wrist and I notice that it got a lot of wrist time.
It’s accurate, simple, understated and beautiful.
I did the review of the Ingenieur Vintage Collection. To see,
click here .
The secondTime passes and one day, visiting the IWC Boutique here where I live (dangerous place for your wallet) I got another.
(IWC Boutique - Brazil)
It’s modern, 2013 edition, smaller (40mm) but with the vintage looks, as it was designed by Gerald Genta during the 70’s (with the AP Royal Oak and the Patek Nautilus).
It’s also my first incursion to the integrated bracelet, something that I was avoiding for years.
During the negotiation process, I also got a rubber strap to complement the coldness of the stainless steel bracelet.
The last?Other day, another Ingenieur was offered to me. It’s a 3227-03 (for AMG), pre owned but in great shape, except for the strap that the boutique promptly sold me a new one (costly but nice).
So I currently own three IWC Ingenieurs and I could not be happier.
The first one, from the vintage collection, is more dressy and the two other more on the sportive side.
Overall impressionsThe three watches are very well made and IWC paid the necessary attention to produce watches that exudates quality and delivers the impressions that are build to last.
MovementsTwo, the Vintage Collection and the AMG Ingenieur, shares almost the same in house movement, the IWC 80111 for the Vintage (because of the display back) and 80110 (non display back, soft iron cage) for the AMG.
The new one, 3239, uses a more pedestrian (but very reliable) ETA 2892-A2 movement to allow a thinner case that balances perfectly the case size (40mm). The 3239 don’t have a transparent case back and uses a soft iron cage to protect the movement against magnetic fields.
Precision testsTwo of my Ingenieurs were regulated by my watchmaker and are unbelievable accurate (deviations of less than two seconds / day).
The new one, 3239, is a tad faster (deviation around 3-5 seconds / day) but it didn’t pass for the “break in” period.
I will post more information about it as soon I wear it more and more.
Comfort on the wristWith my three Ingenieurs I have two different case designs but all offers an outstanding comfort on my wrist.
The Vintage Collection uses the “classic” watch design and the two others follow, with some variations, the original Gérald Genta 1970’s integrated bracelet design.
Strap / BraceletThe Vintage Collection arrived with a crocodile dark blue strap with the IWC pin buckle. The strap is 22/18mm.
I tried the Vintage Collection with several other straps (did I told you that I’m also a strap addict?) but finally I landed on the “holly land” of the Santoni’s made for IWC crocodile strap. The Santoni is, by far, the best dressy strap that I ever owned and the quality justifies the strap price.
After "tasting" an IWC strap by Santoni, my wrist screams: More!
The 3227-03 uses a special strap that adapts to the titanium case.
A textile material makes the strap externally with the internal part in soft leather. A titanium pin buckle comes with the watch.
Very comfortable and makes the watch head to “pop” on a nice way.
Finally the 3239 that comes with a steel bracelet that uses the classic and wonderful way that IWC uses to add/remove links.
This bracelet could be called perfect if it had some micro adjustment process.
See on the picture how the bracelet “glues” to the watch head perfectly, making a very pleasant integration.
As part of the acquisition process, I got also a rubber strap and the pin buckle that comes with the strap.
Giving how easy is the process of strap swap (the watch comes with a bronze tool but I prefer to use two toothpicks) sometimes I’m on all SS and on very warm and wet weather I prefer the rubber one.
Additional Pictures
SummaryWith three Ingenieur watches what I can say is that I’m happy with the theme and now I dream to add a vintage one (the “grail” 666?).
Cheers,
Nilo
This message has been edited by nilomis on 2013-12-21 12:10:24 This message has been edited by nilomis on 2013-12-21 16:15:29 
